3 Wheel Buggies
Three-wheel buggies look stylish and sleek, with great maneuverability. Many of them come with an sling made of fabric with a cosy lay flat bed that is perfect for weight distribution and are ideal for babies from the age of.
The wheels are bigger, and they also often include suspension to allow for smooth movement over 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 extremely 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 move them more quickly and effortlessly. If you stop or turn abruptly, they may lose their stability and fall over. To avoid this, certain manufacturers add an extra wheel to their three wheel buggy designs to increase the stability of the chassis.
You can also tackle off-road terrain by adding an extra wheel. Choose models with air-filled tires (also known as pneumatic tyres) that are able to take on off-road trails, sand, mud, and other surfaces, such as sand and rock. They'll also usually come with an adjustable front wheel that locks to add stability over really rough ground.
The buggies are simple 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 are in the market for a seat made of fabric they are typically 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 an easier ride.
Maxi-Cosi is most well-known for its car seat range However, it has recently expanded its product range with the Citylife compact travel system and pushchair. This 3-in-1 model is designed for urban living and can be used from birth with a newborn car seat or carrycot for infants. It has 4 wheels and uses a unique pewter black aluminium frame that the manufacturer claims is 'slim and compact' - it's just 2cm larger than the Babyzen Yoyo.
Folding
There's a wide selection of 3 wheel buggies that fold compactly to fit in smaller spaces. Many can be folded with one hand and are easy to wash down. Some of the smaller models have a simple handlebar-height adjustment, while others feature adjustable suspensions and a 50+ UV canopy that can be extended. They could also come with a large, spacious basket and a brake lever with quick release.
The most efficient 3 wheeled buggy for taking on rough terrain
A 3-wheeler is likely to be better able to cope with off-road terrain than one with four wheels, however both can be stuck in tight places. A model with larger front and rear wheels can help. This allows you to push them over rough terrain and will assist you in climbing up and down high curbs.
The brand new Roma Atlas has been praised by many for its astonishing agility despite its three-wheeled design. MFM reviewer Kath tried it with her baby and 3-year-old and said "it handles really well over cobbles, bumpy pavements, dirt roads and gravel tracks as well as on a few hills."
Another great alternative is the newest all-terrain 3 wheel buggy from Maxi-Cosi, a car seat manufacturer, called Stella. It is suitable from birth when used with a carrycot. It's slightly bigger than the lightweight 4-wheelers, but it has air-filled tires and three recline positions and a one-handed fold.
Its main selling feature is its modularity - it's compatible with all of the brands' infant strollers and car seats. This means you can build your ideal travel system for day-today or longer walks using the chassis as a starting point.
Tyres
The tyres for 3 wheel buggies are available in many styles and materials. Each has its own pros and cons. For instance, tyres that are filled with air offer a great ride and manoeuvrability, while foam-filled tyres are more durable. The type you pick will depend on your lifestyle and the location you live in.
For example, if you intend to frequently travel on rough or muddy terrain, you might want to consider a 3-wheeler with sturdier tires. Consider 3 wheel pushchair of suspension you require. A strong suspension is ideal for handling bumps and humps. However, it can be heavy and increase the overall weight of your pushchair.
The size of the tyre can be important. Understanding how to read tyre sizing is crucial for ensuring safety, performance, and durability. The combination of numbers and letters on a tyre sidewall may appear confusing however, once you understand it, you can understand the tyre's dimensions. For instance, a tyre size of '185/70 R14 is a sign that the tire is a 185/70 radial that has 14 inches of rim diameter.
In addition to being more durable, PU tires are less heavy and puncture resistant than rubber ones. If you're not sure if the pushchair you are using has rubber or PU tires, you can test sliding the tires on a smooth and tied surface. If the tires slide easily they are made of PU. If not, then they are made of rubber.
Suspension
The suspension of a three-wheeled buggy makes it more comfortable for your child since it will absorb any knocks or bumps that occur from rough terrain. Large wheels that are air-filled, and can be locked to provide stability when jogging crucial to ensure that your buggy will be capable of maneuvering off roads with ease.
Depending on the style of buggie you're looking for There are a variety of choices to fit every lifestyle and budgets. The Mountain Buggy, for example, pioneered all-terrain agility with three-wheel buggie. With the perfect geometry and engineering their fabric sling seat rests comfortably within the frame, as opposed to on top like modular seats, providing an lower center of gravity and sitting at the perfect height to ensure optimal weight distribution that allows it to easily handle the kerb pops.
The Urban Glide 2 by Thule is another great option. It has a sleek design, a huge wheel that's easy to move and combines it with exemplary suspension. It also comes with a twist handbrake for ease of use. MFM reviewer Kath really put this buggy to the test by taking it for an excursion through the rough terrain and found that it adapted to the terrain well, stating that it 'flies effortlessly over bumpy grass, pavements, cobbles dirt tracks, and makes light work of climbing and descending 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 choose from a variety of infant car seats that will convert the buggy to a pram. This includes the elegantly designed Carrycot Plus(tm) which is a comfortable lie-flat mattress for babies and infants from 12 months old.
Safety
Four wheels make the buggy more stable, less likely for it to tip over and is easier to maneuver. It also makes it safer for your child because the weight of their body is evenly distributed across the frame.
A four-wheeled buggy has a lower center of gravity, which makes it easier to get over curbs and get up. The fabric sling seat sits inside the frame rather than on top of it like modular seats. This makes for a low-slung seating position and a lighter buggy that is more easily manoeuvred.
If you're looking to go out for an exercise with your child then a 4-wheeler might be more suitable as it has suspension that allows the front wheel to move independently of the back wheel to allow you to tackle bumpy roads and rough terrain - just bear in mind not all 4 wheel buggies are suitable for running (most aren't like the Phil and Teds). Mountain Buggies are the exception, as they have an exclusive suspension system that has been tested independently across all terrains.