3 Wheel Buggies: The Good The Bad And The Ugly

3 Wheel Buggies

Three-wheel buggies are elegant and sleek, with excellent maneuverability. A lot of them come with seats made of fabric that have a comfortable lie flat bed and perfect weight distribution that is ideal from birth.

The wheels are larger, and they also often come with suspension for agile smooth movement over a variety of terrains. The only drawback is that they can be heavier and more bulkier to store and transport.

Stability

Three wheel buggies are very stable - they don't tip over as easily as four-wheeled pushchairs when going in a straight line, and you'll find that you can manoeuvre them much more quickly and efficiently. However, if you attempt to stop or turn suddenly they'll lose their stability and could be prone to tipping over. Some manufacturers add an extra wheel to their 3-wheel buggy designs to improve the stability of the chassis.

The extra wheel also helps you tackle off-road terrain. Choose models that have air-filled tires (also known as pneumatic tyres), which can handle off-road trails, sand, dirt, as well as other surfaces like rocks and sand. These models will also have a lockable wheel in the front to improve stability over rough terrain.

Buggies are easy to maneuver and agile, thanks to a 360o front swivel wheel. They will also pass the same global stability standards and tests as buggies with four wheels.

If you're looking for a fabric sling, then these tend to be placed lower in the frame than modular seats, so that your baby's centre of gravity is closer to the floor - instantly delivering a smoother ride and a less noticeable kerb pop (you don't have to exert as much pressure or exertion to get the buggy up and over a kerb).

Most well-known for its car seats, Maxi-Cosi has recently added a light pushchair and travel system to its product line with the attractive Citylife. The model is designed for urban living and is suitable from birth with a newborn carrycot or infant car seat. It has 4 wheels and an exclusive black pewter frame that the manufacturer claims is 'slim and compact' - it's only 2cm wider than the Babyzen Yoyo.

Folding

There are a variety of three wheel buggies that can be folded compactly and can fit into smaller spaces. A majority of these buggies are able to be folded with one hand and are easy to clean. Some of the tiniest models have a simple handlebar-height adjustment, while others have adjustable suspensions and an ultraviolet canopy of 50+ that can be extended. They may also have an enormous, spacious basket and a quick-release brake lever.

The most reliable 3 wheel buggy to tackle rough terrain

A 3-wheel buggy will usually be more adept at dealing with off-road conditions than a 4-wheel model, although both can get stuck in difficult spots. However, selecting a model with larger wheels both front and back can be beneficial. This makes them easier to push over uneven ground and is often helpful in getting up and down high kerbs.

One option is the new Roma Atlas, which has been praised for its surprisingly quick handling, despite its 3-wheel design. MFM reviewer Kath tested it with her infant and said that "it did really well on cobbles, bumpy surfaces, dirt roads, gravel tracks and even some hills."

Stella, the new all-terrain 3 wheeled strollers-wheel buggy by Maxi-Cosi is a great alternative. It is suitable from birth if used with a carrycot. It's slightly bigger than the lightweight 4-wheelers, but it features air-filled tires, three recline positions, and a one-handed fold.

Its main selling feature is its modularity. It's compatible with all of the brands' baby strollers and car seats. This means you can create your ideal travel system for day-to-day or longer walks using the chassis as a base.

Tyres

The tyres for 3 wheel bassinet stroller wheel buggies come in a variety of styles and types of materials. Each has its own pros and cons. Air-filled tyres, for example offer an effortless ride and superior manoeuvrability while foam-filled tires are more durable. The type you choose will depend on your needs and where you live.

If you intend to travel on unpaved roads or on rough terrain frequently, you might want to consider a three-wheeler that has more durable tyres. You should also think about the type of suspension you need. A sturdy suspension is helpful for handling bumps and humps, but it can be heavy and increase the overall weight of your pushchair.

The size of the tyre is also important. Understanding how to read the size of the tyre is crucial for safety, performance, and durability. The combination of letters and numbers on a tyre's sidewall can seem confusing initially, but decoding it will allow you to comprehend the dimensions of the tyre. A tyre with an 185/70 size R14 for instance indicates that it is a radial tire in the 185/70 size with a 14-inch rim diameter.

In addition to being more durable, PU tires are lighter and more puncture-resistant than rubber ones. If you're unsure whether the tires of a pushchair are rubber or PU, slide the tires across the surface with a smooth surface. If they move easily, then the tires are made of PU. If not, then they are made of rubber.

Suspension

The suspension on a 3 wheel pushchair off road 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 child. Large wheels that are air-filled and are able to be locked to provide stability when running are essential. This will allow your buggy to maneuver over off-road surfaces easily.

There are many options for buggy styles to suit every budget and lifestyle. For example the Mountain Buggy pioneered all terrain agility in a 3-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, offering an lower center of gravity and sitting at the right height for optimal weight distribution, allowing it to easily take on kerb pops.

The Urban Glide 2 by Thule is a great alternative. It sports an elegant design, a big wheel that is easy to maneuver and comes with a superb suspension. It also features the twist handbrake to facilitate ease of use. MFM reviewer Kath took this buggy to the test by taking it on an excursion through the rough terrain and found that it was able to handle the terrain well saying that it 'navigates effortlessly over bumpy grass, pavements, cobbles, dirt tracks and even makes light work of climbing and descending kerbs'.

The Roma Atlas, like the Urban Glide 2 is a popular off-road choice. It comes in a variety of colors that match your style. It also comes with an adjustable handlebar and a large basket. You can also select from a variety of infant car seats that will transform the buggy into pram. This includes the stylishly designed Carrycot Plus(tm) that is a comfortable, flat baby bed suitable for infants and newborns from 12 months old.

Safety

The presence of four wheels makes the pushchair much more stable, less likely to tip, and easier to handle. It also makes it more secure for your child as their weight is distributed more evenly throughout the frame of the pushchair.

A four-wheeled buggy has a lower center of gravity, making it easier to pop over curbs and get up. The seats of the fabric sling are placed inside the frame, not on top like modular seats. This creates a low seat position and a buggy that can be easily moved.

If you want to run with your child, then an all-wheeler is the best option. It has a suspension system that allows the front wheel of the buggie to be independent from the rear wheel. This will allow you to take on rough terrain or bumpy roads. However there are some limitations to four wheel buggies are able to be used for running. Mountain Buggies are the exception because they come with a suspension system specifically designed for them that's been tested independently across all terrains.