3 Wheel Buggies: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

3 wheel double stroller Wheel Buggies

3 wheel buggies offer superb maneuverability with a stylish and sleek frame. Many of them come with a fabric sling with an incredibly comfortable lay flat bed that is perfect for weight distribution and are suitable starting at birth.

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

Stability

Three-wheel buggies provide plenty of stability. They don't fall over as easily when you are going straight. They also allow you to maneuver them more quickly. If you stop or turn abruptly, they can lose stability and tip over. Some manufacturers add an extra wheel to their 3 wheel stroller for newborn-wheel buggy designs to increase the stability of the chassis.

You can also take on off-road terrain using the additional wheel. Find models with air-filled tires (also known as pneumatic tyres) that can be used to handle off-road trails, sand, dirt, as well as other surfaces like sand and rock. They'll also include a lockable front wheel to give stability over rough ground.

The buggies are simple 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're looking for a fabric seat they are typically less upright in comparison to modular seats. This means that your baby's centre of gravity will be closer to the ground, instantly ensuring a smoother ride.

Best known for its car seats, Maxi-Cosi has recently added a lightweight travel system and pushchair 3 wheels to its line-up with the attractive Citylife. The 3-in-1 model was designed for urban living and is compatible starting at birth with a newborn carrycot or infant car seat. It has four wheels and an unique pewter-black frame that the brand calls'slim and compact. It's only 2cm wide than the Babyzen Yoyo.

Folding

There are a lot of 3 wheel buggies that can be folded in a compact way to can be tucked away in smaller spaces. They can be folded with one hand and are easy to wash down. The smallest models will feature an easy handlebar height adjustment, while others could have an adjustable suspension as well as an extendable 50+ UV canopy. Some models could have a large basket and brake levers that are quick-release.

The best 3 wheeler for rocky terrain

A 3-wheeled buggy is usually better equipped to handle off-road conditions compared to a 4-wheeled model however both can be a bit stuck on tight corners. A model with larger front and rear wheels will aid. This makes it easier to push them over rough terrain and can help you get up and down the steep slopes.

One option is the latest Roma Atlas, which has been praised for its quick handling, despite its 3-wheel design. MFM reviewer Kath tested it with her infant and her 3 wheel pushchair with car seat-year-old, and said "it handles really well over bumpy pavements, cobbles, gravel tracks and dirt roads as well as on some hills."

Another great alternative is the newest all-terrain 3 wheel buggy from Maxi-Cosi's car seat brand, called Stella. It is suitable from birth if used with a carrycot. It's a bit bigger than the lightweight 4-wheelers, but it features air-filled tires with three recline positions and a single-hand fold.

Its most appealing feature is its modularity it's compatible with all the car seats for infants from the brand and strollers. You can create your own travel system, regardless of whether you're planning to take a a short walk or a longer one, by using the chassis.

Tyres

The tyres for 3 wheel buggies come in a variety of styles and materials. Each comes with its own pros and cons. For instance, air-filled tyres provide a smooth ride and manoeuvrability, while foam-filled tyres last longer. The type you choose will depend on your needs and where you live.

If you intend to travel on roads that are not paved or on rough terrain frequently, you might be interested in a three-wheeler equipped with more robust tyres. Consider the kind of suspension you need. Strong suspension is useful for handling bumps and humps, but it can be heavy and increase the overall weight of your pushchair.

Another aspect to be considered is tyre size. Knowing how to read tyre sizing is crucial for ensuring safety performance, durability, and performance. The combination of letters and numbers on the tyre's sidewall might seem confusing until you get the hang of it, you will be able to understand the dimensions of the tyre. For example, a tyre size of "185/70 R14' means that the tire is a 185/70 radial with a 14 inch rim diameter.

PU tires are lighter and more puncture-resistant than rubber tires. If you're not sure if a pushchair has rubber or PU tires, you can test sliding the tires on a smooth and tied surface. If they move easily, then the tires are made from PU. If they don't then the tires are composed of rubber.

Suspension

The suspension of a three-wheel buggy will make it more comfortable for your child as it will absorb any knocks or bumps that occur from rough terrain. Large wheels that are ideally air-filled and can be locked for stability during jogging is also important as this will ensure that your buggy is capable of navigating off roads with ease.

There are many options for buggy styles that will suit any budget and style of life. The Mountain Buggy, for example, pioneered all-terrain agility in three-wheel buggies. 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, providing the lowest centre of gravity and sitting at the perfect height to ensure optimal weight distribution to easily tackle kerb pops.

The Urban Glide 2 by Thule is another great option. It sports sleek design, a big wheel that's easy to maneuver and combines it with exemplary suspension. It also features an adjustable handbrake that can be turned to make it easier of use. MFM reviewer Kath put this buggy through its paces by taking it for a walk on a rough terrain. She found that it performed admirably, saying that it "navigates over grass, bumpy cobbles, sidewalks, and dirt tracks, and even allows you to easily go up and down kerbs".

The Roma Atlas is another popular off-road model and, similar to the Urban Glide 2, comes in a variety of colors to complement your style. It also has an adjustable handlebar as well as a large basket. You can also select from a range of infant car seats that convert the buggy into a pram, such as the elegantly designed carrycot plus(tm) which is a cosy lie flat bed for newborns and babies that are up to 12 months old.

Safety

Having four wheels makes the double pushchair 3 wheeler much more stable, less likely to tip over and easier to handle. It also makes it safer for your child because the weight of their body is evenly distributed across the frame.

A four-wheeled buggy also tends to have a lower center of gravity, making it more easy to roll over curbs and up the stairs. The seats of the fabric sling are placed inside the frame and not on top as modular seats. This creates a low seat position and buggy that is easily maneuvered.

However, if you want to go out for an exercise with your child then a 4-wheeler may be more suitable as it has suspension that allows the front wheel to move independently of the rear one so you can tackle bumpy roads and rough terrain - just bear in mind not all buggies with 4 wheels are suitable for running (most aren't 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 across all types of terrain.