3 Wheel Buggies 10 Things I'd Loved To Know In The Past
3 Wheel Buggies
Three-wheel buggies are stylish and sleek, and have excellent maneuverability. Many of them come with a fabric sling with a comfortable lay flat bed, perfect weight distribution and are ideal from birth.
The wheels are bigger and, in many cases, include suspension to allow for smooth movements on 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 provide a lot of stability. They don't tip over more easily when moving straight. You can also maneuver them more quickly. However, if you try to stop or turn abruptly, they'll lose stability and could be prone to tipping over. Some manufacturers add an extra wheel to their 3-wheel buggy designs to improve the stability of the chassis.
The extra wheel also helps you to tackle off-road terrain. 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. three wheel pushchairs will also feature wheels that lock in the front to improve stability over rough terrain.
Buggies are easy to maneuver and agile thanks to the 360o front swivel wheel. They'll also pass the same rigorous global stability standards and tests as the 4-wheel buggies.
If you're looking for a seat made of fabric that are breathable, they tend to be 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 the smoothest ride.
Maxi-Cosi is most well-known for its car seats However, it recently expanded its product line with the Citylife lightweight travel system and pushchair. This 3-in-1 is ideal for urban living and comes with a newborn car seat or carrycot. It comes with 4 wheels and an exclusive pewter black aluminium frame, which the company claims is 'light 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 down to fit into smaller spaces. A lot of these buggies can be folded with one hand, and are easy to clean. The smallest models will have a simple adjustable height of the handlebars, while others could have an adjustable suspension and an expandable 50+ UV canopy. Some models could have large baskets and a brake lever that's quick-release.
The best 3 wheeler for rocky terrain
A 3-wheeler will typically be better able to cope with off-road conditions than one with four wheels, however both models can get stuck in tight spots. However, choosing a model with larger wheels on both sides can be beneficial. This makes it easier to push them across rough terrain and will aid in getting up and down high curbs.
The brand new Roma Atlas has been praised by many for its surprising agility despite its 3-wheeled design. MFM reviewer Kath tried it with her baby and 3-year-old son and reported that "it is very well-handled over cobbles, bumpy pavements, gravel tracks and dirt roads and also on some hills."
Stella, the new all-terrain 3-wheel buggy by Maxi-Cosi, is another option. It's suitable for babies when used in conjunction with the carrycot. It's smaller than the light 4wheelers (with a surprisingly slim frame of 54cm wide) however it has large air-filled tyres. It also has 3 recline positions, and a swift one-hand fold.
Its most appealing feature is its modularity, though it's compatible with all of the car seats for infants from the brand and strollers. This means you can create your ideal travel system for day-today or longer walks, using just the chassis as a starting point.
Tyres
The tyres for 3 wheel buggies come in a variety of styles and materials. Each comes with its own pros and cons. Air-filled tyres, for example provide an easy ride and excellent maneuverability while foam-filled tires are more durable. The type of tyre you choose will be determined by your lifestyle and where you live.
If you plan to travel on unpaved roads or in rough terrain frequently you may be interested in a three-wheeler that has more robust tyres. Take into consideration the type of suspension you require. A sturdy suspension is helpful for handling bumps and humps, but it can be heavy and contribute to the overall weight of your pushchair.
Another aspect to be considered is tyre size. Knowing how to read the tyre's size is essential for safety, performance and durability. The combination of letters and numbers on the sidewalls of tyres can appear confusing, but once you decode it, you can understand the dimensions of the tyre. For instance, a tyre's size of "185/70 R14 is a sign that the tire is a 185/70 radial with a 14-inch rim diameter.
In addition to being more durable, PU tires are also less heavy and puncture resistant than rubber ones. If you're unsure if the tires on a pushchair are rubber or PU tires, you can test sliding the tires on a smooth surface and tie them. If they slide easily, then the tires are made of PU. If they do not, then the tires are composed of rubber.
Suspension
The suspension of a 3 wheel buggy is a vital component to look for because it absorbs the smacks and bumps of rough terrain making it more comfortable for your child. Large wheels that are filled with air, and can be locked to provide stability when running are important. This will allow your buggy to navigate off-road surfaces easily.
There are many choices for buggy styles that will suit any lifestyle and budget. For instance the Mountain Buggy pioneered all terrain agility with its three-wheel buggies. With an engineering and geometry that is perfect, their fabrics sling seat rests comfortably inside the frame, in contrast to on top like modular seats, providing the lowest centre of gravity and sitting at the perfect height to ensure optimal weight distribution to easily tackle kerb pops.
Another option that is worth considering is the Urban Glide 2 from Thule which boasts a sleek design with a massive, manoeuvrable front wheel, excellent suspension and a simple handbrake with a twist. MFM reviewer Kath tested the buggy its paces by taking it for a walk on rough terrain. She was impressed with how it performed admirably and said that it "navigates over grass, bumpy cobbles, sidewalks and dirt tracks, and allows you to easily 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 suit your style. It also has an adjustable handlebar, a spacious basket and an ultraviolet hood that is 50+. You can also choose from a selection of infant car seats that will transform the buggy into pram. This includes the stylishly designed Carrycot Plus(tm) that is a comfortable, flat mattress for babies and infants until 12 months old.
Safety
Four wheels make a buggy more stable, less likely for it to tip over and easier to maneuver. It also makes it safer for your child as the weight of their body is evenly dispersed across the frame.
A four-wheeler is also likely 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 on top of it like modular seats do, which makes for a low-slung seating position and a comparatively lighter buggy that is more easily manoeuvred.
However, if you want to go out for a run with your baby then a 4-wheeler might be more suitable as it comes with a suspension system that allows the front wheel to move independently of the rear one to allow you to tackle bumpy roads and rough terrain Be aware that not all 4 wheel buggies 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 tested independently on all types of terrain.