3 Wheel Buggies: The Good The Bad And The Ugly

3 Wheel Buggies

3 wheel stroller brands wheel buggies offer excellent maneuverability in a stylish and slim frame. A lot of them come with a fabric sling seat with a comfortable lie flat bed and perfect weight distribution that is ideal from the moment of birth.

The wheels are larger and often include suspension to allow for smooth movement on a variety of terrains. The only downside is that they may be heavier and more bulkier to store and transport.

Stability

Three wheel buggies are remarkably stable and don't tip over as easily as pushchairs with four wheels when traveling in a straight line and you'll find that you can manoeuvre them much more quickly and easily. If you turn or stop abruptly, they could lose stability and even tip over. To avoid this, some manufacturers add an extra wheel to their three wheel buggy designs to increase the stability of the chassis.

You can also conquer off-road terrain with the extra wheel. Be sure to look for models with air-filled tyres (also called pneumatic tyres) because they can deal with off-road trails and other surfaces including rocks, sand and mud. These models will also have an adjustable wheel that locks in the front to improve stability over rough terrain.

Buggies are easy to maneuver and agile, thanks to a 360o front swivel wheel. They'll also be able to pass the same rigorous global stability standards and tests as the 4-wheel buggies.

If you are in the market for a fabric seat, these tend to be less upright in comparison to modular seats. This means that your baby's centre of gravity will be closer to the ground, instantly providing a smoother ride.

Popular for its car seats, Maxi-Cosi has recently added an ultra-light travel system and pushchair to its range with the eye-catching Citylife. The 3-in-1 model was designed for urban living and can be used starting at birth with a newborn carrycot or infant car seat. It has 4 wheels and an exclusive pewter black aluminium frame, which the brand claims is 'slim and compact' - it's just 2cm larger than the Babyzen Yoyo.

Folding

There are a lot of three wheel buggies that can be folded down to can fit into smaller spaces. Many can be folded with a single hand and are simple to wash down. The smallest models will feature an easy adjustable height of the handlebars, while others may feature an adjustable suspension or an extendable 50+ UV canopy. They may also have large, spacious baskets and a brake lever with quick release.

The most efficient 3 wheel buggy to tackle rough terrain

A 3-wheeled model is typically better equipped to deal with off-road conditions as in comparison to a model with four wheels, though both can get stuck on tight corners. However, selecting a model with bigger wheels both front and back can help. This makes it easier to push them over rough terrain and will help you get up and down high curbs.

One option is the new Roma Atlas, which has been praised for its agile handling despite its 3 wheel strollers-wheel design. MFM reviewer Kath tested it with her child and reported that "it did really well on bumpy surfaces, cobbles gravel tracks, dirt roads, and a few hills."

Another great alternative is the newest 3 wheeled buggies-wheel buggy that is all-terrain from Maxi-Cosi's car seat brand, called Stella. It is suitable from birth, if it is used in conjunction with a carrycot. It's a bit bigger than the 4-wheelers that are lighter, however, it comes with air-filled tires and three recline positions and an easy fold with one hand.

Its primary selling point is its modularity, though - it's compatible with all the brand's infant car seats and strollers. You can design your own travel system, regardless of whether you're planning to take a an easy stroll or a longer one, using the chassis.

Tyres

The tyres of 3 wheel buggies come in a variety of styles and materials, and each has its pros and cons. For instance, air-filled tyres offer a great ride and manoeuvrability, while foam-filled tyres are more durable. The type you choose will be based on your personal preferences and where you live.

If you plan to travel on unpaved roads or on rough terrain frequently, you might think about a three-wheeler equipped with more robust tyres. Think about the kind of suspension you need. Strong suspensions are useful for tackling bumps and humps however they can be quite heavy, adding to the overall weight.

Another aspect to be considered is tyre size. Knowing how to understand tyre sizing is vital for maintaining safety as well as performance and durability. The combination of numbers and letters on the sidewall of a tyre can seem confusing initially, but understanding it allows you to understand the tyre's dimensions. For instance, a tyre size of '185/70 R14 indicates that the tire is a 185/70 radius with a 14 inch rim diameter.

PU tires are lighter and more puncture-resistant than rubber tires. If you are unsure if the tires of a pushchair are rubber or PU, slide the tires on an even surface. If the tires slide easily, they are made of PU. If not, they are made of rubber.

Suspension

The suspension of a 3 wheel buggy is an important aspect to consider as it absorbs the bumps and knocks of rough terrain making it much more comfortable for your child. Having large wheels, that are ideally air-filled and are lockable for stability during jogging is also important as this will ensure your buggy is able to navigate off road surfaces with ease.

There are many choices for buggy styles to suit every budget and style of life. For example, the Mountain Buggy pioneered all terrain agility in a three-wheel buggie. With perfect geometry and engineering, their fabrics sling seat sits snug inside the frame, in contrast to sitting on top like modular seats, resulting in an lower center of gravity and sitting at the ideal height to ensure optimal weight distribution to easily tackle kerb pops.

Another great option is the Urban Glide 2 from Thule that has a sleek design with large highly manoeuvrable front wheel, excellent suspension, and a simple handbrake with a twist. MFM reviewer Kath put the buggy through its trials by walking on a rough terrain. She found that it was able to handle it very well, saying that it "navigates over bumpy grass, cobbles, sidewalks and dirt tracks, and makes it easy to drive up and down kerbs".

The Roma Atlas is another popular off-road option that, like the Urban Glide 2, comes with a variety of colours to suit your style. It also has an adjustable handlebar as well as a large basket. You can also pick from a variety of infant car seats that transform the double buggy 3 wheels into pram. This includes the stylishly designed Carrycot Plus(tm) which is a comfortable lie-flat baby bed suitable for infants and newborns until 12 months old.

Safety

Four wheels make the pushchair much more stable, less likely to tip over and easier to handle. It also makes it more secure for your child since the weight of their body is evenly dispersed across the frame.

A four-wheeled buggy has a lower center of gravity, which makes it easier to climb over curbs and walk up. The seats made of fabric are placed inside the frame and not on top as modular seats. This results in a lower seating position and an automobile that is easily pushed.

If you're looking to go for a run with your baby then a 4-wheeler may be better suited since it comes with suspension that allows the best 3 wheel stroller front wheel to move independently of the back one to allow you to tackle rough terrains and bumpy roads - just bear in mind not all 4 wheel buggies are suitable for running (most aren't like the Phil and Teds). The exception is Mountain Buggies which have a specially designed suspension system that has been independently tested across all types of terrain.