Bexie has a sticky handled one also, she's tried everything I think and still sticky.

Yes covers come off, there are like button holes that attach it to frame.

Try a little washing up liquid on a damp cloth - I had this and it did get better after a while

I have a 2 year old Mclaren, mine has been used very little, it still looks just out the shop, we only bought it for holiday so it was only used for that, i started using it and the handles were sticky after about a week of it being brand new. My daughters sudo gran pushed it and with no comment from me said, 'what horrible handles, they are all sticky'. Ths is a problem that has been going on for years with the xt's. I am a nanny and have used loads, they are all the same. People have opinions about why, the one I beleive is that sun cream does it, but no evidance. You can not wash the handles with anything. Cling film can work but it peals slightly, someone said talc, someone said handcream. The best thing I think i have found is 0 baby socks from tesco, they are white though and look odd, so I died them grey but would not work in the rain. I have asked mothercare to ask Maclaren about this, they said they have never herd of the problem but I know for a fact people are emailing them complaining about it. I asked to buy some quest handles but apparently they refused to sell them, you can only get new handles by sending your pram to Mclaren and having them do it which costs £60, I could get a new buggy for that. I definatly would never buy an XT again, as the irritation of the handles outways any thing the pram has to offer, I would get the quest.

A word of advise to all, a lady on gumtree called Kellie and she is selling on ebay as well is selling foam handles that she says go over the handles. its obvious they are bike handle bar foam, we checked the bike shop. We bought them, they do not work, they end up braking no matter how much so called lubricant you use. Did find though vasaline helps with the sticky handles.

I currently have 2 XT chassis in my house with sticky handles. I think if you can find a maclaren service centre directly it's cheaper than going via mothercare - I was quoted about £30 for the handles here in London

I am currently using a pair of grey primark child sports socks and lovely and cusioned, but looks odd. In the hot weather the handles obviously melted and bits got gouged out too - so beware the sticky handles getting hot

Buy some of the tape people use for 're-gripping' tennis racket handles - from a sport shop. Is working a treat for us!

I had mine replaced through a maclaren authorised dealer for £25 and they put a later version handle on

Aren't maclaren obliged to replace faulty parts if they are not fit for purpose? Has anyone asked trading standards.
Perhaps they could help investigate by having the handle material lab tested to prove its disintegration of handle and not a coating of suncream.
I have heard so many complaints here about this same issue. It's a very common complaint and I don't see why customers are expected to pay to fix this defect.
Pushchairs should be fit for purpose and durable. Reasonably it could be argued for up to 4 years.
If everyone that had this issue wrote to maclaren (in writing) with pics and asked to have the handles replaced under frame lifetime warranty (and requested response in writing) this might get their attention. Then if maclaren (dare) respond in writing stating they won't then take the letter and buggy to trading standards and see if they can help.

Mine have been getting sticky for months now, only when wet though. I find when it rains, loads of blackish stuff comes off all over my hands.

I keep meaning to wash them, to get the coating off for good, but a) don't know if it would work, or just keep on coming off till there was no handle left, and b) have forgotten

I do think it's a common problem. Our buggy is about 2yo though so no point complaining?

I put a pair of dds socks over mine.

Well if it helps anyone I rang Maclaren this morning...they weren;t prepared to discuss it really, but they did say the handles have now been changed (in 2010 apparently). I asked if the problem is covered in the warranty, they refused to comment and said take it to the place I got it from and they would have a look.

I rang the shop I got it from 2 years ago (local dealer, independant) and they said that as far as they know, Maclaren haven;'t said if they have changed the handles now or remedied the problem BUT they have admitted they are aware there is a problem.
So the shop said they are willing and able to replace the handles for me under the lifetime warranty, and will order the new handles from Maclaren and ring me when they come in. They have their own engineer to do the work.

Thought it might help someone.

Oh and they looked me up on their system - I bought it in summer 2009. I don't have to pay for new handles.

No one should have to imo