3 Wheel Buggies: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

3 Wheel Buggies

3 wheel buggies offer excellent maneuverability, and are a stylish, streamlined frame. Many of these feature seats made of fabric that have an incredibly comfortable lie flat bed and perfect weight distribution, ideal for babies from birth.

The wheels are larger, and they also often include suspension to allow for smooth movement on various terrains. The only drawback to these wheels is that they may be bulkier and heavier to store and transport.

Stability

Three wheel buggies are extremely stable and don't tip over as easily as pushchairs that have four wheels when traveling in a straight line, and you'll be able to move them more quickly and easily. If you attempt to stop or turn suddenly they'll lose stability and may be prone to tipping over. Some manufacturers add an extra wheel to their 3-wheel buggy designs in order to increase the stability of the chassis.

You can also take on off-road terrain with the extra wheel. Look out for models with air-filled tyres (also known as pneumatic tyres) as they are able to deal with off-road paths and other surfaces like sand, mud and rock. They'll also usually have an adjustable front wheel that locks to add stability over really rough ground.

The buggies are easy to maneuver and agile, thanks to a 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, then these tend to be placed lower in the frame than modular seats, so that your baby's center of gravity is closer to the ground which means a smoother ride and a lighter kerb pop (you do not need to apply as much pressure or effort to get the buggy up and over the Kerb).

best 3 wheel pushchair known for its car seats, Maxi-Cosi has recently added a lightweight travel system and pushchair to its product line with the striking Citylife. This 3 wheel infant stroller-in-1 model is designed for urban living and can be used from birth with a newborn car seat or carrycot for infants. It comes with 4 wheels and has an exclusive pewter black aluminium frame that the manufacturer claims is 'slim and compact'. It's just 2cm larger than the Babyzen Yoyo.

Folding

There are a lot of three wheel buggies that can be folded compactly and can fit into smaller spaces. They can be folded with a single hand and are simple to wash down. Some of the smallest models come with a simple handlebar height adjustment, while others have adjustable suspensions and an ultraviolet canopy of 50+ that can be extended. They may also have an enormous, spacious basket and a brake lever that is quick-release.

The most efficient 3 wheel buggy to tackle rough terrain

A twin 3 wheel stroller-wheeled buggy is usually better equipped to handle off-road terrain in comparison to a model with four wheels but both can be a bit stuck on tight corners. But, picking a model that has larger wheels on both sides can be beneficial. This makes them easier to push over rough ground and will often help with moving up and down steep kerbs.

The brand new Roma Atlas has been praised by many for its remarkable agility despite its three-wheeled design. MFM reviewer Kath tested it with her infant, and she said that "it handled really well on bumpy surfaces, cobbles gravel tracks, dirt roads, and some hills."

Another option is the latest all-terrain 3 wheel buggy from Maxi-Cosi, a car seat manufacturer named Stella. It's suitable for babies when used with the carrycot. It's a slightly larger than the lighter 4wheelers (with a surprisingly slim 54cm wide frame) but has big, air-filled tyres, 3 wheel tandem stroller recline positions, and a quick one-hand fold.

Its main selling feature is its modularity - it's compatible with all the brands' baby strollers and car seats. You can design your own travel system, whether you're planning to take a a short walk or a longer one using the chassis.

Tyres

The tyres for 3 wheel buggies are offered in a variety of styles and materials. Each comes with its own pros and cons. For instance, air-filled tyres provide an effortless ride and superior manoeuvrability while foam-filled tires are more durable. The type of tyre you choose will depend on your lifestyle and the place you live.

For instance, if plan to travel often on rough or muddy terrain, you might think about a 3-wheeler that has sturdier tires. Consider the type of suspension you require. The suspensions that are strong are great to deal with humps and bumps but they can be heavy and add to the overall weight.

Another important factor to consider is the tyre's size. Knowing how to determine the sizing of a tyre is essential for ensuring safety as well as performance and durability. The combination of numbers and letters on the sidewall of a tyre may be at first, but decoding it allows you to understand the tyre's dimensions. For example, a tyre size of "185/70 R14 indicates that the tire is a 185/70 radial with a 14 inch rim diameter.

In addition to being more durable, PU tires are also lighter and more puncture-resistant than rubber ones. If you're unsure whether the tires on a pushchair are rubber or PU tires, you can test sliding the tires on an even and secure surface. If the tires slide smoothly they are made of PU. If not, they are made of rubber.

Suspension

The suspension of 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. Large wheels that are filled with air, and that can be locked to ensure stability when jogging are also essential. This will enable your buggy to travel on off-road surfaces easily.

There are many options for buggy styles that will suit any budget and style of life. The Mountain Buggy, for example, pioneered all-terrain agility with three-wheel buggie. Their sling seats made of fabrics are designed with perfect design and engineering to fit comfortably inside the frame rather than on top, like modular seats. This provides an lower center of gravity, and allows it to be placed at the right height to distribute weight evenly to take on kerbs.

Another option that is worth considering is the Urban Glide 2 from Thule that has a sleek design with large highly manoeuvrable front wheel, excellent suspension and an easy-to-use handbrake with a twist. MFM reviewer Kath put the buggy through its trials by walking on a rough terrain. She found that it handled it really well and said that it "navigates over grass, bumpy sidewalks, cobbles and dirt tracks, and even makes it easy to go up and down kerbs".

The Roma Atlas is another popular off-road option that, similar to the Urban Glide 2, comes in a range of colours to complement your style. It also has an adjustable handlebar and a large basket. You can also select from a variety of infant car seats that convert the buggy into a pram. This includes the stylishly designed carrycot plus(tm) which is a cosy lie flat bed for newborns and babies from 12 months to 12 years old.

Safety

Four wheels make the buggy more stable and less likely to tip, and easier to maneuver. It also makes it more secure for your baby since their weight is distributed more evenly throughout the frame of the pushchair.

A four-wheeled buggy has lower center of gravity, making it easier to climb over curbs and walk up. The fabric sling seat sits in the frame instead of over it as modular seats do, which makes for a low-slung seating position and a lighter buggy that is more easily maneuverable.

If you're planning to run with your child, then a 4-wheeler is the ideal option. It comes with a suspension system that allows the front wheel of the buggie to move independently from the rear. This allows you to take on rough terrain or bumpy roads. However it is not the case that all 4 wheel buggies can be used for running. Mountain Buggies are the exception because they come with an exclusive suspension system that has been tested by an independent expert across all kinds of terrain.