Bugaboo have finally launched the Bee Plus; billed as a new and improved version of the original Bugaboo Bee parents everywhere have high hopes that the new Bee 2010 will iron out the little niggles found with the original Bee, first released in 2007, whilst retaining the features that made the Bee such a popular stroller in the first place.
Although the compact and lightweight Bee, from Bugaboo is an exceptionally popular model there has been a common thread through the inevitable criticisms. The most common fault found with the Bee has been the small size of the seat unit - Bugaboo state that the pushchair can be used from birth, right up to 4 years - however many parents found that the seat unit was a snug fit for larger toddlers. Thankfully Bugaboo have corrected this and the Plus model boasts a more generous, wider seat unit with both an height-adjustable back rest and extendable seat base.
Another welcome addition is the ergonomically moulded back rest; this, combined with the added flexibility of the seat unit means that there is a big emphasis on improved comfort with the new Bee. Another new feature of the Bee Plus is a five point safety harness, which can be adjusted along with the seat unit to provide a perfect fit, for both comfort and safety as your child grows from newborn right up to toddler.
Bugaboo have also tweaked the chassis to build upon the original innovations of the Bee, improving the breaking system and adding a circular joint reverse system to make changing the seat position from front to back easier. Previously the seat unit had to be detached from the chassis to switch from rear to forwards facing, however, the new circular joint means the seat unit can be easily reversed. The wheels have also been redesigned, giving them a chunkier appearance, reminiscent of the first Bugaboo buggy, the Frog. Added to the 4 wheel individual suspension the larger sized, foam filled wheels provide excellent protection from bumpy ground and offer a smooth and light ride.
Appearance wise there have also been some slight tweaks to the original Bee design - the unpopular padded "wings" on the seat unit have gone and the distinctive sun canopy, which was already generous, has been enlarged and now has a larger hood to offer even greater sun protection.
So far the response to the new and improved Bugaboo Bee has been positive and indeed, Bugaboo have a good track record of sensitively adapting their designs to incorporate feedback on their designs; their current three in one pushchair, the Cameleon, is the culmination of years of work tweaking the designs of the original Bugaboo Frog and the later Gecko pram. Clearly, Bugaboo have taken their time and put a great deal of thought into launching the Bee Plus in order to offer parents a great, practical and durable pushchair that will see them from the birth of their child right through to the end of the toddler years.
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