On their website they note that they they noticed an increase in customer feedback about shimmying Bugaboo Bee front wheels at the end of 2010. In order to optimise the stroller’s performance they changed the original metal bearing wheels to plastic bearing wheels early 2011. At that time research had shown that by using plastic bearings, more friction was added to the wheels and this stopped the wheels from shimmying.
The first production run from January to March 2011, however, contained plastic bearing swivel wheels that were not up to their quality standards. While this flaw was instantly corrected in subsequent production runs some customers reported that their front wheels did not swivel as they should as a result of this flaw. Those customers were serviced by sending an improved replacement set of wheels, with plastic bearings.
Despite this, complaints from consumers have continued causing the company to conclude that the solution to prevent shimmying wheels by changing the original metal bearing wheels to plastic bearing wheels has, as an unintended consequence, led to an increased probability for non-swiveling wheels.
Further tests have found that there is a small chance that the stroller’s front wheels could jam, which could potentially make the stroller tip over. In light of this Bugaboo has made the decision to stop shipment and sales of the Bugaboo Bee until they can to solve this issue.
Until a service solution is in place Bugaboo is strongly advising Bee owners to lock the swivel wheels of their Bugaboo Bee when in use. It is worth noting that the front wheels will then no longer swivel and will impair the maneuverability of the stroller.
Parents and caregivers who have a Bee with production date January 2011 up to and including September 2011, we will proactively send out a cost free service solution including a wheel replacement set with metal bearing wheels to prevent non-swiveling. This wheel replacement set will be available within 3 weeks.
If you have registered your Bugaboo Bee with Bugaboo, they will contact you and send you a service solution. We expect to send out wheel replacement sets to our registered customers 3 to 4 weeks from now.
If you have not registered your Bugaboo Bee, please fill out this contact form, so they can send their service solution directly to your home address within 3 to 4 weeks from the moment of registration.
For more information please visit Bugaboo’s site for customer service information.
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