3 Wheel Buggies
3 wheel buggies offer excellent maneuverability, and are a stylish, streamlined frame. A lot of them come with a fabric sling seat with an incredibly comfortable lying flat bed and excellent weight distribution that is ideal from the moment of birth.
The wheels are larger and typically have suspension to allow for smooth, fluid moving on different terrains. The only downside to these wheels is that they tend to be bulkier and heavier to store and transport.
Stability
Three wheel buggies are very solid - they don't fall over as easily as four-wheeled pushchairs when they're in a straight line. Also, you'll be able to manoeuvre them much more quickly and effortlessly. If you stop or turn abruptly, they can lose stability and tip over. Some manufacturers add an extra wheel to their 3-wheel buggy designs to improve the stability of the chassis.
The additional wheel also allows you navigate off-road terrain. Be sure to look for models with air-filled tyres (also called pneumatic tyres) as these can cope with off-road paths and other surfaces like rocks, sand, and mud. These models will also feature an adjustable wheel that locks on the front, which will increase stability over rough terrain.
Buggies are easy to maneuver and agile with 360o front swivel wheel. They also pass the same stability standards worldwide and tests as buggies with four wheels.
If you're in search of a fabric sling seat, these tend to be placed lower in the frame than modular seats so that your baby's center of gravity is closer to the floor - instantly delivering a smoother ride and a lighter kerb pop (you do not need to apply as much pressure or effort to lift the buggy up and over the curb).
Maxi-Cosi is most well-known for its car seat collection however, it recently expanded its product range with the Citylife, a lightweight travel system and pushchair. The model is designed for urban living and is compatible from birth with a newborn car seat or carrycot for infants. It has four wheels and an unique pewter-black frame that is described by the brand 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 compactly to fit in smaller spaces. A lot of these buggies can be folded in one hand and are easy-to-clean. The smallest models will come with a simple adjustable height of the handlebars, while others may have an adjustable suspension and an extended 50+ UV canopy. They may also have an enormous, spacious basket and a quick-release brake lever.
The most efficient 3 wheeler for rough terrain
A 3-wheel buggy will usually be more able to deal with off-road terrain than a 4-wheel model, but both can be stuck in tight places. However, selecting a model that has larger wheels on both sides can be beneficial. This makes it easier to push them across rough terrain and will aid in getting up and down the steep slopes.
One option is the brand new Roma Atlas, which has been praised for its quick handling, despite its 3-wheel design. MFM reviewer Kath used it with her baby and 3-year-old and said "it does really well on cobbles, bumpy pavements, dirt roads and gravel tracks and also on some hills."
Stella Stella, the brand new 3-wheel all-terrain buggy from Maxi-Cosi is a great alternative. It's suitable from birth when used in conjunction with the carrycot. It's smaller than the light 4wheelers (with a surprisingly slim 54cm wide frame) but it comes with big air-filled tyres, three recline positions, and a quick one-hand fold.
Its primary selling point is its modularity - it's compatible with all the brand's infant car seats and strollers. You can design your own travel system, whether you're planning to take a shorter walk or take a longer stroll, by using the chassis.
Tyres
The tyres on 3 wheel buggies come in a variety of styles and materials, and each comes with its pros and cons. For instance, air-filled tyres offer a great ride and manoeuvrability, while foam-filled tyres are more durable. 3 wheel buggy of tyre you choose will be determined by your lifestyle and where it is that you live.
If you intend to travel on unpaved roads or rough terrain often you may want to consider a three-wheeler that has more robust tyres. Think about the kind of suspension you need. A sturdy suspension is helpful to handle bumps and humps, however it can be heavy and contribute to the overall weight of your pushchair.
Another crucial aspect to take into consideration is the tyre's size. Understanding how to read the size of the tyre is crucial for safety, performance and durability. The combination of numbers and letters on the sidewalls of tyres can be confusing initially, but understanding it helps you understand the tyre's dimensions. A tyre that has a size of 185/70 R14 for instance, means that it is a radial tire that has a size of 185/70 with 14-inch rim size.
In addition to being more durable, PU tires are less heavy and puncture resistant than rubber ones. If you're unsure whether the pushchair you are using has rubber or PU tires, try sliding the tires on a smooth surface and tie them. If they move easily, then the tires are made from PU. If not, they are made of rubber.
Suspension
The suspension of a three-wheeled buggy will make it more comfortable for your child because it absorbs any bumps or knocks from rough terrain. Large wheels that are air-filled, and lockable to ensure stability while jogging is crucial to ensure your buggy is able to navigate off road surfaces easily.
There are 3 wheeler pushchair for buggy styles to suit every lifestyle and budget. For example, the Mountain Buggy pioneered all terrain agility in a three-wheel buggie. Their fabrics sling seats are designed with perfect geometry and engineering that fits perfectly inside the frame instead of on top like modular seats. This provides an lower center of gravity, and is placed at the perfect height to distribute weight evenly to conquer the kerbs.
Another option that is worth considering is the Urban Glide 2 from Thule that boasts a sleek style with large highly manoeuvrable front wheel, excellent suspension, and an easy-to-use twist handbrake. MFM reviewer Kath took 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 easily over grass, bumpy cobbles, pavements dirt tracks, and makes light work of getting up and down the kerbs'.
The Roma Atlas is another popular off road option and similar to the Urban Glide 2, comes in a range of colours to match your style. It also features an adjustable handlebar, a spacious basket and a 50+ UV hood. You can also pick from a variety of infant car seats that will convert the buggy to pram. This includes the stylishly designed Carrycot Plus(tm) that is a comfortable lie-flat bed for newborns or babies 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 baby as their weight is distributed more evenly across the frame of the pushchair.
A four-wheeled buggy also tends to have a lower center of gravity and therefore is easier to pop up and over curbs. The fabric sling seats are positioned inside the frame and not on top as modular seats. This results in a lower seat position and buggy that is easily moved.
If you want to run with your child, then a 4-wheeler is the best option. It comes with a suspension system which 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. The exception is Mountain Buggies which have a specially designed suspension system that has been independently tested across all terrains.