3 Wheel Buggies
3 wheel buggies offer excellent maneuverability in a stylish and streamlined frame. Many of these have an upholstered sling that has a comfortable lay flat bed, perfect weight distribution and are suitable for babies from the age of.
The wheels are bigger and, in many cases, include suspension to allow for smooth movement over different terrains. The only drawback is that they can be heavier and bulkier to store and transport.
Stability
Three-wheel buggies provide a lot of stability. They don't fall over more easily when driving straight. 3 wheel stroller travel system can also manoeuvre more swiftly. If you stop or turn abruptly, they may lose stability and even tip over. To avoid this, some manufacturers add an extra wheel to their three wheel buggy designs to improve the stability of the chassis.
You can also tackle off-road terrain with the extra wheel. Be sure to look for models with air-filled tyres (also called pneumatic tyres) because they can deal with off-road routes as well as other surfaces such as rocks, sand and mud. These models will also have an adjustable wheel that locks on the front, which will increase the stability of the vehicle over rough terrain.
The buggies are simple to maneuver and agile thanks to the 360o front swivel wheel. They will also pass the same stability standards worldwide and tests as buggies with four wheels.
If you're looking for a fabric sling seat, then they tend to be set lower in the frame than modular seats so that your baby's center of gravity is closer to the floor and provides a more comfortable ride and a lighter kerb pop (you don't need to apply as much pressure or exertion to get the buggy up and over the Kerb).
Maxi-Cosi is best known for its car seat range, but it has recently expanded its product range with the Citylife compact travel system and pushchair. 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 brand claims is 'slim and compact'. It's actually only 2cm wider than the Babyzen Yoyo.
Folding
There are a lot of 3 wheel buggies which can be folded in a compact way to can fit into smaller spaces. Many can be folded with one hand and are simple to wash down. The smallest models will come with a basic height adjustment for the handlebar, whereas others may have an adjustable suspension as well as an extended 50+ UV canopy. They may also have an enormous, spacious basket and a quick-release brake lever.
The most reliable 3 wheeled buggy for taking on rough terrain
A 3-wheeler is likely to be more adept at dealing with off-road terrain than a 4-wheel model, although both models can get stuck in tight places. A model with bigger front and rear wheels can help. This makes them easier to push over rough ground and will often help with getting up and down high kerbs.
The new Roma Atlas has been praised by many for its remarkable ability to move despite its three-wheeled design. MFM reviewer Kath tried it with her baby and her 3-year-old, and said "it handles really well over bumpy pavements, cobbles gravel tracks and dirt roads as well as on some hills."
Stella, the new all-terrain 3-wheel buggy by Maxi-Cosi is a great alternative. It is suitable from birth, if it is used in conjunction with a carrycot. It's a bit bigger than the 4-wheelers that are lighter, but it has air-filled tires, three recline positions, and an easy fold with one hand.
Its main selling feature is its modularity - it's compatible across all the brand's car seats and strollers for infants. You can design your own travel system, whether you're planning to take a shorter walk or a longer one, using the chassis.
Tyres
The tyres for 3 wheel buggies come in a variety of styles and materials, and each has its pros and cons. For instance, air-filled tyres provide a smooth ride and manoeuvrability, while foam-filled tyres are more durable. The type of tyre you select will depend on your lifestyle and the place it is that you live.
For example, if you plan to travel often on rough or unpaved terrain, you might want to consider a 3-wheeler with sturdier tyres. Think about the type of suspension you require. Suspensions that are strong are ideal to tackle humps and bumps but they can also be heavy, adding to the overall weight.
The size of the tyre is also important. Understanding how to read the tyre's size is essential for safety, performance and durability. The combination of letters and numbers on the sidewall of a tyre can be confusing initially, but decoding it will allow you to comprehend the dimensions of the tyre. For instance, a tyre's size of "185/70 R14' means that the tire is a 185/70 radial with a 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, slide the tires on the surface with a smooth surface. If the tires slide easily, they are made of PU. If not, then they are made of rubber.
Suspension
The suspension on a 3 wheel buggy is an essential aspect to consider as it will absorb the bumps and knocks of rough terrain, making it much more comfortable for your baby. Having large wheels, that are air-filled, and are lockable to ensure stability while jogging is essential to ensure that your buggy will be capable of maneuvering off road surfaces easily.
There are many choices for buggy styles to suit every budget and lifestyle. For instance the Mountain Buggy pioneered all terrain agility with its three-wheel buggies. Their sling seats made of fabrics are designed with precise geometry and engineering to fit perfectly inside the frame rather than sitting on top like modular seats. This creates an lower center of gravity and sits at the ideal height to distribute weight evenly to take on the kerbs.
Another option worth considering is the Urban Glide 2 from Thule that has a sleek design with a large, highly maneuverable front wheel, excellent suspension, and a simple handbrake with a twist. MFM reviewer Kath took this buggy to the test by taking it on a walk through rough ground and she found that it was able to handle the terrain well. She said that it 'flies easily over grass, bumpy cobbles, roads dirt tracks, and makes light work of getting up and down the kerbs'.
The Roma Atlas is another popular off-road model and, like the Urban Glide 2, comes in a variety of colors to suit your style. It also comes with an adjustable handlebar and a large basket. You can also choose from a selection of infant car seats that 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 up to 12 months old.
Safety
The presence of four wheels makes a buggy much more stable, less likely to tip and easier to handle. It can also be more secure for your baby since 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 up and over curbs. The fabric sling seats are placed inside the frame rather than on top of it like modular seats. This creates a low seat and a buggy that can be easily maneuvered.
However, if you'd like to go for a run with your baby then a 4-wheeler might be better suited as it has a suspension system that allows the front wheel to move independently of the back wheel so you can tackle rough terrains and bumpy roads Be aware that not all buggies with 4 wheels are suitable for running (most aren't, such as the Phil and Teds). The exception is Mountain Buggies which have a specially designed suspension system that has been independently tested across all terrains.