Catrike 700 Recumbent Tadpole Tricycle
The Catrike 700 Tadpole

Catrike 700
The Catrike 700 may be the
fastest recumbent trike available, certainly the fastest for under
$3000. It is light, low and has a 700c rear wheel for lower rolling
resistance and smoother riding. It is much faster and lighter than some
more expensive “performance” trikes. Its 700c rear wheel helps give it a
130” high gear so it can make use of that speed too. No need for extra
large chainrings that may not shift well. I think the big rear tire
gives a bit less rolling resistance, especially on textured roads like
chip-seal pavement. The stock tires are a bit thin for some of the
varied conditions encountered when commuting or on gravel bike paths.
You could fit wider tires without much effort or expense. The 700c rear
wheel also gives a little smother ride, never a strong point on a
Catrike due to their rigid frames. The 700c” is a very common size,
spare tires and tubes will be easily available at any bike shop worth
their salt. The 16” (349 ERTO) front tires are considerably less common.
There are several good tires available but only recumbent savvy shops
will know about them. Its 2008 price of $2750 combined with its 33 lb
weight (on our digital scale) means it is less money and less massive
than some heavier, slower carbon fiber trikes.

Catrike 700 Tadpole Trike
Like all Catrikes the 700 has direct steering. Now before you say
“direct steer is twitchy at high speed” try the Catrike 700 yourself.
The 700 (and the Expedition, Catrike’s other, more versatile new trike)
have the longest wheelbase of any Catrike recumbent trikes. I think the
long wheelbase of these trikes gives them very good high speed
stability, the best I’ve felt in a direct steer bike and in my opinion
better than many indirect steer trikes. The longer wheel base also helps
eliminate brake steer which is already minimal on any Catrike.
The seat recline is not adjustable. Some riders will find the 27 degree
from horizontal seat on the 700 a bit extreme; your neck may not like it
for longer distances. It comes with the Catrike “Space” head rest, nice
but I never seem to get any headrest adjusted quite where I like it. The
700 certainly is very aero. The lumbar curve on the 700 seat is a nice
addition, I really like it. The Catrike seat cover has many buckles
which allow you to in effect adjust the amount of lumbar curve but
tightening and loosening them. Another nice addition is the Teracycle
chain idler. Quiet, smooth and durable, it may be the best idler in the
business.
Now the downside (every bike/trike has them.) The 7” seat height
combined with its 27 degree recline puts your head pretty low for
visibility in busy traffic, proceed with caution. The 33 lb weight comes
with a 250 lb weight limit, eliminating it from consideration for some
larger riders. At 2 ¼” the ground clearance will limit your riding in
some places like speed-bumps and rougher gravel roads. This is a large
trike, about 80” long. It will be harder to fit in a car than most
trikes. Like all Catrikes the 700 does not fold, but the pedal boom can
be removed if you have to. Like all Catrikes the seat-recline is not
adjustable. Like almost all tadpole trikes I personally feel it is to
low for riding safely in heavy traffic.
So, now you know how I like the 700. Try one for your self and see if
YOU like it too!
2008 Catrike 700 tadpole trike specifications:
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TECHNICAL DATA |
FIT & ERGONOMICS
|
COMPONENTS* |
FEATURES |
|
• Wheels
Front 16 " (349)
• Wheel Rear 700c
• Weight 33 Pounds (15.0 Kg)
• Wheel Base 45" (1143mm)
• Wheel Track 27.5” (699mm)
• Total Width 31.5" (800mm)
• Seat Height 7.00 " (178mm)
• Turning Circle 18' 4 " (5.59m)
• Turning Radius 110" (2.78m)
• Gear Inch Range 25” to 130”
• Ground Clearance 2.25” (57mm) |
• 27 Degrees
Ergo Seat (from
horizontal)
• Rider Weight Limit 250Lb.
• Seat Width 14" (355mm)
• Bottom Bracket 16" (406mm)
• X-Seam 39 to 46"
• (Option Extra Long Boom Up to 53") |
• 27 Speed
Drive Train
• Shimano Dura Ace Bar End Shifters
• Shimano LX Rear Derraileur
•
Avid BB7 Mechanical Disc Brakes
•
Avid FR5 Flat Pull Brake Lever
• Truvativ Elita EXO 165mm Triple Crankset
•
SRAM PG 950 11-32 cassette
• KMC X9 Chain
Standard Colors:
Silver Cat
or Black Cat
Optional Colors:
Basic MSRP $99 (White, Yellow, Red,
Blue)
Neon MSRP $129 (Lime Green, Pink)
Sparkle MSRP $149 (Orange, Red, British
Racing Green, Blue) |
• Schwalbe
Stelvio tires
• New Boom Clamp System
•Ackerman Compensation
•No Brake Steer
•Self Centering
• Clipless Pedals
• Mirror, Computer Sensor Mount
• Aluminum Rod Ends
• Double Bend Frame
• Ergo Seat
• Space Neck Rest
• Terra Cycle Pulley
• Exclusive patent pending Vertebrae Space Frame (VSF)
|
MSRP Complete US $2,750 PLUS
SHIPPING TO THE DEALER.
Catrike
Owner's Manual for the 700, Expedition, Pocket, Road, Speed & Trail
(pdf 2.95Mb)
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