3 Wheel Buggies


Three-wheel buggies look elegant and sleek, with excellent maneuverability. A lot of them come with an upholstered sling seat that has an incredibly comfortable lay flat bed and a perfect weight distribution, ideal for babies from birth.

The wheels are larger and, in many cases, come with suspension for agile smooth movement over a variety of terrains. The only downside to these wheels is that they can be bulkier and heavier to transport and store.

Stability

Three-wheel buggies offer plenty of stability. They aren't prone to tipping over as easily when you are going straight. You can also manoeuvre them more quickly. However, if you try to turn or stop suddenly they'll lose their stability and may be prone to tipping over. Some manufacturers add an additional wheel to their 3-wheel buggy designs in order to increase the stability of the chassis.

You can also take on off-road terrain by adding an extra wheel. Find models that have air-filled tires (also known as pneumatic tyres) that can be used to handle off-road paths, sand and dirt, as well as other surfaces, such as sand and rock. They'll also usually come with the option of locking the front wheel to add stability over really rough terrain.

With the correct design, engineering, and weight distribution, these buggies can be turned on a dime - easy to steer using just one hand; have 360o front swivel wheels allowing agility and mobility to be easy and light in handling. They will also pass the same global stability standards and tests as buggies with four wheels.

If you are looking for a seat made of cloth they are typically less upright in comparison to modular seats. This means that your baby's centre of gravity will be closer to the ground - instantly ensuring the smoothest ride.

Best known for its car seats, Maxi-Cosi has recently added an ultra-light travel system and pushchair to its product line with the eye-catching Citylife. This 3-in-1 is ideal for urban living, and comes with a newborn car seat or carrycot. It has 4 wheels and a unique pewter black aluminium frame that the manufacturer claims is 'light and compact' - it's just 2cm larger than the Babyzen Yoyo.

Folding

There's a variety of 3 wheel buggies that fold down to fit in smaller space. They can be folded with a single hand and are easy to wash down. The smallest models will come with a simple adjustable height of the handlebars, while others may feature an adjustable suspension and an extended 50+ UV canopy. They may also feature large, spacious baskets and a brake lever that is quick-release.

The most reliable 3 wheel buggy to tackle rough terrain

A 3-wheel buggy will usually be more able to deal with off-road conditions better than one with four wheels, however both can get stuck in difficult places. A model with bigger front and rear wheels can help. This allows you to push them over rough terrain and can aid in getting up and down high curbs.

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

Another great alternative is the new all-terrain 3 wheel buggy made by Maxi-Cosi's car seat brand which is called Stella. It's suitable from birth when used with the carrycot and is a slightly larger than the lighter 4wheelers (with a surprisingly slim 54cm wide frame) however it has large air-filled tyres. It also has 3 recline positions, and a quick one-hand fold.

Its primary selling point is its modularity - it's compatible with all the brands' infant strollers and car seats. You can create your own travel system, regardless of whether you're planning to take a shorter walk or a longer one using the chassis.

Tyres

The tyres of 3 wheel buggies are available in a range of styles and materials, and each has its pros and cons. For instance, air-filled tyres offer a great performance and a smooth ride, whereas foam-filled tyres last longer. The type you pick will depend on your lifestyle and the location you live in.

For instance, if are planning to travel frequently on rough or muddy terrain, you might want to consider an all-wheeler with more durable tires. You should also consider the type of suspension that you require. Strong suspension is useful for handling bumps and humps. However, it can be heavy and add to the overall weight of your pushchair.

Another crucial aspect to take into consideration is the tyre's size. Understanding how to read tyre sizing is crucial for ensuring safety, performance, and durability. The combination of numbers and letters on a tyre sidewall may appear confusing, but once you decode it, you'll be able to comprehend the dimensions of the tyre. For instance, a tyre's size of "185/70 R14 indicates 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 a pushchair's tires are rubber or PU, slide the tires on a smooth surface. If the tires slide smoothly they are made of PU. If they do not, then the tires are made of rubber.

Suspension

The suspension on a three wheel buggy is an essential element to look for as it will absorb the smacks and bumps of rough terrain, making it much more comfortable for your baby. Having large wheels, which are filled with air and lockable for stability during jogging is also important as this will ensure your buggy is able to navigate off road surfaces easily.

There are many options for buggy designs to fit every budget and style of life. For example the Mountain Buggy pioneered all terrain agility in a 3-wheel buggies. Their sling seats made of fabrics are designed with perfect design and engineering to fit comfortably inside the frame rather than sitting on top like modular seats. This provides an lower center of gravity and is placed at the perfect height to distribute weight easily to take on bumps.

The Urban Glide 2 by Thule is another excellent option. It features sleek design, a large wheel that's easy to move and combines it with exemplary suspension. It also comes with a twist handbrake for ease of use. MFM reviewer Kath put this buggy to the test by taking it for a walk through rough ground and she was impressed with how it adapted to the terrain well. She said that it 'flies easily over grass, bumpy cobbles, roads dirt tracks, and makes light work of going up and down the kerbs'.

The Roma Atlas is another popular off-road option that, like the Urban Glide 2, comes in a range of colours to complement your style. It also comes with an adjustable handlebar and a spacious basket. You can also pick from a selection of infant car seats that convert the buggy into a pram, including the stylishly designed carrycot plus(tm) that is a comfortable lie-flat crib for babies and infants that are up to 12 months old.

Safety

The presence of four wheels makes the buggy more stable and less likely to tip over and easier to maneuver. It also makes it more secure for your baby since their weight is distributed more evenly across the frame of the pushchair.

A four-wheeler is also likely to have a lower center of gravity and therefore is easier to pop up and over curbs. The seats of the fabric sling are placed inside the frame, not on top like modular seats. This results in a low seating position and buggy that is easily moved.

However, if 3 wheeler pushchair want to go for a run with your baby then a 4-wheeler might be more suitable as it has suspension that allows the front wheel to move independently of the rear one to allow you to tackle rough terrains and bumpy roads Be aware that not all buggies with 4 wheels are suitable for running (most aren't like the Phil and Teds). Mountain Buggies are the exception since they feature an exclusive suspension system that has been tested by an independent expert across all kinds of terrain.