3 Wheel Buggies
Three-wheel buggies look elegant and sleek, with excellent maneuverability. A lot of them come with a fabric sling seat with an incredibly comfortable lying flat bed and excellent weight distribution that is ideal from the moment of birth.
The wheels are bigger, and they also often include suspension to allow for smooth movements on various terrains. The only downside is that they may be heavier and more bulkier to store & transport.
Stability
Three-wheel buggies provide a lot of stability. They don't fall over as easily when moving straight. They also allow you to maneuver them more quickly. If you turn or stop abruptly, they can lose stability and tip over. For this reason, certain manufacturers add an extra wheel to their 3 wheel buggy designs to improve the stability of the chassis.
You can also take on off-road terrain using the additional wheel. Find models that have air-filled tires (also called pneumatic tyres) that are able to take on off-road routes, sand and mud, and other surfaces such as sand and rock. These models also come with a lockable wheel on the front to increase stability over rough terrain.
The buggies are easy to maneuver and agile with 360o front swivel wheel. They'll also be able to pass the same rigorous stability standards and tests as 4-wheel buggies.
If you're looking for a fabric sling seat, then these tend to be placed lower in the frame than modular seats, so that your baby's centre of gravity is closer to the ground and provides a more comfortable ride and less kerb pop (you do not need to apply as much pressure or exertion to get the buggy up and over a curb).
Maxi-Cosi is a household name for its car seat range however, it recently expanded its product range with the Citylife, a lightweight travel system and pushchair. This 3-in-1 model is designed for urban living and is suitable for newborns with a car seat or carrycot for infants. It comes with 4 wheels and uses an exclusive pewter black aluminium frame, which the brand claims is 'light and compact'. It's actually only 2cm wider than the Babyzen Yoyo.
Folding
There are a variety of three wheel buggies that can be folded down to can be tucked away in smaller spaces. They can be folded with a single hand and are easy to wipe down. The smallest models will have a basic handlebar height adjustment, while others may have an adjustable suspension or an extended 50+ UV canopy. They may also have an enormous, spacious basket and a brake lever with quick release.
The most efficient 3 wheeler for rough terrain
A 3-wheeled model is typically better equipped to handle off-road conditions when compared to a four-wheeled model however both can be a bit stuck on tight corners. A model with bigger front and rear wheels will help. This allows them to push over rough ground and is often helpful in getting up and down high kerbs.
One option is the latest Roma Atlas, which has been praised for its surprisingly agile handling despite its 3-wheel design. MFM reviewer Kath used it with her baby and 3-year-old son and reported that "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, called Stella. It's suitable from birth when used with the carrycot. It's little bigger than the lightweight 4wheelers (with a surprisingly slim frame of 54cm wide) however it has large air-filled tyres, three recline positions, and a swift one-hand fold.
Its primary selling point is its modularity. It's compatible with all of the brands' car seats and strollers for infants. This means you can build your ideal travel system for day-to-day or longer walks, using only the chassis as a starting point.
Tyres
The tyres for 3 wheel buggies are offered in a variety of styles and materials. Each one has its own pros and cons. For instance, tyres that are filled with air offer a great performance and a smooth ride, whereas foam-filled tyres are more durable. The kind of tyre you pick will be determined by your lifestyle and the place it is that you live.
If you intend to travel on unpaved roads or on rough terrain frequently, you might want to consider a three-wheeler with more robust tyres. Consider the type of suspension you require. A sturdy suspension is helpful for handling bumps and humps, however it can be heavy and contribute to the overall weight of your pushchair.
Another crucial aspect to take into consideration is the tyre's size. Understanding the tyre size is important for safety, performance, and durability. lightweight 3 wheel stroller of letters and numbers on a tyre sidewall may appear confusing however, once you understand it, you'll be able to comprehend the dimensions of the tyre. A tyre that has the size 185/70 R14 for instance indicates that it is a radial tire with a diameter of 185/70 with 14-inch rim diameter.
In addition to being more durable, PU tires are less heavy and puncture resistant than rubber ones. If you aren't sure if the tires on a pushchair are made of rubber or PU, slide the tires on an even surface. If the tires slide smoothly they are made of PU. If not, then they are made of rubber.
Suspension
The suspension of a 3 wheel buggy is a vital element to look for as it will absorb the smacks and bumps of rough terrain, making it much more comfortable for your child. Having large wheels, that are air-filled, and are lockable to provide stability when jogging also important as this will ensure your buggy is capable of navigating off roads with ease.
Depending on the style of buggy you're looking for There are a variety of options to suit all lifestyles and budgets. The Mountain Buggy, for example was the first to introduce all-terrain agility in a three-wheel buggies. With the perfect geometry and engineering their sling seat made of fabric rests comfortably inside the frame as opposed to being on top of modular seats, resulting in a lower centre of gravity and sitting at the perfect height to ensure optimal weight distribution that allows it to easily handle the kerb pops.
Another great option is the Urban Glide 2 from Thule that boasts a sleek style with large highly manoeuvrable front wheel, excellent suspension and a simple twist handbrake. MFM reviewer Kath really put this buggy to the test by taking it for an excursion through the rough terrain and she was impressed with how it was able to handle the terrain well, stating that it 'flies easily over grass, bumpy cobbles, roads dirt tracks, and makes light work of climbing and descending the kerbs'.
The Roma Atlas is another popular off-road model and, like the Urban Glide 2, comes in a range of colours to complement your style. It also has an adjustable handlebar as well as 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 comfortable, flat baby bed suitable for infants and newborns from 12 months old.
Safety
Four wheels make the buggy more stable, less likely to tip, and easier to maneuver. It also makes it safer for your baby as their weight is distributed more evenly across the frame of the pushchair.
A four-wheel buggy also tends to have a lower center of gravity and therefore is easier to lift up and over curbs. The sling seat is affixed in the frame instead of over it as modular seats do, which makes for a low-slung seating position, and a lighter buggy that can be easily maneuverable.
However, if you want to go out for an exercise with your child then a 4-wheeler might be better suited since it comes with a suspension system that allows the front wheel to move independently of the back wheel to allow you to tackle bumpy roads and rough terrain Be aware that not all 4 wheel buggies are suitable for running (most are NOT, 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 terrains.