3 Wheel Buggies
3 wheel buggies provide excellent maneuverability with a stylish and streamlined frame. Many of them have seats made of fabric that have an incredibly comfortable lie flat bed and perfect weight distribution, perfect from birth.
The wheels are larger and often have suspension to allow for smooth, agile moving on different terrains. The only downside to these wheels is that they tend to be heavier and bulkier to store and transport.
Stability
Three-wheel buggies offer lots of stability. They don't fall over as easily when you are moving straight. You can also manoeuvre them more quickly. If you turn or stop abruptly, they could lose stability and tip over. To avoid this, certain manufacturers add an additional wheel to their three wheel buggy designs in order to improve the stability of the chassis.
The additional wheel can also help you to tackle off-road terrain. Find models that have air-filled tires (also known as pneumatic tyres) that can be used to handle off-road trails, sand, dirt, as well as other surfaces, such as sand and rock. They'll also usually include the option of locking the front wheel to add stability over really rough ground.
With the correct design, engineering and weight distribution, these buggies can turn on a dime and are easy to steer with one hand; feature 360o front swivel wheels that allow mobility and agility to be easy and light to handle. They'll also be able to pass the same rigorous stability standards and tests as the 4-wheel buggies.
If you're looking for a cloth sling, then they tend to be set lower in the frame than modular seats, so that your baby's centre of gravity is closer to the ground which means a smoother ride and less kerb pop (you do not need to apply as much pressure or exertion to get the buggy over and up a kerb).
Maxi-Cosi is a household name for its car seat collection However, it has recently expanded its product line with the Citylife lightweight travel system and pushchair. This 3-in-1 is perfect for urban life, and comes with a baby car seat or carrycot. It comes with 4 wheels and has an exclusive pewter black aluminium frame, which the company claims is 'light and compact'. It's only 2cm wider than the Babyzen Yoyo.
Folding
There's a good choice of 3 wheel buggies that fold down to fit into smaller spaces. A lot of these buggies can be folded in one hand, and are easy to clean. 3 wheel pushchair will feature an easy height adjustment for the handlebar, whereas others may have an adjustable suspension and an expandable 50+ UV canopy. They may also feature a large, spacious basket and a brake lever with quick release.
The most efficient 3 wheeler for rough terrain
A 3-wheeler will typically be more able to deal with off-road terrain than one with four wheels, however both can get stuck in difficult places. A model with larger front and rear wheels can assist. This will make it easier to push them across rough terrain and can aid in getting up and down high curbs.
One option is the new Roma Atlas, which has been praised for its agile handling despite its 3-wheel design. MFM reviewer Kath tried it with her baby and her 3-year-old, and said "it is very well-handled over bumpy pavements, cobbles gravel tracks and dirt roads, as well as on a few hills."
Another alternative is the new all-terrain 3 wheel buggy made by Maxi-Cosi's car seat brand named Stella. It is suitable for babies from birth, if it is used in conjunction with a carrycot. It's a bit bigger than the lightweight 4-wheelers, but it has air-filled tires, three recline positions, and an easy fold with one hand.
Its primary selling point is its modularity. It's compatible across all the brand's baby strollers and car seats. This means you can create your ideal travel system for your day-to-day or longer walks, using only the chassis as a foundation.
Tyres
The tyres of 3 wheel buggies are available in a variety of designs and materials, and each has its pros and cons. For instance, tyres that are filled with air provide a smooth performance and a smooth ride, whereas foam-filled tyres are more durable. The type you select will depend on your lifestyle and the location you live in.
If you plan to travel on roads that are not paved or rough terrain often you may want to consider a three-wheeler equipped with more robust tyres. You should also consider the type of suspension you need. Strong suspension is useful for handling bumps and humps, but it can be heavy and add to the overall weight of your pushchair.
Another crucial aspect to take into consideration is tyre size. Knowing how to determine the sizing of a tyre is essential for maintaining safety as well as performance and durability. The combination of letters and numbers on the sidewalls of tyres can seem confusing at first, but decoding it helps you understand the tyre's dimensions. For example, a tyre size of '185/70 R14 is a sign that the tire is a 185/70 radial with a 14-inch rim diameter.
In addition to being more durable, PU tires are lighter and more puncture-resistant than rubber ones. If you're unsure whether the tires on a pushchair are rubber or PU tires, try sliding the tires on a smooth surface and tie them. If they move easily, then the tires are made from PU. If not, then they are made of rubber.
Suspension
The suspension on a three wheel buggy is an essential element to look for as it absorbs the bumps and knocks of rough terrain making it more comfortable for your child. Large wheels that are air-filled, and that can be locked to provide stability when jogging are also crucial. This will enable your buggy to navigate off-road surfaces with ease.
Based on the type of buggie you're looking for There are options that will fit all lifestyles and budgets. For example the Mountain Buggy pioneered all terrain agility with its three-wheel buggies. With an engineering and geometry that is perfect their sling seat made of fabric is tucked away inside the frame, in contrast to being on top of modular seats, resulting in an lower center of gravity and sitting at the ideal height for the best weight distribution that allows it to easily handle the kerb pops.
Another great option is the Urban Glide 2 from Thule that boasts a sleek style with large highly manoeuvrable front wheel, excellent suspension, and a simple handbrake with a twist. MFM reviewer Kath tested the buggy its paces by going for a ride through rough terrain. She found that it was able to handle it very well and said that it "navigates over grass, bumpy cobbles, sidewalks, and dirt tracks, and makes it easy to go up and down kerbs".
The Roma Atlas, like the Urban Glide 2 is a popular off-road option. It is available in a variety of colours that match your style. It also comes with an adjustable handlebar, a large basket, and a 50+ UV hood. You can also select from a range of infant car seats that convert the buggy to a pram. This includes the stylishly designed Carrycot Plus(tm) which is a comfortable, flat bed for newborns or babies from 12 months old.
Safety
Four wheels make a buggy more stable, less likely for it to tip over, and more easy to maneuver. It is also safer for your child because the weight of their body is evenly distributed across the frame.
A four-wheeler is also likely to have a lower center of gravity and therefore is easier to pop up and over curbs. The fabric sling seat sits in the frame instead of on top of it like modular seats do, which creates a low seating position and a lighter buggy that is easily maneuverable.
If you're looking to run with your child, an all-wheeler is the best option. It has a suspension system which allows the front wheel to be independent from the rear one. This allows you to take on rough terrain or bumpy roads. However, not all 4 wheel buggies can be used for running. The exception is Mountain Buggies which have a specially designed suspension system that has been independently tested on all kinds of terrain.