25 Unexpected Facts About 3 Wheel Buggies
3 Wheel Buggies
3 wheel buggies provide excellent maneuverability, and are a stylish, sleek frame. Many of them come with an sling made of fabric with an incredibly comfortable lay flat bed, perfect weight distribution and are ideal starting at birth.
The wheels are bigger and often have suspension to allow for smooth, fluid mobility on various terrains. The only downside is that they may be more heavy and bulkier to store & transport.
Stability
Three wheel buggies are remarkably stable - they don't tip over as easily as pushchairs with four wheels when traveling in a straight line and you'll notice that you can move them more quickly and effortlessly. If you turn or stop abruptly, they can lose stability and tip over. This is why certain manufacturers add an additional wheel to their three wheel buggy designs to increase the stability of the chassis.
You can also conquer off-road terrain with the extra wheel. Look for models with air-filled tires (also known as pneumatic tyres), which can handle off-road paths, sand and mud, and other surfaces like rock and sand. They'll also typically have a lockable front wheel to provide stability on rough terrain.
Buggies are easy to maneuver and agile, thanks to a 360o front swivel wheel. They'll also be able to pass the same rigorous global stability standards and tests as the 4-wheel buggies.
If you are looking for a seat made of fabric, these tend to be lower in the frame compared to modular seats. This means that your baby's center of gravity will be closer to the ground, instantly ensuring an easier ride.
Maxi-Cosi is most well-known for its car seat collection, but it recently expanded its product line with the Citylife, a lightweight travel system and pushchair. This 3-in-1 is ideal for urban living, and comes with a newborn car seat or carrycot. It has 4 wheels and an exclusive black pewter frame that the manufacturer claims is 'light and compact' - it's just 2cm larger than the Babyzen Yoyo.
Folding
There's a good choice of 3 wheel buggies that fold compactly to fit in smaller space. Many can be folded with just one hand, and are easy to wipe down. Some of the smallest models have a simple handlebar-height adjustment, while others feature adjustable suspensions and a 50+ UV canopy that can be extended. They may also feature a large, spacious basket and a quick-release brake lever.
The most efficient 3 wheeled buggy for taking on rough terrain
A 3-wheeled vehicle is generally better equipped to handle off-road terrain compared to a 4-wheeled model, though both can be a bit stuck on tight corners.
3 wheel buggy with larger front and rear wheels will assist. This will make it easier to push them over rough terrain and will assist you in climbing up and down the steep slopes.
One option is the new Roma Atlas, which has been praised for its surprisingly agile handling despite its 3-wheel design. MFM reviewer Kath tried it with her baby and her 3-year-old, and said "it does really well on cobbles, bumpy pavements, dirt roads and gravel tracks and also on some hills."
Stella Stella, the brand new 3-wheel all-terrain buggy from Maxi-Cosi is another great option. It's suitable from birth when used with the carrycot. It's a slightly larger than the lighter 4wheelers (with a surprisingly slim 54cm wide frame) but it comes with big air-filled tyres. It also has 3 recline positions, and a quick one-hand fold.
Its most appealing feature is its modularity. It's compatible with all the brands' infant strollers and car seats. This means you can build your ideal travel system for your day-to-day or longer walks, using only the chassis as a starting point.
Tyres
The tyres for 3 wheel buggies are available in a variety of styles and types of materials. Each comes with its own pros and cons. Air-filled tyres, for example offer a smooth ride and great manoeuvrability while foam-filled tires are more durable. The type you select will depend on your lifestyle and where you live.
For instance, if you are planning to travel frequently on unpaved paths or rough terrain, you might think about a 3-wheeler that has sturdier tyres. Think about the kind of suspension you need. A strong suspension is ideal to handle bumps and humps, however it can be heavy and add to the overall weight of your pushchair.
The size of the tyre can be crucial. Understanding how to read the tyre size is important for safety, performance and longevity. The combination of letters and numbers on a tyre's sidewall can be confusing initially, but understanding it allows you to understand the dimensions of the tyre. A tyre having a size of 185/70 R14, for example, means that it is a radial tire with a diameter of the 185/70 size with a 14-inch rim diameter.
PU tires are lighter and more puncture-resistant than rubber tires. If you're unsure whether the tires of a pushchair are rubber or PU, simply slide the tires across an even surface. If the tires slide smoothly, they are made of PU. If not, then they are made of rubber.
Suspension
The suspension on a three wheel buggy is a vital element to look for as it will absorb the jolts and bumps of rough terrain making it much more comfortable for your baby. Large wheels that are ideally air-filled and are lockable to provide stability when jogging essential to ensure that your buggy will be capable of maneuvering off road surfaces easily.
There are a variety of buggy styles to suit every budget and style of life. For instance, the Mountain Buggy pioneered all terrain agility in a 3-wheel buggies. Their sling seats made of fabrics are designed with the perfect geometry and engineering that fits snugly inside the frame, instead of on top like modular seats. This creates a lower center of gravity and is placed at the perfect height to distribute weight evenly to tackle kerbs.
Another great option is the Urban Glide 2 from Thule that boasts a sleek style with a large, highly maneuverable front wheel, a great suspension and a simple twist handbrake. MFM reviewer Kath really put this buggy to the test by taking it on a walk through rough ground and found that it handled the terrain really well, stating that it 'flies easily over grass, bumpy cobbles, pavements, dirt tracks and even makes a light work of getting up and down kerbs'.
3 wheel pushchair , like the Urban Glide 2 is a popular off-road option. It comes in a variety of colours that will match your style. It also comes with a movable handlebar and a large basket. You can also pick from a variety of infant car seats that will convert the buggy to a pram. This includes the stylishly designed Carrycot Plus(tm), which is a comfy lie-flat baby bed suitable for infants and newborns from 12 months old.
Safety
Four wheels make the pushchair more stable, less likely for it to tip over, and more easy to maneuver. It can also be more secure for your child as their weight is distributed more evenly over the frame of the pushchair.
A four-wheeled buggy has lower center of gravity, making it easier to pop over curbs and climb up. The seats of the fabric sling are placed inside the frame rather than on top of it like modular seats. This results in a lower seat position and an automobile that is easily pushed.
However, if you'd like to go for a run with your baby then a 4-wheeler may be better suited as it comes with a suspension system that allows the front wheel to move independently of the rear one so you can tackle bumpy roads and rough terrain be aware that not all 4 wheel buggies are suitable for running (most aren't like the Phil and Teds). Mountain Buggies are the exception because they come with a specially-designed suspension system that's been tested by an independent expert across all terrains.