subject: Pushchairs: Swivel Wheels or Fixed? [print this page] Deciding upon what pushchair you want for your baby is one of the biggest decisions for your baby you'll have to make. After all, you will want a pushchair that is adequate for your needs as well as comfortable enough for your baby, when you travel together. One of choices you will have to make is what type of wheel you want on your pushchair, swivel or fixed?
Although it may not seem the most important factor, when choosing the pushchair, the wheel in fact may be one of the main deciding factors. It's just as important as any other component in the pushchair, maybe more so, because it is the device that helps you move and navigate your pushchair.
So what is a fixed wheel? A fixed wheel is set in a fixed position that does not allow for rotation. It allows you to go backwards and forwards with particular ease, making it not that much effort. Because of this, you can go much faster too, making it perfect for use in running, jogging or walking.
Swivel wheels on the other hand can rotate the full 360 degrees, making them ideal for situations where turning is needed, such as indoors, in cities and the supermarket. However, they are not as easy to use as a pushchair with fixed wheels as they are not as easy to push and are much slower. Unlike the fixed wheel, the swivel wheel is not good in particular weathers or soil types, for instance, the swivel wheeled pushchair can easily get stuck in snow, sand or soft ground.
Another consideration is the fact that the swivel wheeled pushchair is a little noisy, making it not the ideal pushchair for a sleepy baby. Although young children can sleep through pretty much anything, you may not want to take the risk of loud close up noises, especially if your youngster is sensitive to noise.
To counteract most of the problems swivel wheeled pushchairs have, you could look into locking swivel wheels, which enable you to lock the wheels into place whenever you want to. Although, it does not stop the noise, it will mean you can go a little faster without putting in too much effort. The locking swivel wheels are in no way as tightly fixed as the fixed wheels, but this option does offer the benefits of both, making the pushchair adaptable to the needs of each situation.
When making your choice consider what situations you will be mostly using your pushchair in, it will help you decide overall what type of pushchair is right for you and your baby.
