Bugaboo Cameleon Stroller: A Dreamy Ride

Bugaboo Cameleon Stroller with Paul Frank Tailored Fabrics in Skurvy

Bugaboo Cameleon stroller ($899) offers bouncy suspension, an ultralight push, reversible seat,  height-adjustable handlebar, and rear foam tires. The Dutch company just turned 10 years old and also offers the Frog, Gecko and Bee Strollers.

The handle is also reversible, so your child can instantly face you — just click of the side buttons and raise the handles over the seat. There are three ways to use the wheels: city position, rough terrain position, and 2-wheel position.

Putting It Together
Like the other Bugaboo models, the Cameleon comes in two parts: the chassis and the seat. Just attach the two rear foam wheels and the two front swivel wheels. Then attach either the carrycot, the seat, or a Graco, Peg Perego and Maxi-Cosi Infant Car Seat, with the car seat adaptor (sold separately, $45).

The Ride
The Cameleon’s suspension is one of the best I’ve ever encountered. The back tires are 12″ foam and the front wheels are 6″ lockable swivel wheels. Switch to rough terrain position (so the larger tires are in the front) if you are going on uneven terrain or encounter a lot of broken pavement. You can also switch it to 2-wheeled position for beach use with loose sand or in snow. Despite the big wheels, the Cameleon is not suitable for jogging.

The Seat
The Cameleon comes standard with a carrycot and a seat. We tested the seat only — which has three positions: upright, semi-reclined and flat. The seat can be used forward or rear facing. If you decide you want to change the way your child is facing, you can flip the handle over (by pressing and lifting the handle over the seat) and instantly turn your child’s view of the world around. The 5-point harness was easy to adjust. A car seat adaptor for Graco, Peg Perego and Maxi-Cosi car seats is available separately.

Storage
The Cameleon has a fabric storage basket attached that can be hard to access if the seat is reclined fully.

Sun/Weather Exposure
The sun canopy was generous and fully protected my child from the sun. For hotter weather, you have the option of the Breezy Sun Canopy ($39, on sale in fleece pink, black, sand and red at Let’s Go Strolling for $14) which has mesh air vents.

The Fold
This is a two piece, compact fold. First take the seat off by pushing in the white square buttons on the sides of the seat and lift up.

To fold the chassis: Make sure the chassis is in the 4-wheel position, put the handlebar above the large wheels, pull the two white release knobs towards you and while pulling the handlebar down, place it on the floor. Then grasp the center shaft and lift everything up. The chassis, wheels and handlebar should fall against each other.

Available Accessories
A rain cover is included. Additional accessories for purchase include: a parasol, footmuff, the Breezy Sun Canopy, a transport bag, a cup holder, car seat adapter, diaper bag, backpack, and a wheeled board for use with an older child. Tailored fabric sets like the limited edition Paul Frank designs are also available.

Pros: Amazing suspension, comfortable reversible seat, featherlight push.

Cons: You have to remove the seat to fold it and the price is on the highest end of the stroller spectrum.

Final Verdict: I love the Cameleon. If you are looking for a smooth ride and don’t mind the two part fold, you’ll love the Cameleon too.

– Nancy

CBB Deal: Use code BUGCAMFG at Letsgostrolling.com for a free gift with purchase of a Cameleon. Expires September 30, 2009 or while supplies last.

Comments

oooh i love the Bugaboo cameleon and frog!!! dont own one but when i have a baby i would love one!! can anyone explain why and how u can change the wheels to suit your terrain? sounds cool!

- maggie on May 19th, 2009

Hi Maggie,
I’m the review’s author. To change so the larger wheels are in front, first take the baby out, then push the white buttons in and push the handlebar OVER the seat. You may want to change your child’s seat around to face the way you prefer (either before or after. Then you should be good to go. I found that the steering was much better with the smaller wheels in front. To put it in beach mode. Make sure the child and seat are NOT on the chassis, push the white buttons in to move the wheels and handlebar into alignment. Then put the seat on and child in (you’re going to need someone to hold the baby and then put them in because the stroller will not stand up alone this way).

- nanjhnyc on May 19th, 2009

hey nanjhnyc thanks soo much for the reply!!!

- maggie on May 19th, 2009

I had the frog and CL-ed it! Huge waste of money IMO. It is a cool idea to be able to see baby for the first 6 months but there are other reversable strollers for much much less than $900!!! Everyone who has a bugaboo ends up selling it around 1 year as the fold is a pain and the stroller is not so hot when used forward facing. I got a baby jogger city mini (and now there double classic) and i would never go back to a bugaboo after falling in love with my mini It’s all about the “status” with this stroller……

- hillary on May 19th, 2009

Well I bought the cameleon when my son was born. He’s 28 months now and I still love this stroller. I live in a city where sidewalks can be a foot high, missing pavement etc etc. This stroller has gone through Saharan sands, the streets of paris, through snow rain and intense sun and it’s in perfect shape still. I love it and I’ll use it for baby 2 too.

- noa on May 19th, 2009

I bought my pink Cameleon for my daughter’s birth in Jan 07 and still absolutely love it. We use it every day, usually twice (school drop off and pick ups) and must’ve walked over a thousand miles with it!

It’s been worth every penny and I’d recommend it to anyone. Both my sons had three different buggies because of various problems/wear and tear so I don’t actually think this one has cost me as much more as I first thought it would, if that makes sense?!

The Bugaboo rocks

- Ruthella on May 20th, 2009

I love the bugaboo! Since i don’t own a car folding and unfolding the stroller is not really an issue and the suspension is marvellous for walking on uneven surfaces, both for the baby and the person who pushes the stroller. I think that the people who sell their Bugaboo within a year probably drive a lot and don’t have to deal with tram tracks, cobblestones, stairs and cracked pavements on a daily basis, with the stroller as only mode of transport. This is a stroller for people who walk, not people who drive.

- MiB on May 25th, 2009