The 10 Most Scariest Things About 3 Wheel Buggies
3 Wheel Buggies
Three-wheel buggies look elegant and sleek, with excellent maneuverability. Many of them come with an upholstered sling that has a cosy lay flat bed that is perfect for weight distribution and are ideal starting at birth.
The wheels are larger and, in many cases, include suspension to allow for smooth movement over different terrains. The only drawback to these wheels is that they tend to be heavier and bulkier to store and transport.
Stability
Three wheel buggies are very solid - they don't fall over as easily as pushchairs that have four wheels when going in a straight line and you'll be able to manoeuvre them much more quickly and efficiently. If you stop or turn abruptly, they can lose stability and tip over. This is why certain manufacturers add an additional wheel to their three wheel buggy designs in order to improve the stability of the chassis.
You can also take on off-road terrain with the extra wheel. Choose models with air-filled tires (also known as pneumatic tyres), which can handle off-road trails, sand, mud, and other surfaces like sand and rock. They'll also include the option of locking the front wheel to give stability over rough ground.
The buggies are simple to maneuver and agile, thanks to a 360o front swivel wheel. They also pass the same stability standards globally and tests as buggies with four wheels.
If you're looking for a fabric sling seat, 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 a lighter kerb pop (you don't have to exert as much pressure or effort to lift the buggy up and over the curb).
Popular for its car seats, Maxi-Cosi has recently added an ultra-light pushchair and travel system to its line-up with the eye-catching Citylife. This 3-in-1 is perfect for urban living and comes with a baby car seat or carrycot. It has four wheels and an exclusive black pewter frame, which the company claims is 'light 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 fit into smaller spaces. They can be folded with a single hand and are easy to wash down. Some of the smallest models have a simple height-of-handlebar adjustment, while others feature adjustable suspensions and an ultraviolet canopy of 50+ that can be extended. They may also have a large, spacious basket and a brake lever with quick release.
The best 3 wheeler for rocky terrain
A 3-wheeler will typically be more adept at dealing with off-road conditions than a 4-wheel model, although both models can get stuck in difficult places. A model with bigger front and rear wheels can help. This will make them easier to push over uneven ground and will often help with moving up and down steep kerbs.
The new Roma Atlas has been praised by many for its astonishing agility despite its three-wheeled design. MFM reviewer Kath tested it with her baby and said that "it was very well-handled on cobbles, bumpy surfaces, gravel tracks, dirt roads, and a few hills."
Stella, the new all-terrain 3 wheeler pushchair off road-wheel buggy from Maxi-Cosi is another great option. It's suitable for babies when used in conjunction with the carrycot. It's smaller than the light 4wheelers (with an impressively slim frame of 54cm wide) but it comes with big air-filled tyres, three recline positions and a fast one-hand fold.
Its main selling point is its modularity it's compatible with all of the brands' infant car seats and strollers. You can create your own travel system, no matter if you want to go on a short walk or a longer one, using the chassis.
Tyres
The tyres for 3 wheel buggies are available in a variety of designs and materials, and each has its pros and cons. For instance, tyres that are filled with air provide an effortless ride and superior maneuverability while foam-filled tires are more durable. The kind of tyre you pick will be determined by your lifestyle and the place it is that you live.
For example, if you plan to travel often on rough or muddy terrain, you might be interested in an all-wheeler with more durable tires. Take into consideration the type of suspension you require. Strong suspensions are useful to tackle humps and bumps however they can be quite heavy, adding to the overall weight.
The size of the tyre is also important. Understanding how to read tyre sizing is crucial for maintaining safety as well as performance and durability. The combination of numbers and letters on a tyre's sidewall can be confusing initially, but understanding it helps you understand the dimensions of the tyre. For instance, a tyre size of "185/70 R14' means that the tire is a 185/70 radial with 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 unsure whether the tires on a pushchair are made of rubber or PU, simply slide the tires across an even surface. If the tires slide easily and smoothly, they're made of PU. If not, they are made of rubber.
Suspension
The suspension of a 3 wheel running stroller wheel buggy is an essential aspect to consider as it will absorb the smacks and bumps of rough terrain, making it more comfortable for your child. Large wheels that are air-filled, and can be locked to ensure stability when jogging are also essential. This will enable your buggy to navigate off-road surfaces with ease.
There are many options for buggy styles that will suit any budget and lifestyle. For instance, the Mountain Buggy pioneered all terrain agility in a three-wheel buggie. The sling seats made of fabric are designed with perfect geometry and engineering that fits perfectly inside the frame rather than on top, like modular seats. This provides a lower center of gravity and sits at the ideal height to distribute weight evenly to conquer the kerbs.
The Urban Glide 2 by Thule is another great option. It sports a sleek design, a huge wheel that's easy to move and comes with a superb suspension. It also features a twist handbrake for ease of use. MFM reviewer Kath really put this buggy to the test by taking it for a walk through rough ground and she found that it handled the terrain really well saying that it 'navigates easily over grass, bumpy pavements, cobbles, dirt tracks and even makes a light work of getting up and down kerbs'.
The Roma Atlas, like the Urban Glide 2 is a popular off-road choice. It is available in a variety of colors that match your style. It also comes with an adjustable handlebar as well as a large basket. You can also pick from a range of infant car seats to convert the buggy into a pram, including the stylishly designed carrycot plus(tm) that is a comfy lie-flat crib for babies and infants that are up to 12 months old.
Safety
Four wheels make the buggy more stable and less likely to tip and easier to handle. It is also safer for your baby as their weight is distributed more evenly over the frame of the pushchair.
A four-wheeler is also likely to have a lower center of gravity and is therefore more easy to roll over curbs and up the stairs. The fabric sling seat sits in the frame instead of sitting on top like modular seats. This results in a lower seating position, and a lighter buggy that can be easily maneuverable.
However, if you want to go for a run with your baby then a 4-wheeler might be more suitable as it will have suspension that allows the front wheel to move independently of the back wheel which allows you to navigate bumpy roads and rough terrain Be aware that not all buggies with 4 wheels are suitable for running (most aren't, such as the Phil and Teds). Mountain Buggies are the exception because they come with an exclusive suspension system that has been tested by an independent expert across all terrains.