3 Wheel Buggies: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
3 Wheel Buggies 3 wheel buggies offer excellent maneuverability in a stylish and slim frame. Many of these have an upholstered sling that has a comfortable lay flat bed, which is ideal for weight distribution, and are perfect for babies from the age of. The wheels are larger and typically have suspension to allow for smooth, swift movement on different terrains. The only drawback is that they may be heavier and bulkier to store and transport. Stability Three-wheel buggies offer lots of stability. They aren't prone to tipping over as easily when you are driving straight. They also allow you to maneuver them more quickly. If you turn or stop abruptly, they can lose their stability and fall over. For this reason, some manufacturers add an extra wheel to their 3 wheel buggy designs to increase the stability of the chassis. You can also take on off-road terrain with the extra wheel. Look for models that have air-filled tyres (also known as pneumatic tyres) because they can deal with off-road trails as well as other surfaces such as rocks, sand, and mud. These models will also feature a lockable wheel on the front, which will increase the stability of the vehicle over rough terrain. With the correct design, engineering, and weight distribution these buggies can be turned on a dime – easy to steer with just one hand; feature 360o front swivel wheels that allow mobility and agility to be effortless and easy to handle. They will also pass the same stability standards worldwide and tests as buggies with four wheels. If you're looking for a cloth sling seat, then they tend to be set lower in the frame than modular seats, so that your baby's centre of gravity is closer to the floor and provides a more comfortable ride and less kerb pop (you don't have to exert as much pressure or effort to lift the buggy over and up the kerb). Most well-known for its car seats, Maxi-Cosi has recently added a light travel system and pushchair to its line-up with the attractive Citylife. The model is designed for urban living and can be used starting at birth with a newborn carrycot or infant car seat. It comes with four wheels and an unique pewter-black frame, which the brand describes as'slim and compact. It's smaller at 2cm than the Babyzen Yoyo. Folding There's a wide selection of 3 wheel buggies that fold up to fit into smaller spaces. Many can be folded with a single hand and are easy to wipe down. The smallest models will have a simple handlebar height adjustment, while others could have an adjustable suspension and an expandable 50+ UV canopy. Some models may have large baskets and brake levers that are quick-release. The best 3 wheeler for rocky terrain A 3-wheeled model is typically better equipped to handle off-road conditions when compared to a four-wheeled model however both can get stuck on tight corners. However, selecting a model that has larger wheels both front and back can be beneficial. This makes it easier to push them over rough terrain and will aid in getting up and down steep curbs. 3 wheel stroller is the new Roma Atlas, which has been praised for its agile handling despite its 3-wheel design. MFM reviewer Kath tried it out with her infant and reported that “it was very well-handled on cobbles, bumpy surfaces and dirt roads, gravel tracks and a few hills.” Stella Stella, the all-terrain 3-wheel buggy by Maxi-Cosi is a great alternative. It's suitable for babies when used in conjunction with the carrycot. It's a smaller than the light 4wheelers (with an impressively slim 54cm wide frame) however it has large, air-filled tyres, 3 recline positions, and a swift one-hand fold. Its main selling point is its modularity it's compatible with all the brand's infant car seats and strollers. This means you can create your ideal travel system for day-to-day or longer walks, using only the chassis as a base. Tyres The tyres for 3 wheel buggies are offered in a variety of styles and materials. Each comes with its own pros and cons. For instance, air-filled tyres provide a smooth ride and manoeuvrability, while foam-filled tyres last longer. The type of tyre you select will depend on your lifestyle and where it is that you live. If you intend to travel on roads that are not paved or in rough terrain frequently you may be interested in a three-wheeler with more robust tyres. Also, you should consider the type of suspension you need. A strong suspension is ideal to handle bumps and humps. However, it can be heavy and contribute to the overall weight of your pushchair. The size of the tyre is also crucial. Knowing how to understand tyre sizing is vital for ensuring safety as well as performance and durability. The combination of numbers and letters on a tyre's sidewall may be initially, but decoding it allows you to understand the tyre's dimensions. A tyre that has a size of 185/70 R14, for example indicates that it is a radial tire with a diameter of the 185/70 size with a 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 over an even and secure surface. If the tires slide easily and smoothly, they're made of PU. If they don't, then the tires are composed of rubber. Suspension The suspension on a three wheel buggy is a vital component to look for because it will absorb the bumps and knocks of rough terrain, making it more comfortable for your baby. A large wheel which are filled with air and are lockable for stability during jogging is essential to ensure that your buggy is able to navigate off road surfaces easily. There are a variety of buggy styles to suit every budget and lifestyle. For instance the Mountain Buggy pioneered all terrain agility with its three-wheel buggies. With an engineering and geometry that is perfect, their fabrics sling seat sits snug within the frame, as opposed to sitting on top like modular seats, resulting in a lower centre of gravity and sitting at the right height for optimal weight distribution to easily tackle the kerb pops. The Urban Glide 2 by Thule is another great option. It has a sleek design, a big wheel that's easy to move and comes with a superb suspension. It also comes with a twist handbrake for ease of use. MFM reviewer Kath put the buggy through its paces by taking it for a walk through rough terrain. She found that it handled it really well and claimed that it “navigates over grass, bumpy sidewalks, cobbles and dirt tracks, and even makes it easy to go up and down kerbs”. The Roma Atlas is another popular off road option and like the Urban Glide 2, comes in a range of colours to suit your style. It also features an adjustable handlebar, a large basket, and an ultraviolet hood that is 50+. You can also pick from a range of infant car seats that will transform the buggy into a pram. This includes the elegantly designed Carrycot Plus™ that is a comfortable lie-flat baby bed suitable for infants and newborns from 12 months old. Safety Having four wheels makes a buggy much more stable and less likely to tip and easier to maneuver. It is also more secure for your baby since their weight is distributed more evenly over the frame of the pushchair. A four-wheeled buggy also tends to have a lower centre of gravity and therefore is easier to lift up and over curbs. The seats of the fabric sling are built into the frame, not on top like modular seats. This results in a low seat position and a buggy that can be easily pushed. If you want to run with your child, an all-wheeler is the best option. It has a suspension system which allows the front wheel of the buggie to be independent from the rear wheel. This allows you to tackle rough terrains or bumpy roads. However it is not the case that all four wheel buggies are able to be used for running. Mountain Buggies are the exception because they come with a specially-designed suspension system that's been tested independently across all kinds of terrain.