5 Laws That Anyone Working In 3 Wheel Buggies Should Be Aware Of

3 Wheel Buggies

Three-wheel buggies are stylish and sleek, and have great maneuverability. Many of them come with a fabric sling with a cosy lay flat bed, perfect weight distribution and are ideal starting at birth.

The wheels are larger and typically have suspension to ensure smooth, swift moving on different terrains. The only downside is that they can be heavier and more bulkier to store & transport.

Stability

Three wheel buggies are extremely solid - they don't fall over as easily as four-wheeled pushchairs when traveling in a straight line and you'll find that you can manoeuvre them much more quickly and efficiently. However, if you try to stop or turn abruptly, they'll lose stability and may be prone to tipping over. To avoid this, some 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 by adding an extra wheel. Look for models with air-filled tires (also known as pneumatic tyres) that are able to take on off-road paths, sand and dirt, as well as other surfaces such as rocks and sand. These models will also have wheels that lock on the front, which will increase the stability of the vehicle over rough terrain.

With the correct geometry, engineering and weight distribution these buggies can be turned on a dime - easy to steer with just one hand; have 360o front swivel wheels allowing agility and mobility to be easy and light in handling. They'll also be able to pass the same rigorous stability standards and tests as the 4-wheel buggies.

If you're looking for a cloth sling seat, they are typically placed lower in the frame than modular seats so that your baby's center of gravity is closer to the floor and provides a more comfortable ride and a lighter kerb pop (you do not need to apply as much pressure or exertion to get the buggy up and over the Kerb).

Most well-known for its car seats, Maxi-Cosi has recently added a light double pushchair 3 wheeler and travel system to its range with the eye-catching Citylife. This 3-in-1 is ideal for urban living, and comes with a newborn car seat or carrycot. It has 4 wheels and has an exclusive black pewter frame, which the company claims is 'slim and compact' - it's only 2cm wider than the Babyzen Yoyo.

Folding

There's a good choice of 3 wheel buggies that fold compactly to fit in smaller spaces. Many of them can be folded using a single hand and are easy to wash down. Some of the smaller models have a simple handlebar-height adjustment, whereas others come with adjustable suspensions and a 50+ UV canopy that can be extended. Some models may have an enormous basket as well as brake levers that are quick-release.

The best 3 wheel stroller travel system 3 wheeler for rocky terrain

A 3-wheeled vehicle is generally better equipped to handle off-road conditions in comparison to a model with four wheels but both can be a bit stuck on tight corners. A model with bigger rear and front wheels can aid. This allows you to push them across rough terrain and will help you get up and down high curbs.

The brand new Roma Atlas has been praised by many for its remarkable ability to move despite its three-wheeled design. MFM reviewer Kath tried it out with her baby, and she said that "it did really well on bumpy surfaces, cobbles and dirt roads, gravel tracks and some hills."

Another great alternative is the new all-terrain 3 wheel buggy from Maxi-Cosi's car seat brand which is called Stella. It's suitable from birth when used in conjunction with the carrycot and is a smaller than the light 4wheelers (with an impressively slim frame of 54cm wide) however it has large air-filled tyres, three recline positions, and a quick one-hand fold.

Its most appealing feature is its modularity. It's compatible across all the brand's infant strollers and car seats. This means that you can design your ideal travel system for day-to-day or longer walks, using just the chassis as a starting point.

Tyres

The tyres of 3 wheel buggies are available in a variety of styles and materials, and each has its pros and cons. For instance, tyres that are filled with air, offer an effortless ride and superior maneuverability, while foam-filled tires are more durable. The type you pick will depend on your lifestyle and where you live.

If you plan to travel on roads that are not paved or in rough terrain frequently, you might want to consider a three-wheeler equipped with more durable tyres. Take into consideration the type of suspension you require. A strong suspension is ideal for handling bumps and humps. However, it can be heavy and add to the overall weight of your pushchair.

Another crucial aspect to take into consideration is the tyre's size. Knowing how to read the size of the tyre is crucial for safety, performance, and durability. The combination of letters and numbers on a tyre's sidewall can seem initially, but understanding it allows you to understand the tyre's dimensions. A tyre with an 185/70 size R14, for example is a radial tire in 185/70 with 14-inch rim size.

PU tires are lighter and more puncture-resistant than rubber tires. If you're not sure if a pushchair has rubber or PU tires, try sliding the tires over an even and secure surface. If they slide easily then the tires are made of PU. If not, they are made of rubber.

Suspension

The suspension on a three wheel buggy is an essential component to look for because it will absorb the jolts and bumps of rough terrain, making it much more comfortable for your child. Large wheels which are filled with air and are lockable to provide stability when jogging also important as this will ensure that your buggy will be capable of navigating off road surfaces with ease.

There are many choices for buggy styles that will suit any lifestyle and budget. The Mountain Buggy, for example was the first to introduce all-terrain agility in a three-wheel buggie. With the perfect geometry and engineering their fabric sling seat is tucked away inside the frame, in contrast to being on top of modular seats, resulting in a lower centre of gravity and sitting at the ideal height to ensure optimal weight distribution to easily tackle the 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 the buggy through its trials by taking it for a walk on a rough terrain. She was impressed with how 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 like the Urban Glide 2, comes with a variety of colours to match your style. It also has an adjustable handlebar, a spacious basket, and an ultraviolet hood that is 50+. You can also pick from a variety of infant car seats that convert the buggy to a pram. This includes the elegantly designed Carrycot Plus(tm) which is a comfy lie-flat mattress for babies and infants up to 12 month old.

Safety

Having four wheels makes a buggy much more stable and less likely to tip over and easier to maneuver. It is also safer for your child because the weight of their body is evenly distributed across the frame.

A four-wheeled buggy has a lower center of gravity, which makes it easier to pop over curbs and walk up. The seat made of fabric is inside the frame rather than on top of it like modular seats do, which makes for a low-slung seating position and a lighter buggy that can be easily manoeuvred.

If you want to run with your child, then a 4-wheeler is the ideal option. It comes with a suspension system which allows the front wheel to be independent from the rear wheel. This allows you to navigate rough terrain or bumpy roads. However there are some limitations to four wheel buggies are able to be used for running. The exception is Mountain Buggies which have a specially-designed suspension system that has been tested independently across all kinds of terrain.