The Reason You Shouldn t Think About Improving Your 3 Wheel Buggies
3 Wheel Buggies
3 wheel buggies provide excellent maneuverability in a stylish and streamlined frame. A lot of them have an upholstered sling that has an incredibly comfortable lay flat bed that is perfect for weight distribution and are suitable for babies from the age of.
The wheels are larger and often have suspension to ensure smooth, fluid moving on different terrains. The only drawback is that they may be more heavy and bulkier to store & transport.
Stability
Three wheel buggies are remarkably stable and don't tip over as easily as pushchairs that have four wheels when they're in a straight line, and you'll find that you can move them more quickly and efficiently. If you stop or turn abruptly, they could lose their stability and fall over. Some manufacturers add an extra wheel to their 3-wheel buggy designs to improve the stability of the chassis.
The additional wheel can also help you to tackle off-road terrain. 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 rocks and sand. They'll also have an adjustable front wheel that locks to add stability over really rough ground.
With the correct geometry, engineering and weight distribution, these buggies can turn on a dime easy to steer with one hand; feature 360o front swivel wheel that allows mobility and agility to be effortless and light in handling. They'll also pass the same rigorous stability standards and tests as the 4-wheel buggies.
If you're looking for a cloth sling, then they tend to be set lower in the frame than modular seats, so that your baby's centre of gravity is closer to the floor which means a smoother ride and a less noticeable kerb pop (you don't have to exert the same amount of pressure or effort to lift the buggy up and over the Kerb).
Most well-known for its car seats, Maxi-Cosi has recently added a light travel system and pushchair to its product line with the attractive Citylife. This 3-in-1 is ideal for urban life, and comes with a newborn car seat or carrycot. It has 4 wheels and has a unique pewter black aluminium frame that the manufacturer claims is 'light and compact'. It's only 2cm wider than the Babyzen Yoyo.
Folding
There are a variety of three wheel buggies that can be folded compactly and fit into smaller spaces. They can be folded with a single hand and are easy to wipe down. Some of the smaller models have a simple height-of-handlebar adjustment, while others have adjustable suspensions and a 50+ UV canopy that can be extended. Some models could have an enormous basket as well as a brake lever that is quick-release.
The most reliable 3 wheeled buggy for taking on rough terrain
A 3 wheel pushchair with car seat-wheeled vehicle is generally better equipped to handle off-road terrain compared to a 4-wheeled model but both can get stuck on tight corners. A model with bigger front and rear wheels will help. This makes them easier to push over uneven ground and can help in moving up and down steep kerbs.
The brand new Roma Atlas has been praised by many for its astonishing ability to move despite its three-wheeled design. MFM reviewer Kath tested it with her infant and 3-year-old and said "it handles really well over cobbles, bumpy pavements, gravel tracks and dirt roads, as well as on a few hills."
Another great alternative is the newest all-terrain 3 wheel buggy made by Maxi-Cosi, a car seat manufacturer named Stella. It is suitable for babies from birth, if it is used in conjunction with a carrycot. It's slightly bigger than the lighter 4-wheelers but it has air-filled tires, three recline positions, and a one-handed fold.
Its main selling feature is its modularity - it's compatible with all the brands' car seats and strollers for infants. You can create your own travel system, whether you want to go on a short walk or a longer one using the chassis.
Tyres
The tyres for 3 wheel infant stroller wheel buggies are offered in a variety of styles and types of materials. Each has its own pros and cons. Air-filled tyres, for example, offer a smooth ride and great maneuverability while foam-filled tires are more durable. The type you pick will depend on your needs and where you live.
If you intend to travel on unpaved roads or rough terrain often you may want to consider a three-wheeler that has more durable tyres. Take into consideration the kind of suspension you need. Strong suspensions are useful to deal with humps and bumps but they can also be heavy and add to the overall weight.
The size of the tyre is crucial. Knowing how to read the size of the tyre is crucial for safety, performance and durability. The combination of numbers and letters on the sidewall of a tyre may be confusing initially, but understanding it allows you to understand the tyre's dimensions. A tyre having an 185/70 size R14, for example is a radial tire that has a size of 185/70 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, try sliding the tires across the surface with a smooth surface. If they slide easily then the tires are made of PU. If not, they are made of rubber.
Suspension
The suspension of a three-wheel buggy makes it more comfortable for your child because it absorbs any knocks or bumps that occur from rough terrain. A large wheel that are air-filled, and lockable for stability during jogging is also important as this will ensure that your buggy will be capable of navigating off roads with ease.
There are many choices for buggy styles to suit every budget and style of life. For example the Mountain Buggy pioneered all terrain agility with its three-wheel buggies. With perfect geometry and engineering, their fabrics sling seat is tucked away inside the frame as opposed to sitting on top like modular seats, resulting in a lower centre of gravity and sitting at the perfect height to ensure optimal weight distribution, allowing it to easily take on kerb pops.
Another option that is worth considering is the Urban Glide 2 from Thule that boasts a sleek style with large highly manoeuvrable front wheel, excellent suspension, and an easy-to-use handbrake that twists. MFM reviewer Kath put the buggy through its tests by walking on rough terrain. She found that it handled it really well and claimed that it "navigates over grass, bumpy cobbles, sidewalks, and dirt tracks, and even makes it easy to go up and down kerbs".
The Roma Atlas is another popular off road option and similar to the Urban Glide 2, comes in a variety of colors to suit your style. It also comes with a movable handlebar as well as a large basket. You can also choose from a variety of infant car seats that convert the buggy to a pram. This includes the stylishly designed Carrycot Plus(tm) which is a comfortable lie-flat mattress for babies and infants up to 12 month old.
Safety
Four wheels make the buggy more stable and less likely to tip over and is easier to maneuver. It can also be safer for your baby as their weight is distributed more evenly over the frame of the pushchair.
A four-wheeled buggy has lower center of gravity, which makes it easier to climb over curbs and walk up. The fabric sling seat sits inside the frame rather than sitting on top like modular seats do, which creates a low seating position and a lighter buggy that can be easily maneuverable.
If you're planning to run with your child, an all-wheeler is the best option. It comes with a suspension system which allows the front wheel of the buggie to be independent from the rear wheel. This will allow you to take on rough terrain or bumpy roads. However, not all 4 wheel buggies can be used for running. The exception is Mountain Buggies which have a specially-designed suspension system that has been tested by an independent party across all types of terrain.