"Ask Me Anything:10 Answers To Your Questions About 3 Wheel Buggies
3 wheel travel system Wheel Buggies
3 wheel buggies offer superb maneuverability in a stylish and streamlined frame. A lot of them come with a fabric sling seat with a cosy lay flat bed and a perfect weight distribution that is ideal from birth.
The wheels are larger and typically have suspension to ensure smooth, agile moving on different terrains. The only drawback to these wheels is that they can be bulkier and heavier to transport and store.
Stability
Three wheel buggies are remarkably stable and don't tip over as easily as pushchairs with four wheels when they're in a straight line and you'll notice that you can manoeuvre them much more quickly and effortlessly. If you stop or turn abruptly, they can lose their stability and fall over. This is why certain manufacturers add an extra wheel to their 3 wheel buggy designs in order to improve the stability of the chassis.
The additional wheel can also help you navigate off-road terrain. Look for models that have air-filled tires (also called pneumatic tyres) that are able to take on off-road paths, sand and mud, and other surfaces like rocks and sand. They'll also typically have the option of locking the front wheel to add stability over really rough ground.
With the right design, engineering, and weight distribution these buggies can turn at a moment's notice - easy to steer using just one hand; they have 360o front swivel wheels that allow agility and mobility to be effortless and light to handle. They'll also pass the same rigorous stability standards and tests as 4-wheel buggies.
If you're looking for a fabric sling, then they are typically placed lower in the frame than modular seats so that your baby's centre of gravity is closer to the ground - instantly delivering a smoother ride and less kerb pop (you do not need to apply the same amount of pressure or effort to lift the buggy over and up the Kerb).
Maxi-Cosi is most well-known for its car seats However, it recently expanded its product range with the Citylife, a lightweight travel system and pushchair. This 3-in-1 is perfect for urban life, and comes with a baby car seat or carrycot. It has four wheels and a unique pewter-black aluminium frame that is described by the brand as'slim' and compact. It's smaller at 2cm than the Babyzen Yoyo.
Folding
There are many three wheel buggies that can be folded in a compact way to fit into smaller spaces. They can be folded with a single hand and are easy to wipe down. Some of the smaller models come with a simple handlebar height adjustment, while others have adjustable suspensions and an ultraviolet canopy of 50+ that can be extended. Certain models may come with a large basket and a brake lever that is quick-release.
The best 3 wheeler for rocky terrain
A 3-wheeler will typically be more adept at dealing with off-road conditions better than a 4-wheel model, but both can be stuck in tight places. But, picking a model with larger wheels both front and back will help. This will make them easier to push across rough terrain and can help in getting up and down high 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 3 wheel baby stroller-year-old and said "it does really well on bumpy pavements, cobbles, dirt roads and gravel tracks as well as on a few hills."
Another option is the latest all-terrain 3 wheel buggy from Maxi-Cosi, a car seat manufacturer which is called Stella. It's suitable from birth when used with the carrycot and is a slightly larger than the lighter 4wheelers (with an impressively slim 54cm wide frame) however it has large, air-filled tyres, 3 recline positions, and a quick one-hand fold.
Its primary selling point is its modularity - it's compatible with all 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 the chassis as a starting point.
Tyres
The tyres for 3 wheel buggies are available in many styles and materials. Each comes with its own pros and cons. For instance, air-filled tyres provide a smooth performance and maneuverability, whereas foam-filled tyres last longer. The type of tyre you select will be determined by your lifestyle and where you reside.
If you plan to travel on unpaved roads or rough terrain often you may want to consider a three-wheeler equipped with more robust tyres. You should also consider the type of suspension that you require. A strong suspension is ideal for handling bumps and humps, however it can be heavy and contribute to the overall weight of your pushchair.
The size of the tyre is crucial. Understanding the tyre size is important for safety, performance and longevity. The combination of numbers and letters on the sidewall of a tyre may be confusing initially, but decoding it allows you to understand the dimensions of the tyre. For instance, a tyre size of '185/70 R14 indicates that the tire is a 185/70 radius 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 not sure if the tires on a pushchair are rubber or PU tires, you can test sliding the tires across a smooth and tied surface. If they move easily, then the tires are made from PU. If not, then they are made of rubber.
Suspension
The suspension of a three-wheeled buggy will make it more comfortable for your child because it will absorb any bumps or knocks from rough terrain. 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 options for buggy styles to suit every lifestyle and budget. For example, the Mountain Buggy pioneered all terrain agility in a 3 wheeler buggies-wheel buggies. With perfect geometry and engineering their fabric sling seat rests comfortably inside the frame as opposed to sitting on top like modular seats, resulting in the lowest centre of gravity and sitting at the perfect height for optimal weight distribution that allows it to easily handle kerb pops.
Another option that is worth considering is the Urban Glide 2 from Thule that boasts a sleek style with a large, highly maneuverable front wheel, excellent suspension and a simple twist handbrake. MFM reviewer Kath put this buggy to the test by taking it on an excursion through the rough terrain and she found that it was able to handle the terrain well saying that it 'navigates effortlessly over bumpy grass, pavements, cobbles, dirt tracks and even makes light work of getting up and down the kerbs'.
The Roma Atlas, like the Urban Glide 2 is a popular off-road option. It comes in a range of colors that will complement your style. It also comes with an adjustable handlebar and a spacious basket. You can also pick from a variety of infant car seats that transform the buggy into pram. This includes the stylishly designed Carrycot Plus(tm) that is a comfortable, flat bed for newborns or babies up to 12 month old.
Safety
Having four wheels makes the pushchair much more stable, less likely to tip, and easier to handle. It is also safer for your child because the weight of their body is evenly dispersed across the frame.
A four-wheeler is also likely to have a lower centre of gravity, making it more easy to roll up and over curbs. The seat made of fabric is in the frame instead of sitting on top like modular seats do, which makes for a low-slung seating position and a comparatively lighter buggy that can be easily manoeuvred.
However, if you'd like to go out for an exercise with your child then a 4-wheeler may be better suited since it comes with a suspension system that allows the front wheel to move independently of the back one so you can tackle bumpy roads and rough terrain - just bear in mind not all 4 wheel buggies are suitable for running (most are NOT like the Phil and Teds). The exception is Mountain Buggies which have a specially-designed suspension system that has been tested by an independent party on all types of terrain.
