3 Wheel Buggies: The Good The Bad And The Ugly

3 Wheel Buggies

Three-wheel buggies are elegant 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 suitable from birth.

The wheels are larger, and they also often come with suspension for agile smooth movements on different terrains. The only drawback is that they may be more heavy and bulkier to store and transport.

Stability

three wheel pushchair wheel buggies are very stable and don't tip over as easily as pushchairs with four wheels when traveling in a straight line. Also, you'll notice that you can manoeuvre them much more quickly and effortlessly. If you attempt to stop or turn abruptly they'll lose stability and could tip over. This is why some manufacturers add an extra wheel to their 3 wheel buggy designs in order to improve the stability of the chassis.

The extra wheel also helps you tackle off-road terrain. Look for models with air-filled tires (also called pneumatic tyres), which can handle off-road trails, sand, dirt, as well as other surfaces, such as sand and rock. These models will also feature wheels that lock on the front to increase stability over rough terrain.

Buggies are easy to maneuver and agile with 360o front swivel wheel. They will 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 a smoother ride.

best 3 wheel pushchair known for its car seats, Maxi-Cosi has recently added an ultra-light travel system and pushchair to its range with the attractive Citylife. The 3-in-1 model was designed for urban living and is suitable for newborns with a car seat or carrycot for infants. It comes with 4 wheels and an exclusive black pewter frame, which the brand claims is 'light and compact' - it's actually only 2cm wider than the Babyzen Yoyo.

Folding

There are a variety of three wheel buggies that can be folded in a compact way to fit into smaller spaces. They can be folded with one hand and are easy to wash down. Some of the tiniest models have a simple handlebar-height adjustment, while others have adjustable suspensions and a 50+ UV canopy that can be extended. Some models could have an enormous basket as well as a brake lever that is quick-release.

The most efficient 3 wheeler for rough terrain

A 3-wheeled buggy is usually better equipped to handle off-road terrain in comparison to a model with four wheels, though both can be a bit stuck on tight corners. But, picking 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 help you get up and down the steep slopes.

The new Roma Atlas has been praised by many for its surprising ability to move despite its three-wheeled design. MFM reviewer Kath used it with her baby and 3-year-old and said "it does really well on bumpy pavements, cobbles, dirt roads and gravel tracks as well as on a few hills."

Stella Stella, the all-terrain 3-wheel buggy from Maxi-Cosi is another great option. It is suitable for babies from birth if used with a carrycot. It's slightly bigger than the 4-wheelers that are lighter, but it features air-filled tires and three recline positions and a single-hand fold.

Its primary selling point is its modularity. It's compatible with all of the brands' baby strollers and car seats. This means you can build your ideal travel system for your day-to-day or longer walks, using only the chassis as a starting point.

Tyres

The tyres for 3 wheel buggies come in many styles and materials. Each one has its own pros and cons. For instance, tyres that are filled with air offer a great performance and a smooth ride, whereas foam-filled tyres last longer. The type you choose will be based on your personal preferences and the location you live in.

If you intend to travel on unpaved roads or in rough terrain frequently, you might be interested in a three-wheeler with more robust tyres. You should also think about the type of suspension you need. The suspensions that are strong are great for tackling bumps and humps but they can be heavy, adding to the overall weight.

Another important factor to consider is the size of the tyre. Understanding how to understand tyre sizing is vital for ensuring safety, performance, and durability. The combination of numbers and letters on the tyre's sidewall might appear confusing however, once you understand it, you can understand the dimensions of the tyre. For instance, a tyre size of '185/70 R14' means that the tire is a 185/70 radius with 14 inches of rim diameter.

PU tires are lighter and more puncture-resistant than rubber tires. If you are unsure if the tires on a pushchair are made of rubber or PU, try sliding the tires across an even surface. If they slide easily then the tires are made of PU. If they do not, then the tires are made of rubber.

Suspension

The suspension of a three-wheeled buggy can make it more comfortable for your child since it will absorb any bumps or knocks caused by rough terrain. Large wheels that are ideally air-filled and can be locked to ensure stability while jogging is essential to ensure that your buggy will be able to navigate off road surfaces with ease.

There are a variety of buggy styles to suit every budget and style of life. For instance the Mountain Buggy pioneered all terrain agility in a three-wheel buggie. With the perfect geometry and engineering their sling seat made of fabric rests comfortably inside the frame, in contrast to on top like modular seats, offering the lowest centre of gravity and sitting at the right height to ensure optimal weight distribution, allowing it to easily take on the kerb pops.

The Urban Glide 2 by Thule is another excellent option. It features an elegant design, a big wheel that's easy to move and combines it with exemplary suspension. It also has an adjustable handbrake that can be turned to make it easier of use. MFM reviewer Kath put this buggy through its tests by going for a ride through rough terrain. She found that it was able to handle it very well and said that it "navigates over grass, bumpy sidewalks, cobbles and dirt tracks, and makes it easy to drive up and down kerbs".

The Roma Atlas is another popular off-road model and, like the Urban Glide 2, comes in a range of colours to match your style. It also features an adjustable handlebar, a large basket and an ultraviolet hood that is 50+. You can also pick from a variety of infant car seats that convert the buggy into a pram, including the stylishly designed carrycot plus(tm) which is a cosy lie flat crib for babies and infants up to 12 months old.

Safety

Four wheels make a buggy much more stable and less likely to tip and easier to handle. It also makes it safer for your baby as 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 pop up and over curbs. The seat made of fabric is in the frame instead of over it as modular seats do, which results in a lower seating position and a lighter buggy that can be easily manoeuvred.

If you're planning to run with your child, then an all-wheeler is the best 3 wheel travel system option. It comes with an suspension system that allows the front wheel of the buggie to be independent from the rear. This will allow you to take on rough terrain or bumpy roads. However, not all 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 on all terrains.