3 Wheel Buggies
3 wheel buggies provide excellent maneuverability, and are a stylish, streamlined frame. Many of these have an upholstered sling that has a comfortable lay flat bed that is perfect for weight distribution and are ideal for babies from the age of.
The wheels are bigger and typically have suspension to ensure smooth, agile movement on different terrains. The only drawback to these wheels is that they may be bulkier and heavier to transport and store.
Stability
Three-wheel buggies offer plenty of stability. They don’t tip over as easily when moving straight. You can also maneuver faster. However, if you attempt to stop or turn suddenly they’ll lose their stability and may be prone to tipping over. Some manufacturers add an extra wheel to their 3 wheel tandem stroller-wheel buggy designs in order to increase the stability of the chassis.
You can also tackle off-road terrain with the extra wheel. Look for models that have air-filled tyres (also called pneumatic tyres) because they can deal with off-road routes and other surfaces including rocks, sand and mud. These models also come with wheels that lock in the front to improve stability over rough terrain.
The buggies are easy to maneuver and agile, thanks to a 360o front swivel wheel. They also pass the same global stability standards and tests as buggies with four wheels.
If you’re looking for a seat made of cloth 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 providing an easier ride.
Maxi-Cosi is best known for its car seats however, it has recently expanded its product line with the Citylife lightweight travel system and pushchair. This 3-in-1 model is designed for urban living and can be used starting at birth with a newborn car seat or carrycot for infants. It comes with four wheels as well as an unique pewter-black frame, which the brand describes as’slim’ and compact. It’s smaller at 2cm than the Babyzen Yoyo.
Folding
There are a lot of 3 wheel buggies that can be folded down to can fit into smaller spaces. Many of them can be folded using one hand and are easy to wipe down. Some of the smallest models come with a simple handlebar height adjustment, while others feature adjustable suspensions and an ultraviolet canopy of 50+ that can be extended. Some models could have a large basket and brake levers that are quick-release.
The best 3 wheel buggy for tackling rough terrain
A 3-wheeled model is typically better equipped to handle off-road terrain in comparison to a model with four wheels but both can get stuck on tight corners. A model with larger rear and front wheels can aid. This allows you to push them across rough terrain and can assist you in climbing up and down the steep slopes.
The brand new Roma Atlas has been praised by many for its astonishing agility despite its 3-wheeled design. MFM reviewer Kath tried it with her baby and 3-year-old and said “it is very well-handled over bumpy pavements, cobbles dirt roads and gravel tracks and also on a few hills.”
Stella Stella, the brand new 3-wheel all-terrain buggy from Maxi-Cosi, is another option. It’s suitable for babies when used in conjunction with the carrycot and is a 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 quick one-hand fold.
Its most appealing feature is its modularity. It’s compatible with all of the brands’ infant strollers and car seats. This means you can create your ideal travel system for day-today or longer walks using the chassis as a base.
Tyres
The tyres on 3 wheel buggies come in a variety of styles and materials, and each has its pros and cons. For instance, tyres that are filled with air provide a comfortable performance and maneuverability, whereas foam-filled tyres last longer. The type you pick will be based on your personal preferences and the location you live in.
For example, if you intend to frequently travel on rough or muddy terrain, you may want to consider a 3 wheel stroller lightweight-wheeler that has sturdier tires. Think about the kind of suspension you need. Suspensions that are strong are ideal for tackling bumps and humps however they can be quite heavy, adding to the overall weight.
Another aspect to be considered is the size of the tyre. Understanding the tyre size is important for safety, performance and longevity. The combination of numbers and letters on the tyre’s sidewall might seem confusing, but once you decode it, you can understand the tyre’s dimensions. A tyre with a size of 185/70 R14 for instance is a radial tire with a diameter of the 185/70 size with 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, try sliding the tires across a smooth surface. If the tires move easily they are made of PU. If not, they are made of rubber.
Suspension
The suspension of a three-wheel buggy will make it more comfortable for your child because it absorbs any bumps or knocks from rough terrain. Having large wheels, that are ideally air-filled and lockable for stability during jogging is also important as this will ensure that your buggy will be capable of maneuvering off road surfaces easily.
There are a variety of buggy styles that will suit any budget and style of life. The Mountain double buggy 3 wheels, for example was the first to introduce all-terrain agility with three-wheel buggie. The sling seats made of fabric are designed with the perfect geometry and engineering to fit snugly inside the frame, rather than on top, like modular seats. This gives an lower center of gravity and is placed at the perfect height to spread weight evenly to tackle the kerbs.
Another option worth considering is the Urban Glide 2 from Thule that has a sleek design with a massive, manoeuvrable front wheel, excellent suspension, and an easy-to-use twist handbrake. MFM reviewer Kath put the buggy through its tests by going for a ride on a rough terrain. She was impressed with how it was able to handle it very well and claimed that it “navigates over bumpy grass, cobbles, sidewalks and dirt tracks and allows you to easily go up and down kerbs”.
The Roma Atlas is another popular off-road model and, similar to the Urban Glide 2, comes in a variety of colors to suit your style. It also comes with a movable handlebar and a large basket. You can also select from a selection of infant car seats to transform the buggy into a pram. This includes the stylishly designed carrycot plus(tm) which is a cosy lie flat bed for newborns and babies that are up to 12 months old.
Safety
Having four wheels makes the pushchair much more stable, less likely to tip and easier to handle. It can also be safer for your baby as their weight is distributed more evenly across the frame of the pushchair.
A four-wheel buggy also tends to have a lower centre of gravity and therefore is more easy to roll up and over curbs. The fabric sling seat sits within the frame, not sitting on top like modular seats do, which makes for a low-slung seating position and a lighter buggy that is more easily maneuvered.
However, if you want to go for a run with your baby then a 4-wheeler might be better suited as it will have a suspension system that allows the front wheel to move independently of the back wheel so you can tackle bumpy roads and rough terrain be aware that not all buggies with 4 wheels are suitable for running (most are NOT, such as the Phil and Teds). The exception is Mountain Buggies which have a specially-designed suspension system that has been tested by an independent party on all terrains.