With top-of-the-range three-wheelers double the price of this – and then some – it’s tempting to think the Hauck Roadster SL is too good to be true, but if you’re short of money and won’t settle for more than three wheels, this could be the one for you. Just don’t expect too many whistles and bells for your money.
With such a bargain, it would be tempting just to analyse what’s been trimmed away to achieve that price, but it’s probably more positive to look at what you do get first. There’s a height-adjustable, nicely padded handle, a good-sized basket, adjustable footrest, well-padded straps and a padded detachable bumper bar. Added to this, it’s easy to put together, and a doddle to fold and unfold – and it’s freestanding and lockable when folded. One tester, Sara, has even managed to fold this buggy one-handed while holding her baby, Charlie. She has also found it easy to steer on smooth terrain and likes the fact that the swivel wheel means it takes corners well.
The pneumatic-tyred wheels are easy to fit to the chassis and offer a nice bouncy ride for your baby; the rear ones are quick release, while the front one is best left on, as removing it is a bit of a fiddle and likely to result in broken nails, but it folds neatly under the footrest so doesn’t get in the way. Reclining the seat using the strap at the back also worked well.
So far, so good. Where it falls down is in the smaller details, such as the lack of raincover and the slightly cheap feel of the fabric (this is removable and washable though).
A pump for the tyres, a viewing window in the top of the hood and perhaps a small pocket on the back wouldn’t go amiss either. The Roadster doesn’t feel as sturdy as some of the more expensive models, for example, in fixed mode the front wheel still moved around a lot and using this position didn’t noticeably improve the steering over bumpy grass in the local park.
What we love
The price, of course, and the way it handles about town. And it’s always helpful to have a buggy that’s easy to fold. What the fabrics lack in luxury, they make up for by being bright and fun.
What to watch out for
After six months’ use, Sara had to replace the front wheel (£12.50), which may be unlucky or a sign that it’s not as robust as other more expensive models. It also struck me as slightly odd that the front wheel is smaller than the other two – if you really want to go off-road, a bigger, fully fixable wheel is what you need. Do bear in mind that you’ll need to buy a raincover (£25.99) and probably cosytoes (from £26.99), which will bump that bargain price up a bit (OK, even including these, it’s still great value).
Who is the Hauck Roadster SL best for?
Parents on a budget with a yearning for the outdoors.
A competitively priced three-wheeler with some good functionality in terms of adjustability and steering. It lacks a few desirable features, but for that price some compromise is inevitable. Proof that you do get what you pay for.
