I love this stroller! I have a travel system and I just don't like it. It's too bulky, and I don't like that I can't see my baby in it except through the little plastic window in the canopy. I wanted a stroller that would have my baby facing me, and I also wanted it to be lightweight, maneuverable, growable (with my babe)...this stroller is it!
Forward/backward facing: You can flip the seat or bassinet to face either direction, and you can also flip the handlebars to wheel in either direction (see below, under maneuverability). It's very easy to switch which way the seat/bassinet faces, just push a button on each side. It's also to change the tilt of the seat (the bassinet doesn't really tilt), again, just push a button one each side; .
Maneuverability: This is a very lightweight stroller, and maneuvers like a champ! The big, air-filled tires handle rugged terrain, and the small tires make it ridiculously easy to turn. You can reverse the handlebars so that with either set is in front. Lead with the big set when you need better traction, lead with the small set the rest of the time (for easier steering; it's somewhat awkward to steer with the big tires in front). When I hit a snowy patch on the sidewalk, I simply flip the handle so that I'm leading with the big tires, and it's easy to get through. You can also switch to using just two wheels and dragging the stroller behind you like a rollaboard suitcase (only with the seat, not the bassinet, and only facing forward, all for obvious safety reasons). I haven't had occasion to use it that way just yet, but I'm trying to plan something so that I will get to!
Growable: It comes with the necessary stuff for the bassinet and the seat, meaning it's good from birth until you reach the weight limit (40lbs). You can also buy the attachable wheeled board to accomodate a standing 2nd child (I plan to do that when we have our second). There are accessories to make the frame able to hold an infant car seat, though I don't plan to get those (infant car seats are a waste, get a convertible car seat!) The bassinet is somewhat more unwieldy than the chair, because it doesn't collapse as easily, so it's a bit harder to take in your car. Remember that all the pieces come apart pretty easily, so you can unvelcro and collapse if it won't fit in your trunk as is.
Durability: I'll let you know in a few years. I don't doubt it'll last through all my kids, though, this is fine craftsmanship. All fabric bits are machine washable.
Taking it with you: You do have to take it apart into 2 pieces, but it's so easy to do, it's really not a big deal. All of the pieces come apart with the push of one or two buttons, and they pop back together easily. This is a very thoughtfully designed stroller.
Looks: This is a fine looking stroller! I get comments and compliments every time I use it. That's no reason to buy a stroller, of course, but it's a fun extra.
Versus the other Bugaboos: The Chameleon has some other bells and whistles, I didn't need them, don't know much about them. What the Frog has that the Gecko doesn't: The fabric is lined with a soft lining, including the canopy, I don't think the Gecko's is. The Frog also has the bumper bar, which is removable, but makes it easier to take the bassinet/seat on and off. The Frog's seat/bassinet can be used separately from the frame, but I don't think the Gecko's can.
Overall, this is a great stroller. The only negative is the price, which would generally be prohibitive for me, but it's the one expensive item we bought for our baby. Of the things you can splurge on, this is one that is really worth it. Check out their website for little video clips of people using the stroller ([...])