3 Wheel Buggies
Three-wheel buggies look stylish and sleek, and have excellent maneuverability. A lot of them have an upholstered sling that has a cosy lay flat bed, perfect weight distribution and are suitable from birth.
The wheels are bigger and often come with suspension for agile smooth movement on various terrains. The only downside to these wheels is that they may be more bulky and heavy to transport and store.
Stability
Three wheel buggies are remarkably solid – they don’t fall over as easily as four-wheeled pushchairs when they’re in a straight line, and you’ll be able to maneuver them more quickly and easily. However, if you attempt to stop or turn suddenly they’ll lose their stability and may tip over. Some manufacturers add an extra wheel to their 3 wheel stroller lightweight-wheel buggy designs in order to improve the stability of the chassis.
The extra wheel also helps you navigate off-road terrain. Be sure to look for models with air-filled tyres (also called pneumatic tyres) as these can cope with off-road routes and other surfaces including sand, mud and rock. They’ll also have a lockable front wheel to add stability over really rough ground.
With the correct design, engineering and weight distribution, these buggies can turn at a moment’s notice and are easy to steer with just one hand; feature 360o front swivel wheel that allows agility and mobility to be easy and easy to handle. They also pass the same global stability standards and tests as buggies with four wheels.
If you are looking for a seat made of cloth that are breathable, they tend to be lower in the frame compared to modular seats. This means that your baby’s centre of gravity will be closer to the ground, instantly ensuring a smoother ride.
Popular for its car seats, Maxi-Cosi has recently added an ultra-light travel system and pushchair to its line-up with the attractive Citylife. This 3-in-1 is perfect for urban life, and comes with a baby car seat or carrycot. It comes with 4 wheels and an exclusive pewter black aluminium frame, which the company claims is ‘light and compact’. It’s just 2cm larger than the Babyzen Yoyo.
Folding
There are a lot of three wheel buggies that can be folded in a compact way to can fit into smaller spaces. Many of them can be folded using one hand and are simple to wash down. The smallest models will come with a basic handlebar height adjustment, while others could have an adjustable suspension as well as an extendable 50+ UV canopy. They could also come with large, spacious baskets and a brake lever with quick release.
The best 3 wheeled buggy for taking on rough terrain
A 3 wheel infant stroller-wheeler is likely to be more able to deal with off-road conditions than one with four wheels, however both can get stuck in difficult places. A model with larger rear and front wheels can aid. This makes it easier to push them across rough terrain and can help you get up and down high curbs.
One option is the latest Roma Atlas, which has been praised for its surprisingly agile handling despite its small 3 wheel stroller-wheel design. MFM reviewer Kath has tested it with her baby, and she said that “it did really well on cobbles, bumpy surfaces, dirt roads, gravel tracks, and some hills.”
Stella Stella, the all-terrain 3 wheeled travel system-wheel buggy by Maxi-Cosi is a great alternative. It’s suitable for babies when used in conjunction with the carrycot. It’s a slightly larger than the lighter 4wheelers (with a surprisingly slim frame of 54cm wide) however it has large, air-filled tyres, 3 recline positions, and a swift one-hand fold.
Its primary selling point is its modularity. It’s compatible with all of the brands’ baby strollers and car seats. You can design your own travel system, regardless of whether you want to go on a short walk or take a longer stroll, by using the chassis.
Tyres
The tyres on 3 wheel buggies come in a variety of designs and materials, and each has its pros and cons. For instance, air-filled tyres, offer a smooth ride and great maneuverability, while foam-filled tires are more durable. The type you pick will depend on your lifestyle and the location you live in.
For example, if you are planning to travel frequently on rough or unpaved terrain, you might be interested in an all-wheeler with more durable tyres. Also, you should consider the type of suspension that you need. A sturdy suspension is helpful to handle 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 the tyre’s size. Understanding how to read tyre sizing is crucial for ensuring safety performance, durability, and performance. The combination of numbers and letters on the sidewalls of tyres can seem confusing, but once you decode it, you’ll be able to comprehend the tyre’s dimensions. A tyre with an 185/70 size R14 for instance is a radial tire with a diameter of the 185/70 size with 14-inch rim size.
In addition to being more durable, PU tires are lighter and more puncture-resistant than rubber ones. If you are unsure if a pushchair’s tires are rubber or PU, slide the tires on the surface with a smooth surface. If the tires slide easily and smoothly, they’re made of PU. If they do not then the tires are composed of rubber.
Suspension
The suspension of a three wheel buggy makes it more comfortable for your child because it will absorb any bumps or knocks from rough terrain. Large wheels that are air-filled, and that can be locked to ensure stability when jogging are also crucial. This will allow your buggy to travel on off-road surfaces effortlessly.
There are many options for buggy styles that will suit any lifestyle and budget. The Mountain Buggy, for example was the first to introduce all-terrain agility with three-wheel buggies. Their fabrics sling seats are designed with precise geometry and engineering that fits comfortably inside the frame rather than on top, like modular seats. This creates an lower center of gravity and sits at the ideal height to distribute weight easily to conquer the kerbs.
The Urban Glide 2 by Thule is a great alternative. It has sleek design, a big wheel that’s easy to maneuver and comes with a superb suspension. It also has a twist handbrake for ease of use. MFM reviewer Kath took this buggy to the test by taking it for a walk through rough ground and she was impressed with how it was able to handle the terrain well, stating that it ‘flies effortlessly over bumpy grass, pavements, cobbles dirt tracks, and can be a breeze going 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 colors that will match your style. It also has an adjustable handlebar, a large basket, and an ultraviolet hood that is 50+. You can also choose from a selection of infant car seats that will transform the buggy into a pram. This includes the elegantly designed Carrycot Plus(tm) that is a comfortable, flat mattress for babies and infants up to 12 month old.
Safety
The presence of four wheels makes the buggy more stable, less likely to tip and easier to maneuver. It also makes it safer for your child as the weight of their body is evenly distributed across the frame.
A four-wheeled buggy has lower center of gravity, which makes it easier to get over curbs and walk up. The sling seat is affixed inside the frame rather than on top of it like modular seats. This results in a lower seating position, and a lighter buggy that is more easily maneuverable.
If you want to run with your child, a 4-wheeler is the ideal option. It comes with an suspension system that allows the front wheel of the buggie to be independent 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 because they come with a specially-designed suspension system that’s been tested by an independent expert across all kinds of terrain.