3 Wheel Buggies
3 wheel buggies offer excellent maneuverability with a stylish and streamlined frame. A lot of them come with a fabric sling seat with a cosy lay flat bed and a perfect weight distribution, perfect from birth.
The wheels are bigger and typically have suspension to allow for smooth, swift moving on different terrains. The only drawback to these wheels is that they tend to be heavier and bulkier to transport and store.
Stability
Three-wheel buggies have a lot of stability. They don't tip over as easily when driving straight. You can also maneuver 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 increase the stability of the chassis.
The extra wheel also helps you navigate off-road terrain. Choose models that have air-filled tires (also known as pneumatic tyres) that are able to take on off-road trails, sand, dirt, as well as other surfaces like rocks and sand. They'll also usually include an adjustable front wheel that locks to provide stability on rough terrain.
Buggies are easy to maneuver and agile with 360o front swivel wheel. They also pass the same global stability standards and test as 4-wheel buggies.
If you are looking for a fabric seat that are breathable, they tend to be 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 the smoothest ride.
Best known for its car seats, Maxi-Cosi has recently added a lightweight pushchair and travel system to its range with the striking Citylife. This 3-in-1 is ideal for urban living and comes with a baby car seat or carrycot. It comes with four wheels and an exclusive pewter-black aluminum frame, which the brand describes as'slim and compact. It's smaller at 2cm than the Babyzen Yoyo.
Folding
There are many 3 wheel buggies which can be folded in a compact way to can fit into smaller spaces. Many can be folded with just one hand, and are easy to wash down. Some of the smallest models have a simple handlebar-height adjustment, while others feature adjustable suspensions and a 50+ UV canopy that can be extended. They could also come with an enormous, spacious basket and a brake lever that is quick-release.
The most reliable 3 wheel buggy to tackle rough terrain
A 3-wheeled vehicle is generally better equipped to handle off-road terrain in comparison to a model with four wheels but both can get stuck on tight corners. A model with bigger front and rear wheels will help. This will make them easier to push over uneven ground and will often help with moving up and down the high kerbs.
One option is the latest Roma Atlas, which has been praised for its surprisingly agile handling despite its 3-wheel design. MFM reviewer Kath tried it with her infant and 3-year-old son and reported that "it does really well on cobbles, bumpy pavements, dirt roads and gravel tracks as well as on some hills."
Stella Stella, the 3-wheel all-terrain buggy from Maxi-Cosi is another great option. It is suitable for babies from birth if used with a carrycot. It's slightly bigger than the 4-wheelers that are lighter, 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 the brands' car seats and strollers for infants. This means that you can design your ideal travel system for day-today or longer walks, using only the chassis as a starting point.
Tyres
The tyres on 3 wheel buggies are available in a variety of styles and materials, and each comes with its pros and cons. Air-filled tyres, for example provide an effortless ride and superior maneuverability while foam-filled tires are more durable. The kind of tyre you pick will depend on your lifestyle and the place you live.
For instance, if are planning to travel frequently on rough or unpaved terrain, you may think about a 3-wheeler that has sturdier tires. You should also think about the type of suspension you need. Strong suspension is useful for handling bumps and humps, however it can be heavy and add to the overall weight of your pushchair.
Another crucial aspect to take into consideration is the size of the tyre. Knowing how to determine the sizing of a tyre is essential to ensure safety, performance, and durability. The combination of numbers and letters on the sidewall of a tyre can seem initially, but decoding it allows you to understand the dimensions of the tyre. For instance, a tyre's size of '185/70 R14 is a sign that the tire is a 185/70 radial with 14 inches of 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 the tires on a pushchair are made of rubber or PU, try sliding the tires across an even surface. If 3 wheeled pushchair slide easily they are made of PU. If they don't, then the tires are made of rubber.
Suspension
The suspension of a 3 wheel buggy is a vital aspect to consider as it will absorb the jolts and bumps of rough terrain, making it more comfortable for your child. Large wheels that are air-filled, and lockable for stability during jogging is crucial to ensure that your buggy will be capable of navigating off roads with ease.
There are many choices for buggy styles to suit every budget and lifestyle. For example, the Mountain Buggy pioneered all terrain agility in a 3-wheel buggies. With an engineering and geometry that is perfect their sling seat made of fabric rests comfortably inside the frame as opposed to being on top of modular seats, offering a lower centre of gravity and sitting at the perfect height to ensure optimal weight distribution to easily tackle kerb pops.
The Urban Glide 2 by Thule is a great alternative. It has an elegant design, a big wheel that's easy to move and comes with a superb suspension. It also comes with the twist handbrake to facilitate ease of use. MFM reviewer Kath tested the buggy its tests by walking through rough terrain. She was impressed with how it was able to handle it very well, saying that it "navigates over grass, bumpy sidewalks, cobbles and dirt tracks and makes it easy to go up and down kerbs".
The Roma Atlas is another popular off road option and similar to the Urban Glide 2, comes with a variety of colours to suit your style. It also has an adjustable handlebar, a spacious basket, and an ultraviolet hood that is 50+. You can also pick from a variety of infant car seats that will convert the buggy to pram. This includes the stylishly designed Carrycot Plus(tm) that is a comfy lie-flat baby bed suitable for infants and newborns from 12 months old.
Safety
Having four wheels makes the pushchair much more stable and less likely to tip over and easier to maneuver. It can also be safer for your baby as their weight is distributed more evenly over the frame of the pushchair.
A four-wheeled vehicle has a lower center of gravity, which makes it easier to pop over curbs and climb up. The fabric sling seat sits in the frame instead of on top of it like modular seats. This results in a lower seating position and a comparatively lighter buggy that can be easily maneuverable.
If you're looking to run with your child, a 4-wheeler is the best option. It has a suspension system that allows the front wheel of the buggie to be independent from the rear one. This will allow you to navigate rough terrain or bumpy roads. However there are some limitations to 4 wheel buggies can be used for running. Mountain Buggies are the exception since they feature an exclusive suspension system that has been independently tested across all types of terrain.