3 Wheel Buggies
3 wheel buggies offer superb maneuverability with a stylish and streamlined frame. A lot of them have an upholstered sling that has a cosy lay flat bed, perfect weight distribution and are ideal for babies from the age of.
The wheels are larger and often come with suspension for agile smooth movements on different terrains. The only downside is that they could be heavier and bulkier to store and transport.
Stability
Three wheel buggies are extremely stable and don't tip over as easily as pushchairs with four wheels when they're in a straight line. Also, you'll be able to maneuver them more quickly and efficiently. However, if you try to stop or turn abruptly, they'll lose stability and may tip over. This is why certain manufacturers add an additional wheel to their 3 wheel buggy designs to improve the stability of the chassis.
The additional wheel also allows you navigate off-road terrain. Look for models with air-filled tires (also called pneumatic tyres), which can handle off-road trails, sand, dirt, as well as other surfaces like sand and rock. They'll also typically come with an adjustable front wheel that locks to give stability over rough ground.
The buggies are simple to maneuver and agile with 360o front swivel wheel. They also meet the same global stability standards and tests as buggies with four wheels.
If you're in search of a fabric sling, then they tend to be set lower in the frame than modular seats so that your baby's center of gravity is closer to the ground which means a smoother ride and a less noticeable kerb pop (you don't need to apply as much pressure or effort to get the buggy over and up a kerb).
Maxi-Cosi is most well-known for its car seat range, but it recently expanded its product range with the Citylife compact travel system and pushchair. This 3-in-1 is ideal for urban life, and comes with a baby car seat or carrycot. It comes with four wheels and an unique pewter-black frame that the brand calls'slim and compact. It's just 2cm wider than the Babyzen Yoyo.
Folding
There are many 3 wheel buggies that can be folded compactly and can be tucked away in smaller spaces. Many of them can be folded using a single hand and are simple to wash down. Some of the smaller models have a simple handlebar-height adjustment, while others have adjustable suspensions and a 50+ UV canopy that can be extended. Some models could have large baskets and a brake lever that is quick-release.
The best 3 wheel buggy for tackling rough terrain
A 3-wheeler will typically be more able to deal with off-road terrain than a 4-wheel model, although both can be stuck in difficult spots. However, choosing a model that has larger wheels both front and back can help. This makes it easier to push them across rough terrain and will aid in getting up and down high curbs.
The new Roma Atlas has been praised by many for its astonishing ability to move despite its three-wheeled design. MFM reviewer Kath tried it with her infant and her 3-year-old, and said "it does really well on cobbles, bumpy pavements, gravel tracks and dirt roads and also on a few hills."
Another great alternative is the newest all-terrain 3 wheel buggy from Maxi-Cosi, a car seat manufacturer, called Stella. 3 wheeled pushchair for babies when used in conjunction with the carrycot and is a smaller than the light 4wheelers (with a surprisingly slim 54cm wide frame) but it comes with big air-filled tyres, three recline positions, and a quick one-hand fold.
Its primary selling point is its modularity, though - it's compatible with all the brands' infant car seats and strollers. You can design your own travel system, no matter if you're planning to take a shorter walk or a longer one using the chassis.
Tyres
The tyres for 3 wheel buggies are offered in a variety of styles and materials. 3 wheel pushchair has its own pros and cons. For instance, air-filled tyres offer a great performance and maneuverability, whereas foam-filled tyres last longer. The type you select will be based on your personal preferences and where you live.
For instance, if you plan to travel often on unpaved paths or rough terrain, you may think about a 3-wheeler with sturdier tyres. Take into consideration the kind of suspension you need. A sturdy suspension is helpful for handling bumps and humps. However, it can be heavy and add to the overall weight of your pushchair.
The size of the tyre can be important. Understanding the tyre's size is essential for safety, performance and longevity. The combination of numbers and letters on a tyre's sidewall can be initially, but understanding it will allow you to comprehend the dimensions of the tyre. A tyre having an 185/70 size R14, for example is a radial tire in 185/70 and has a 14-inch rim diameter.
In addition to being more durable, PU tires are also lighter and more puncture-resistant than rubber ones. If you're unsure whether a pushchair has rubber or PU tires, you can test sliding the tires across a smooth and tied surface. If the tires slide smoothly they are made of PU. If they do not, then the tires are made of rubber.
Suspension
The suspension of a three-wheeled buggy can make it more comfortable for your child since it absorbs any bumps or knocks caused by rough terrain. Large wheels that are air-filled, and lockable to ensure stability while jogging is essential to ensure your buggy is capable of maneuvering off roads with ease.
There are many choices for buggy styles to suit every budget and lifestyle. For instance, the Mountain Buggy pioneered all terrain agility with its three-wheel buggies. 3 wheel pushchair sling seats are designed with precise geometry and engineering to fit perfectly inside the frame rather than sitting on top like modular seats. This creates an lower center of gravity and allows it to be placed at the right height to distribute weight evenly to tackle kerbs.
Another option worth considering 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 put this buggy through its paces by taking it for a walk on a rough terrain. She was impressed with how it performed admirably, saying 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 comes in a variety of colours that will complement your style. It also comes with a movable handlebar and a large basket. You can also pick from a variety of infant car seats that convert the buggy to pram. This includes the elegantly designed Carrycot Plus(tm) which is a comfortable lie-flat bed for newborns or babies up to 12 month old.
Safety
Having four wheels makes a buggy much more stable and less likely to tip, and easier to maneuver. It also makes it safer for your baby as their weight is distributed more evenly across the frame of the pushchair.
A four-wheeled buggy has lower center of gravity, making it easier to climb over curbs and get up. The seats of the fabric sling are positioned inside the frame and not on top as modular seats. This results in a lower seat and an automobile that is easily pushed.
However, if you'd like to go for an exercise with your child then a 4-wheeler may be more suitable as it will have suspension that allows the front wheel to move independently of the back wheel which allows you to navigate bumpy roads and rough terrain - just bear in mind not all 4 wheel buggies are suitable for running (most are NOT, such as the Phil and Teds). The exception is Mountain Buggies which have a specially-designed suspension system that has been tested by an independent party across all terrains.