Bugaboo Cameleon Stroller Review

Bugaboo Cameleon 2012

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Company Description

Bugaboo is a dutch company with its headquarters in Amsterdam and it has offices all over the world. It was established in 1999 by designer Max Barenbrug and physician Eduard Zanen.
The company moved to the USA in 2003 and it has been a real success story. Bugaboo strollers are some of the most sought after baby strollers on the market today.

Features

• Dimensions: 35.4″ long x 24″ wide
• Weight: 20 pounds
• 3 position seat
• Reversible handlebar
• Very compact
• Adjustable suspension
• Large sun canopy (water repellant)
• Large under-seat storage basket (6.3 gallons)
• Height adjustable handlebar
• All fabrics machine washable
• Mosquito net
• Rain cover
• Maintenance kit

Bugaboo Cameleon Stroller PROS

• Very lightweight for its size
• Large wheels
• Reversible seat or bassinet
• Very large sunshade on bassinet
• Very maneuverable
• Foam filled wheels
• 3 position seat tilts the entire seat (not just the back support)
• Adjustable handlebar height
• High seat/bassinet position
• Large under seat basket
• Easily removable wheels for storage (if required)
• Parking brake on handlebar
• All materials are washable
• Adaptable to various car seats

Bugaboo Cameleon Stroller CONS

• Carries children only up to 37.5 lbs (Uppababy Vista carries 50 lbs)
• Not as good as you would expect over rough ground
• The brake on the handlebar can snap back and hit your fingers quite hard
• Does not fold as easily as some other strollers
• Reversible handlebar places the large wheels in front which makes steering more difficult
• Can be tiresome if you need to constantly change between the seat and the bassinet

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Bugaboo Cameleon Reviews

Folding

Certainly the Cameleon folds into a compact size but it does have a major disadvantage here. It is not a one-hand operation and you also have to remove the seat. This is not a complicated process but it does slow you down when you are in a rush.

Bassinet

The bassinet comes with a carry handle (removable). This is very handy if you are leaving the stroller in a hallway and want to bring the bassinet to another location.
The sunshade in the bassinet is outstanding and it will really protect your baby from the sun. It allows your newborn baby to lay totally flat and facing towards you. A zippered cover will protect the babies lower body and a canopy protects the head.

Seat

The seat is removed by pressing  a large, square button on each side of the stroller. It is very easy to lift the seat and turn it 180°. It attaches securely every time with an audible “Clunk”
The seat has a 3-position recline. Unlike other strollers, this does not recline the back support, it reclines the whole seat and when fully reclined, your child will have no problem sleeping.

Wheels

The wheels are foam filled to protect against punctures. The suspension is adjustable and has four settings. This is more than adequate for all but the roughest ground. The swivel wheels can be locked but in the unlocked position they make the Bugaboo Cameleon Stroller very maneuverable.

Handlebar

The handlebar is reversible for use in the city or over rough terrain. Reversing the handlebar allows you to push the stroller in reverse. This is a handy feature to use when getting your child to face away from you. It is faster than removing the seat and turning it.
When in the reverse mode, the larger tires are at the front and this is great for  soft ground or loose surfaces but it does make steering a little more difficult as the swivel wheels are now at the rear.
The parking brake is positioned on the handlebar and is easy to reach. Releasing the parking brake causes the brake handle to snap back quite fast so you need to be careful not to get your fingers hit by it.
The handlebar on the Bugaboo Cameleon Stroller is height adjustable and can extend by 8 inches. It is not a push button system and requires you to adjust friction knobs on either side of the handlebar.

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Conclusion

The Bugaboo Cameleon Stroller is certainly an expensive stroller in the luxury range. Anyone who knows anything about strollers will recognize this stroller. Other parents will quiz you about its features.
This stroller is also a status symbol. Some parents want to let everyone see what a super stroller they have.
Everything about the Bugaboo Cameleon Stroller exudes quality. It functions well and it will cater superbly for your children from ages 0 to 4 years.
modular
A unique 3-in-1 design adapts to car seats, reversible bassinet and reversible seat.




bassinet
When not in their parents’ arms, it’s best for infants to rest flat on their backs. On the chassis or the nursery floor, the Bugaboo bassinet with built in aerated seat inlay provides a safe, home-in-bed feeling wherever you go.




big wheels forward
Reverse the handlebar to go with the tread covered, foam-filled, 12-inch wheels forward and master hiking trails, gravel paths, and other rough roads.




two-wheel position
The Bugaboo Cameleon switches easily from four wheels to two so that you glide over sand or snow.




modular fold
The modular fold of the Bugaboo Cameleon collapses the stroller easily into two lightweight pieces to fit a trunk or closet.

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Bugaboo Cameleon Assembly

If you decide to buy Bugaboo Cameleon, it will come in two boxes.

Parts Come In Two Boxes:

Box 1

• 2 Big wheels
• 2 small wheels
• Frame handle
• Seat frame
• Chassis
• Fabric for basket
• Fabric for seat
• Fabric for bassinet
• Bassinet mattress

Box 2

• Canopy
• Apron for the bassinet
• Seat cover

Assembly

Assemble the frame by attaching the wheels to the chassis. The big wheels go on the rear and the small wheels attach at the front. They slide in and you will hear them click and lock into position.
When the small wheels are attached you will see a knob appear at the other side of the opening where they slide in.
Attach the basket. Make sure the logo is facing the rear. The velcro side straps are at the front and these should be wrapped around the chassis. There are four attachment points. Two in the front and two that attach to the center cross bar.
To set up the bassinet:

• First, make sure you know which side of the frame is the head side and which side is the foot side. The head side has smooth rubber on the frame and the foot side has rough rubber on the frame. You will notice a silver pin on the outside of the frame on the foot side.
• To find the head side and foot side on the bassinet fabric, take note of where the zipper is located. This is the foot side and where the apron will connect. make sure that the plastic stiffeners are still inside their slots at the head and the foot. These may have fallen out and may be loose in the box that the stroller arrived in.
• Use the velcro straps to attach the bassinet fabric to the frame ensuring that the head of the fabric is attached to the head of the frame. Do not forget to attach the two velcro straps at the bottom of the frame where the frame will attach to the chassis.
• The bassinet can now be attached to the chassis.
• Place the mattress on the bottom of the bassinet.
• Zip the apron into place.
• Click the handle bar into place across the center.
• Attach the canopy making sure that the bugaboo logo is at the outside. The canopy clicks into attachment points on each side at the center.

To Set up the seat:

• Remove all of the fabric from the bassinet. This can be done while the frame is still attached to the chassis.
• Find the head of the seat fabric.
• Slide the pocket opening over the smooth end of the frame and attach the two velcro straps at the bottom (foot) end.
• The side straps are  harder to attach and you may need help. These attach to the silver pins on the frame. If necessary, put the frame on its side and push down on the frame to bend it a little to allow the hole on the strap to line up with the silver pin.
• Attach the extra padding by lifting up the existing seat padding and then sliding the extra padding over the seat as before. Feed each of the safety straps through the holes in the extra padding. Fold the existing seat base back into position again. Attach the frame handle.

Your Bugaboo Cameleon is now fully assembled.