3 Wheel Buggies
3 wheel buggies provide excellent maneuverability with a stylish and streamlined frame. Many of these feature an upholstered sling seat that has an incredibly comfortable lie flat bed and perfect weight distribution, perfect for babies from birth.
The wheels are bigger and often have suspensions for smooth movement on various terrains. The only drawback to these wheels is that they may be heavier and bulkier to transport and store.
Stability
Three-wheel buggies provide lots of stability. They don't fall over more easily when driving straight. You can also manoeuvre them more quickly. If you stop or turn abruptly, they can lose stability and even tip over. This is why some manufacturers add an extra wheel to their three wheel buggy designs to increase the stability of the chassis.
You can also take on off-road terrain by adding an extra wheel. Find models that have air-filled tires (also known as pneumatic tyres) that can be used to handle off-road routes, sand and mud, and other surfaces, such as rocks and sand. They'll also come with an adjustable front wheel that locks to provide stability on rough terrain.
With the right design, engineering and weight distribution, these buggies can turn on a dime and are easy to steer with one hand; they have 360o front swivel wheels allowing agility and mobility to be effortless and light to handle. They will also pass the same stability standards globally and tests as buggies with four wheels.
If you are looking for a seat made of fabric, these tend to be less upright in comparison to modular seats. This means that your baby's center of gravity will be closer to the ground, instantly ensuring a smoother ride.
Maxi-Cosi is most well-known for its car seat range however, it recently expanded its product line with the Citylife compact travel system and pushchair. This 3-in-1 is ideal for urban living and comes with a newborn car seat or carrycot. It has four wheels and a unique pewter-black aluminium frame that is described by the brand as'slim and compact. It's just 2cm wider than the Babyzen Yoyo.
Folding
There are a variety of 3 wheel buggies that can be folded compactly and fit into smaller spaces. They can be folded with one hand and are easy to wipe down. Some of the smallest models have a simple height-of-handlebar adjustment, whereas others come with adjustable suspensions and an ultraviolet canopy of 50+ that can be extended. They could also come with large, spacious baskets and a brake lever with quick release.
The most efficient 3 wheeled buggy for taking on rough terrain
A 3-wheeler will typically be more adept at dealing with off-road conditions than a 4-wheel model, although both can be stuck in difficult places. A model with bigger front and rear wheels will help. This makes it easier to push them over rough terrain and will assist you in climbing up and down high curbs.
three wheel pushchair has been praised by many for its surprising agility despite its three-wheeled design. MFM reviewer Kath tried it out with her baby, and she said that "it was very well-handled on cobbles, bumpy surfaces dirt roads, gravel tracks and some hills."
Stella Stella, the 3-wheel all-terrain buggy from Maxi-Cosi is another great option. It's suitable from birth when used in conjunction with the carrycot. It's a little bigger than the lightweight 4wheelers (with an impressively slim 54cm wide frame) but it comes with big air-filled tyres, three recline positions and a fast one-hand fold.
Its most appealing feature is its modularity. It's compatible with all the brands' infant strollers and car seats. You can create your own travel system, regardless of whether you want to go on shorter walk or a longer one using the chassis.
Tyres
The tyres of 3 wheel buggies come in a variety of designs and materials, and each comes with its pros and cons. For instance, tyres that are filled with air provide an easy ride and excellent maneuverability, while foam-filled tires are more durable. The type of tyre you select will depend on your lifestyle and where you live.
If you plan to travel on unpaved roads or rough terrain often, you might want to consider a three-wheeler with more durable tyres. Consider the type of suspension you require. A strong suspension is ideal to handle bumps and humps, but it can be heavy and contribute to the overall weight of your pushchair.
The size of the tyre can be important. Understanding the size of the tyre is crucial for safety, performance and longevity. The combination of letters and numbers on the sidewalls of tyres can appear confusing however, once you understand it, you'll be able to comprehend the dimensions of the tyre. A tyre with the size 185/70 R14 for instance, means that it is a radial tire with a diameter of 185/70 and has 14-inch rim diameter.
PU tires are lighter and more puncture-resistant than rubber tires. If you're unsure if a pushchair has rubber or PU tires, you can test sliding the tires across an even and secure surface. If they slide easily, then the tires are made of PU. If they do not then the tires are composed of rubber.
Suspension
The suspension of a three-wheeled buggy makes it more comfortable for your child because it will absorb any bumps or knocks caused by rough terrain. Large wheels that are air-filled, and are able to be locked to provide stability when jogging are also crucial. This will enable your buggy to maneuver over off-road surfaces easily.
Depending on the style of buggy you're looking for There are choices to fit every lifestyle and budgets. For example, the Mountain Buggy pioneered all terrain agility in a 3-wheel buggies. With the perfect geometry and engineering their sling seat made of fabric is tucked away inside the frame, in contrast to sitting on top like modular seats, providing an lower center of gravity and sitting at the right height for the best weight distribution that allows it to easily handle the kerb pops.
The Urban Glide 2 by Thule is another excellent option. It sports a sleek 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 put the buggy through its tests by taking it for a walk on a rough terrain. She was impressed with how it handled it really well and claimed that it "navigates over grass, bumpy cobbles, sidewalks, and dirt tracks, and even makes it easy to go up and down kerbs".
The Roma Atlas is another popular off-road option that, like the Urban Glide 2, comes in a variety of colors to suit your style. It also comes with an adjustable handlebar, a spacious basket and an ultraviolet hood that is 50+. You can also pick from a selection of infant car seats that transform the buggy into pram. This includes the stylishly designed Carrycot Plus(tm) that is a comfy lie-flat bed for newborns or babies until 12 months old.
Safety
Four wheels make the buggy more stable, less likely to tip and easier to maneuver. It also makes it more secure for your child since the weight of their body is evenly dispersed across the frame.
A four-wheeled vehicle has a lower center of gravity, which makes it easier to climb over curbs and walk up. The seats of the fabric sling are built into the frame, not on top like modular seats. This results in a low seat and a buggy that can be easily pushed.
However, if you want to go out for a run with your baby then a 4-wheeler may be better suited as it has suspension that allows the front wheel to move independently of the back one so you can tackle bumpy roads and rough terrain - just bear in mind not all buggies with 4 wheels are suitable for running (most are NOT like the Phil and Teds). The exception is Mountain Buggies which have a specially designed suspension system that has been independently tested across all terrains.