3 Wheel Buggies
3 wheel buggies offer superb maneuverability with a stylish and streamlined frame. Many of these have a fabric sling with an incredibly comfortable lay flat bed that is perfect for weight distribution and are ideal starting at birth.
The wheels are larger and often have suspension to ensure smooth, agile moving on different terrains. The only downside is that they could be heavier and bulkier to store and transport.
Stability
Three-wheel buggies offer lots of stability. They don’t tip over as easily when you are moving straight. You can also manoeuvre more swiftly. If you stop or turn abruptly, they can lose stability and tip over. Some manufacturers add an additional wheel to their 3-wheel buggy designs to improve the stability of the chassis.
You can also tackle off-road terrain by adding an extra wheel. Look for models that have air-filled tires (also called pneumatic tyres) that are able to take on off-road paths, sand and mud, and other surfaces, such as sand and rock. These models will also feature a lockable wheel on the front to increase the stability of the vehicle over rough terrain.
The buggies are easy to maneuver and agile, thanks to a 360o front swivel wheel. They also meet the same stability standards globally and tests as buggies with four wheels.
If you are in the market for a seat made of fabric they are typically smaller in the frame as compared to modular seats. This means that your baby’s centre of gravity will be closer to the ground – instantly ensuring a smoother ride.
Most well-known for its car seats, Maxi-Cosi has recently added a lightweight pushchair and travel system to its line-up with the eye-catching Citylife. This 3-in-1 model is designed for urban living and is compatible from birth with a newborn carrycot or infant car seat. It has 4 wheels and has an exclusive pewter black aluminium frame, which the brand claims is ‘slim and compact’. It’s only 2cm wider than the Babyzen Yoyo.
Folding
There’s a variety of 3 wheel buggies that fold compactly to fit in smaller spaces. Many of these buggies can be folded with one hand, and are easy to clean. Some of the smallest models come with a simple handlebar height adjustment, whereas others come with adjustable suspensions and a 50+ UV canopy that can be extended. Certain models may come with large baskets and a brake lever that is quick-release.
The most efficient 3 wheeler for rough terrain
A 3-wheeler is likely to be more able to deal with off-road terrain than one with four wheels, however both models can get stuck in tight places. But, picking a model with larger wheels on both sides can be beneficial. This makes it easier to push them over rough terrain, and can assist you in climbing up and down steep curbs.
The brand new Roma Atlas has been praised by many for its surprising agility despite its 3-wheeled design. MFM reviewer Kath has tested it with her infant and said that “it did really well on cobbles, bumpy surfaces and dirt roads, gravel tracks and even a few hills.”
Another great alternative is the new all-terrain 3 wheel buggy from Maxi-Cosi, a car seat manufacturer 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 with three recline positions and a single-hand fold.
Its most appealing feature is its modularity it’s compatible with all of the car seats for infants from the brand and strollers. This means you can build your ideal travel system for day-today or longer walks, using only the chassis as a base.
Tyres
The tyres for 3 wheel buggies come in many styles and materials. Each one has its own pros and cons. Air-filled tyres, for example offer an effortless ride and superior maneuverability, while foam-filled tires are more durable. The kind of tyre you pick will be determined by your lifestyle and where you reside.
For instance, if you are planning to travel frequently on rough or muddy terrain, you might want to consider a 3-wheeler that has sturdier tyres. You should also consider the type of suspension you require. A strong suspension is ideal to handle bumps and humps, but it can be heavy and add to the overall weight of your pushchair.
Another aspect to be considered is the size of the tyre. Understanding the tyre size is important for safety, performance, and durability. The combination of letters and numbers on a tyre sidewall may be confusing however, once you understand it, you’ll be able to comprehend the dimensions of the tyre. A tyre that has an 185/70 size R14 for instance is a radial tire in the 185/70 size with 14-inch rim diameter.
In addition to being more durable, PU tires are also lighter and more puncture resistant than rubber ones. If you are unsure if a pushchair’s tires are rubber or PU, simply slide the tires across an even surface. If they slide easily, then the tires are made from PU. If not, they are made of rubber.
Suspension
The suspension of a 3 wheel buggy is an essential component to look for because it absorbs the bumps and knocks of rough terrain, making it much more comfortable for your baby. Large wheels that are air-filled, and can be locked to ensure stability when jogging are also essential. This will allow your buggy to travel on off-road surfaces with ease.
Depending on the type of buggy you’re looking for There are options that will fit all lifestyles and budgets. The Mountain Buggy, for example, pioneered all-terrain agility in three wheel pushchair-wheel buggies. With perfect geometry and engineering their fabric sling seat sits snug within the frame, as opposed to sitting on top like modular seats, providing the lowest centre of gravity and sitting at the right height for the best weight distribution that allows it to easily handle kerb pops.
Another option that is worth considering is the Urban Glide 2 from Thule that boasts a sleek style with a massive, manoeuvrable front wheel, excellent suspension and an easy-to-use twist handbrake. MFM reviewer Kath put this buggy to the test by taking it for an excursion through the rough terrain and she found that it adapted to the terrain well. She said that it ‘flies effortlessly over bumpy grass, cobbles, roads dirt tracks, and makes light work of getting up and down the kerbs’.
The Roma Atlas is another popular off road option and like the Urban Glide 2, comes in a range of colours to complement your style. It also comes with a movable handlebar and a spacious basket. You can also choose from a selection of infant car seats that convert the buggy into a pram, including the stylishly designed carrycot plus(tm) which is a cosy lie flat crib for babies and infants that are up to 12 months old.
Safety
Four wheels make the pushchair much more stable, less likely to tip and easier to handle. It is also safer for your child as the weight of their body is evenly dispersed across the frame.
A four-wheeled buggy also tends to have a lower center of gravity and therefore is more easy to roll over curbs and up the stairs. The fabric sling seat sits within the frame, not sitting on top like modular seats. This creates a low seating position and a comparatively lighter buggy that can be easily maneuvered.
If you want to run with your child, then an all-wheeler is the best option. It has an suspension system that allows the front wheel of the buggie to move independently from the rear. This allows you to tackle rough terrains or bumpy roads. However there are some limitations to four-wheel buggies can be used for running. Mountain Buggies are the exception since they feature a suspension system specifically designed for them that’s been tested by an independent expert across all kinds of terrain.