The Reason The Biggest "Myths" About 3 Wheeler Buggies Might Be True
3 Wheeler Buggies
A three-wheeler is perfect for rough terrain and provides an easy ride for your baby. They are also simpler to push and maneuver than a four-wheel buggy especially those equipped with fabric slings or seat units that are positioned tightly in the frame to provide the most efficient design and weight distribution.
Stability
A three-wheel buggy has excellent stability, which is why it's an ideal option for off-road walking (especially with an all-terrain or off-road style seat). 3 wheeled pushchair feature oversized front wheels, which cope well with bumps and kerbs as well as rough terrain. Some even come with a lockable front wheel to give extra stability when driving on uneven terrain.
It is important to keep in mind that 3-wheel buggies have a lower center of gravity than the 4-wheeled versions which means they can topple over more readily. The best 3-wheeled pushchairs have been built with the perfect design to ensure they stay solid in all conditions. They should be able of turning at a whim, be easy to steer with just one hand, and have the front wheel rotate 360o which makes them ideal for manoeuvring and navigating difficult terrain.
For really tricky surfaces be sure to choose an air-filled model also known as pneumatic tyres. These are made to handle roads that are not paved and can deal with mud, gravel, rock etc. Many all-terrain buggies feature an swivelling front wheel that can be locked to add stability when dealing with extremely rough ground too.
A tri-wheeled pram is a great choice for those who run and enjoy walking fast uphill. This is particularly true if you intend to attach an infant car seat or carrycot. The Roma Atlas is an excellent example. It has an incline-reclining seat that is flat, with a 5-point harness, and plenty of storage space for all your equipment (plus an extendable 50+ sun hood). It's lightweight, compact and suitable from birth and can be used in conjunction with the use of a car seat or carrycot. It can also handle a bit of light jogging but isn't intended for serious joggers.
Weight
If you are seeking a buggy that can take on difficult terrain, you should pick one with big tires. They will be able to handle cobbles, grass and dirt tracks and provide the smoothest ride for all passengers. They are also great for jogging because they have built in suspension and are simple to move up and down kerbs. However, they are quite heavy to push.
The best 3 wheel buggy for rough terrain is the Mountain Buggy Urban Glide 2 (pictured above). This 3-wheeler has 16 rear wheels, and a lockable swivel front wheel, so it's very manoeuvrable. It comes with air tyres which do need occasional pumping and can hold a child up to the age of 3. MFM reviewer Kath said that her toddler loved the shape of the seat and found it easy to steer with her 3-year-old son on board.
The Baby Jogger Versa GT is an alternative that is also a great choice. It comes with a movable handlebar, a hood made of high-end materials that offers 50+ UV protection as well as a high quality hood. It is also easy to move kerbs up and down and fits into a small car boot. It can be used as a stroller with an infant carrycot or toddlers.
Fabric slings are placed inside the frame and not on top as modular seats. This design has a lower centre-of-gravity, which is the right height. It is simpler to push and lighter to kerb pop (you can't underestimate the number of times you'll need to do this as a new parent!).
Seating
The seating capacity of 3 wheelers is impressive, and there are a number of different choices to choose from. The carrycot that comes with it is ideal for a baby (which MFM reviewer Alice describes as a comfortable and cosy lie-flat bed that can be used in and out of the buggy). Older babies and toddlers will love the spacious and padded seat unit with adjustable ventilation. The seats do not recline completely, but can be lowered to the lowest position. This should give your child plenty of room and headroom.
A sling made of fabric is also available. It is advantageous in that it is located inside the frame instead of being placed on top of it as a seat that is modular. This creates a lower center of gravity and a perfect weight distribution. This makes it much easier and lighter to push, particularly over bumpy terrains or curbs and MFM reviewer Kath really liked the way that this style of seat dealt with these obstacles.
This kind of buggy comes with an extensive basket and other beneficial features such as an extended hood with 50+ UV protection, an easy to use brake pedal, and a few innovative lights for visibility that can be positioned on the front of the passengers for improved safety on difficult terrain.
If you're seeking a buggy that will grow along with your family The sport(tm) is a first in the world, can accommodate the newborn, and later be modified to accommodate three or four children as they grow, all within a single footprint.
Storage
The 3-wheeled frame is more sturdy and can be moved by one hand. It's also more suitable for terrain that is difficult. The shopping basket is smaller than a four-wheeler.
A good quality ATP will come with a great suspension, pneumatic tyres and padding for the handle for your comfort. It is also equipped to carry a carrycot and car seat and you can use it from the time you are born.
MFM's reviewers have discovered that the 3-wheeler frame can't pass through all doors in their homes or small car boots - make sure you check the dimensions of the buggy when it's folded before buying if you're worried about space.
It's worth looking into a 3-wheeler that can take 2 (or even 3!) This is the best choice for your future and can save you money. The iCandy Strawberry Sport is among the most sought-after. It can be used from day dot as a single buggy and later transformed into twin buggies once your baby begins walking.
Tyres
These tires cushion bumps and uneven surfaces to make your child's journey more comfortable. You'll find these on pushchairs, such as the Phil & Ted's Sport which MFM reviewer Kath found to offer "an outstanding ride for my toddler". She also noted that its grippy tyres made it easy to tackle cobbles and kerbs.
They can be difficult to maintain and will need to be topped up frequently. They are also more prone to punctures than foam tyres so you'll need to make sure that you have a repair kit, spare inner tube and pump on hand when you are traveling with your buggy.
PU tyres can be found on a lot more pushchairs than air-filled tyres, but they are still just as sturdy. You can identify PU tire treads by their matte appearance and soft feel. They also slide over flat and tidy surfaces.
If you run your hand over the tyres, then you can determine if they're rubber or PU. If it feels as if it's sliding, then it's a rubber or PU. You can also check whether your buggy is equipped with PU tyres by sliding them across a flat, clean surface. They should roll smoothly and fit snugly into the wheel hubs.
Foam tyres can withstand the rough terrain that comes with high-performance buggies. This could make your buggy less stable since the foam loses its springy nature. You'll also find that these tyres may often be noisy as they make lots of noise when you turn and navigate your way through town.