Catrike Recumbent Tadpole Trikes

Catrike Recumbent Trikes

 

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Catrike's Recumbent Tadpole Tricycles

 

 

Catrike makes Tadpole trikes that are some of the best values around, and they do it here in the USA! They build 5 models starting with the sub $1800 “Trail” to the sub $2800 “700”. If I’m not mistaken every Catrike model is the lightest trike in its price range.

 

Catrike Road - Test Ride

Keith checks out a new Catrike Road

 

One of the things I like about Catrike is that they stick to their strengths. Paulo Camasmie designs simple, light, quick, aluminum trikes. Then he designs his own tooling to build them efficiently in his own factory. He doesn’t seem to copy other trikes, he doesn’t experiment with different materials. He doesn’t prototype here and then import his products. Because of this all Catrike trikes have several similarities:

 

  1. They have aluminum frames cut, bent, machined, welded and painted in America.

  2. All are Tadpole trikes with two front wheels and one rear wheel.

  3. Because all Catrike seat frames are a welded part of the frame, none are foldable for transport, none have adjustable seat recline.

  4. All Catrikes are similarly light, from 29 to 35 lb.

  5. All Catrikes have direct steering.

  6. All Catrikes have mechanical disk brakes, one on each front wheel.

  7. All Catrikes have 27 speeds with front and rear derailleurs.

  8. All Catrikes have very little or no brake-steer, less than many/most other trikes.

  9. All Catrikes have slight pedal steer, sometimes more than other trikes.

  10. All Catrikes are the lightest & probably fastest in their price range.

I also like the way the Catrike line demonstrates that US producers can compete with Taiwanese imports, at least in a niche market.

 

Catrikes are Made in America

Catrikes Made in the US

Apparently other recumbent enthusiasts like them too, a Catrike was voted BentRider Trike of the Year in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 & 2007.


Here are a few things you might not like about Catrikes:

 

  1. They don’t fold. If you need folding check the Greenspeed GT1, GT3 & GT5.

  2. They are pretty rigid, you may feel road bumps a bit more than on some other trikes.

  3. The chain tube clamps may slip. This can be easily fixed with a piece of inner-tube.

  4. I’m 6’2” with a long torso; I sometimes find the seat backs to be a bit low.

  5. At 20+ MPH you need to relax your arms. If you are tense the steering can be touchy. It takes very little input to steer a Catrike. When I’m relaxed they steer by just thinking about it. A sneeze at high speed could be exciting… I find the steering on the longer wheelbase Catrike 700 and Expedition more relaxing at higher speeds.

  6. Twist-shifters detract from the Trail & Pocket. They are replaceable.

I don’t like twist shifters much on any USS (Under Seat Steering) recumbent. Twist shifters are designed for mountain bikes where you operate it with your stronger index and middle fingers. On a USS recumbent trike or bike with vertical handlebars you shift with your less robust pinky and ring fingers. On a direct steer trike it can take some practice to twist the shifter without turning the whole trike or bike. We have had several customers who find their hand strength is not up to the task. I’ll admit twist shifters do leave the top end of the handlebar available to mount a rear view mirror. I think this is the nicest place to mount a mirror on moist trikes (though the Greenspeed mirror mount is excellent too.)

If you don’t want twist shifters we can install Shimano Dura Ace bar end shifters and a Shimano LX rear derailleur on a new Catrike Trail or Pocket for $145. The Shimano Dura Ace bar end shifters are standard equipment on the Catrike Road, Speed, Expedition & 700.

The chain tubes are held in place with steel band clamps that occasionally slip. Putting a piece of inner tube as a friction inducing shim is easy and works well.

 

All Catrikes have a stiffer boom tube now, a welcomed improvement. They all come with 165 mm crank arms too which I think is a good idea for most riders.

Catrike won the BentRider Trike of the Year award in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 & 2007, they must be doing something right.

Stop in for a test ride, we try to always have a variety of Catrikes in stock so you can try before you buy.
 

Catrike Recumbent Tadpole Trikes from the Bicycle Man ~ the State's Largest selection of Recumbent tricycles (trikes) from Catrike including; Catrike 700, Catrike Expedition, Catrike Pocket, Catrike Road, Catrike Speed and the Catrike Trail in stock and available to test ride.

 

In our experience Catrike trikes have been more reliable than average and they have honored their warranty without a hassle.

 

 

 

Catrikes Home Page The Catrike 700 Tadpole Recumbent Tricycle The Catrike Expedition Tadpole Recumbent Tricycle The Catrike Pocket Tadpole Recumbent Tricycle The Catrike Road Tadpole Recumbent Tricycle The Catrike Speed Tadpole Recumbent Tricycle The Catrike Trail Tadpole Recumbent Tricycle
Catrikes Catrike 700 Catrike Expedition Catrike Pocket Catrike Road Catrike Speed Catrike Trail

 

Peter visited the Catrike factory in March of 2005 and Paulo Camasmie - (Owner of Catrike Recumbent Trikes) took a Linear Recumbent on a test ride

 

We also carry these recumbent brands:

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BICYCLE MAN (LLC) Peter Stull, President
OPEN 10:00-6:00, Wednesday through Saturday
570 Main Street, Alfred Station NY 14803
Phone: 607-587-8835

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