I can't tell you how much I've come to appreciate this 'review' on the line of Catrike Recumbent trikes! You clearly go over all the necessary 'pros' and 'cons' of each model w/in the Catrike line, w/out focusing all your time/attention on the often confusing 'mechanical aspects', which to us who are new to trikes, just don't understand when we go looking for trike reviews here on UA-cam! Thanks!
Thanks I’ve got a bunch of two wheeled Bents the trail is my first real tadpole. I had an older steel trike however it was a pain getting it in and out of my apartment. Little heads up for anyone looking for shock absorption. You can take a dense foam yoga mat folded a couple of times sit on it it’ll act like a Rans recumbent seat and absorb vibration and bumps
This is the best Catrike comparison I've seen in over 20 hours of researching recumbent tadpoles. Its also an excellent overview of what's available in tadpoles generally. I just laid down a deposit on a Catrike Expedition yesterday. I'm like a kid waiting to go to the amusement park right now until it arrives at the shop. Nicely done. Well written, Well Videoed. No time wasted here.
I have a Pocket I am 4' 9" and they had to cut the boom but I love it. Great to have a company that builds a great piece of equipment for shorties. Mine is lime green and a blast!
Thank you for this video. I'm a diamond frame rider that is just looking right now, I've seen a number of recumbents on the road lately and wanted to do a little research.
I bought a Challenge trike and a Bacchetta Giro Aluminum from you guys in 2006 and 2007. I hope you're still doing well. I am, partly due to the wheels I bought from you!
Yes thank you. We've changed the retail model away from a walk-in, retail, stocking shop to limiting to 2 brands and selling online. Take care and be safe. - Rob / RBR
There are many mechanical and performance advantages to the two-in-front design, which is commonly called a «tadpole» trike. The two-in-back, known as a «delta» trike, tends to be or feel less stable and can over steer easily. It also has trouble with braking, since it only has one front wheel. Two front brakes are better than one! Before you go to the trouble of building a trike, you probably should ride some, both delta and tadpole style, and see what you prefer.
GREAT OVERVIEW and superb sense of humor. Good work.....wish you had a store here in Alabama.......let's face it: Alabama is not big on recumbent trikes. Makes it so hard to test ride a bike.
Thanks Paul. I'm looking forward to doing another one as soon as the folding Catrike Trail sees the light of day. Plus, I've lost weight since recording that video, so it'd be nice to have 30 fewer pounds of me on UA-cam. :)
I like the higher seat of the Villager and its adjustable seat angles and the more recent Catrike models. But the senior market is going to be best served by higher seats with a more upright angle as well. TRIOT Trikes are the bomb if you can afford them! But they don't fold like the Dumont and other current Catrike models.
I have to disagree with the 700 review. It's made to sound like the 700 is only suitable for fast rides on smooth roads. I have the 700 in 'R' spec, and use it every day for commuting to work and back (24 miles) Admittedly, I swapped the tyres for Marathon Plus rear/Racers front for a bit more comfort, but even loaded up with rear rack&panniers, I find it comfortable enough.
I've owned both deltas and tadpoles. They are different, but one is NOT 'better' than the other. If you are shopping for a trike, test ride everything you can. They're all so different that you cannot make accurate assumptions just by looking at it. A good braking test is to hit one brake and see if the trike swerves. Some won't, and others will. You'll need to decide how much (if any) of that you can tolerate and buy your trike accordingly. Some tadpoles will lift the rear wheel off the ground under aggressive braking. Fun when you're expecting it, not so much when you're not. That's another thing to test for.
Thank you so much for wonderful information. I'm interested in Road Catrike. I'm from Bangalore, if I ever come to US, I don't mind coming to ur store. U have lots of choice to choose.
Never rode a recumbent trike before I bought a used 700 earlier this year. I was looking for something to help me work out my recently highly re-enforced, re-sectioned leg and being a former motorcycle road racer didn't want a Gramma bike. I usually stick to the bike trail ( it's low) and have reached 67 m.p.h.. Will have to upgrade to some better kevlar fronts as high-speed-braking and tight almost g-turns sadly took the rubber right off the fronts I had put on.
This guy is great! Why can't more videographers be like him? Add a little spunk(humor) to their story? Great review. But it's not 2012- it's 2017....where is my 5.5.9?
Good video. I'm wondering....could you tell me how many speeds each of these have, and if the last 2 trikes gear ranges are affected because of the bigger back wheels?
what did you get. i got a 700. why is the expedition more versatile. nice trike in isolation, but to look at its like a slightly less sporty looking 700 (its hard to tel them apart at a glance). however given the similarity, i cant see why its more versatile.
I liked your walk around and presentation. I have ridden regular bikes most of my life. Though I have never ridden a recumbent. These trikes have been fascinating me lately. I really want to ride one. I am a shorter rider at 5',5". I should use the pocket. Unfortunately I am over sixty and I have trouble with the up and down. Would there be anyway to get a pocket with larger wheels? If not what would you suggest?
The current Pocket has all 20" wheels. But ... you should see if you can get in and out with a trike like the Pocket. It's not as hard as you would think. The seat can't get too high because that would raise your center of gravity and make you more "tippy". If you are primarily non-road riding like paths and "rails-to-trails", there are trikes with all 24" that work well and you are higher but you'll be a bit slower and less sharp turns with speed.
Absolutely! You'll want to ride in moderation during your recovery (avoid hills, try to keep in lower gearing so you're pushing so hard on the pedals), but there are any number of recumbent trike riders who have continued to do so after knee replacements.
So the only reason a rear 700c wheel is desirable is for gearing?! I thought larger wheels meant lower rolling resistance, but it's true that RR doesn't increase with speed like air resistance. The part of a car that contributes most to its Cd is the rear, almost a third of it. So I'm surprised they don't go for a smaller rear wheel with appropriate compensatory gearing. Shouldn't really high gearing be easy? How each part of a car contributes to its total drag may surprise you. According to "Build Your Own Electric Car" by Brant & Leitman, in a typical 1970s car by %: body--rear = 33.3% = Cd 0.14 wheel wells = 21.4% = Cd 0.09 body--under = 14.3% = Cd 0.06 !!!! body--front = 11.9% !!!! = Cd 0.05 projections and indentations = 7.1% = Cd 0.03 engine compartment = 6.0% = Cd 0.025 body--skin friction = 6.0% = Cd 0.025 Total = 100% of a Cd of 0.42
Yes, trikes can be electrified by with a third party rear hub motor kit, but by themselves from Catrike, sorry no. Also, this video was made in 2012 so the prices are old. Go to there web site at www.catrike.com/ for their current offerings and prices. - Rob / RBR
Daffy Dill the new Catrike 700 (this is an older video) will be close if not better but with 3 wheels there’s one more wheel of ground touch resistance. Two wheel road version recumbents can/are faster.
U right buy a motorcycle and play for insurance and plates every year or monthly . Fuck that . Buy cycle ride for free .no payments for insurance. Everything u do there in the u.s .a. it's fucking money.money. Money.
Not as sad as your need to leave that comment. These are most definitely not kid bikes, but if they were, I'd recommend one to match your childish attitude.
not sad! not for kids, for stroke patients like me who can no longer ride 2 wheelers for example, they are great for sight seeing and photography, you are relaxed looking up not staring downward like a 10 speed, try one you will like it i bet
I can't tell you how much I've come to appreciate this 'review' on the line of Catrike Recumbent trikes! You clearly go over all the necessary 'pros' and 'cons' of each model w/in the Catrike line, w/out focusing all your time/attention on the often confusing 'mechanical aspects', which to us who are new to trikes, just don't understand when we go looking for trike reviews here on UA-cam! Thanks!
Thanks I’ve got a bunch of two wheeled Bents the trail is my first real tadpole. I had an older steel trike however it was a pain getting it in and out of my apartment.
Little heads up for anyone looking for shock absorption. You can take a dense foam yoga mat folded a couple of times sit on it it’ll act like a Rans recumbent seat and absorb vibration and bumps
This is the best Catrike comparison I've seen in over 20 hours of researching recumbent tadpoles. Its also an excellent overview of what's available in tadpoles generally. I just laid down a deposit on a Catrike Expedition yesterday. I'm like a kid waiting to go to the amusement park right now until it arrives at the shop. Nicely done. Well written, Well Videoed. No time wasted here.
Thanks for the thiught and effort you put into this. The sumnary at the end was particularly helpful.
I have a Pocket I am 4' 9" and they had to cut the boom but I love it. Great to have a company that builds a great piece of equipment for shorties. Mine is lime green and a blast!
Louis CK selling trikes now?
Great informative review. Ordered an expedition today.
I want an Expedition. These are fine machines. Thanks for showing all the models.
Thank you for this video. I'm a diamond frame rider that is just looking right now, I've seen a number of recumbents on the road lately and wanted to do a little research.
Superb overview of the Catrike range - Thanx so much!
I bought a Challenge trike and a Bacchetta Giro Aluminum from you guys in 2006 and 2007. I hope you're still doing well. I am, partly due to the wheels I bought from you!
Yes thank you. We've changed the retail model away from a walk-in, retail, stocking shop to limiting to 2 brands and selling online. Take care and be safe. - Rob / RBR
There are many mechanical and performance advantages to the two-in-front design, which is commonly called a «tadpole» trike. The two-in-back, known as a «delta» trike, tends to be or feel less stable and can over steer easily. It also has trouble with braking, since it only has one front wheel. Two front brakes are better than one! Before you go to the trouble of building a trike, you probably should ride some, both delta and tadpole style, and see what you prefer.
GREAT OVERVIEW and superb sense of humor. Good work.....wish you had a store here in Alabama.......let's face it: Alabama is not big on recumbent trikes. Makes it so hard to test ride a bike.
Thanks Paul. I'm looking forward to doing another one as soon as the folding Catrike Trail sees the light of day. Plus, I've lost weight since recording that video, so it'd be nice to have 30 fewer pounds of me on UA-cam. :)
Lol.....I'm 274lbs and hope that getting my fat but back on a trike will get me down to my fighting weight of 195. Sigh
Great video that covers the entire line.
Great overview of trikes , about the only thing missing is load rating for us big guys , i like the road model for the cushier ride .
Wow this is great info. Thanks for the service!
I would love to see you do one for the newer models 559 and the Dumont.You do a great job of explaining the differences.
Thanks! Unfortunately, we're phasing out our sales of Catrikes, so I doubt I'll have access to newer models.
Thanks for the information 👍
Thanks ... one of the best videos in youtube
I like the higher seat of the Villager and its adjustable seat angles and the more recent Catrike models. But the senior market is going to be best served by higher seats with a more upright angle as well. TRIOT Trikes are the bomb if you can afford them! But they don't fold like the Dumont and other current Catrike models.
Could you please re-do this video with an update... This was very informative, but I am wondering if it is still current... Thank you...
ZiggZagg11 It is definitely NOT current. The challenge is having all the models available at once. I'm surprised Catrike has never done this.
I have to disagree with the 700 review. It's made to sound like the 700 is only suitable for fast rides on smooth roads. I have the 700 in 'R' spec, and use it every day for commuting to work and back (24 miles) Admittedly, I swapped the tyres for Marathon Plus rear/Racers front for a bit more comfort, but even loaded up with rear rack&panniers, I find it comfortable enough.
I've owned both deltas and tadpoles. They are different, but one is NOT 'better' than the other. If you are shopping for a trike, test ride everything you can. They're all so different that you cannot make accurate assumptions just by looking at it.
A good braking test is to hit one brake and see if the trike swerves. Some won't, and others will. You'll need to decide how much (if any) of that you can tolerate and buy your trike accordingly. Some tadpoles will lift the rear wheel off the ground under aggressive braking. Fun when you're expecting it, not so much when you're not. That's another thing to test for.
Thank you so much for wonderful information. I'm interested in Road Catrike. I'm from Bangalore, if I ever come to US, I don't mind coming to ur store. U have lots of choice to choose.
Do you still get a cardio workout like upright bikes?
Very knowledgeable and detailed review. :)
nice! ty! i have a sun but would love to try these out!
Never rode a recumbent trike before I bought a used 700 earlier this year. I was looking for something to help me work out my recently highly re-enforced, re-sectioned leg and being a former motorcycle road racer didn't want a Gramma bike. I usually stick to the bike trail ( it's low) and have reached 67 m.p.h.. Will have to upgrade to some better kevlar fronts as high-speed-braking and tight almost g-turns sadly took the rubber right off the fronts I had put on.
Hola excelentes productos, que precio tienen, hacen envíos a Colombia ?
Quanto custa as tricicukos para o brazil
I'm the same height at 158 pounds and have no problem with the 700 :)
huh. didn't know louis c.k. sold trikes.
I get that a lot.
Maybe he gets " I didn't know Travis Prebble did stand up" alot too.
Now that would be special. :)
Travis Prebble you should get Louis C.K to come down for a free trike ;)
Sounds like Pocket or Road for me.
How do I attach a tote on this bike
What if you want speed and still use as a commuter with bag and fenders. 700 still wasted?
This guy is great! Why can't more videographers be like him? Add a little spunk(humor) to their story? Great review. But it's not 2012- it's 2017....where is my 5.5.9?
I promise if Catrike sends me a 5.5.9, I'll do a video of it. :) Thanks for the kind words on my work!
Good video. I'm wondering....could you tell me how many speeds each of these have, and if the last 2 trikes gear ranges are affected because of the bigger back wheels?
Great vid. I'm gonna buy either a 700 or expedition but can't decide. I like to ride fast but I also want versatility. decisions decisions ...
what did you get. i got a 700. why is the expedition more versatile. nice trike in isolation, but to look at its like a slightly less sporty looking 700 (its hard to tel them apart at a glance). however given the similarity, i cant see why its more versatile.
great looking trikes......
사륜은한화로 을마이며 세발은 을마입니까 꼭알고 십네요ㅛ
I liked your walk around and presentation. I have ridden regular bikes most of my life. Though I have never ridden a recumbent. These trikes have been fascinating me lately. I really want to ride one. I am a shorter rider at 5',5". I should use the pocket. Unfortunately I am over sixty and I have trouble with the up and down. Would there be anyway to get a pocket with larger wheels? If not what would you suggest?
The current Pocket has all 20" wheels. But ... you should see if you can get in and out with a trike like the Pocket. It's not as hard as you would think. The seat can't get too high because that would raise your center of gravity and make you more "tippy". If you are primarily non-road riding like paths and "rails-to-trails", there are trikes with all 24" that work well and you are higher but you'll be a bit slower and less sharp turns with speed.
I heard you were needing money Louis CK, but didn't know it was this desperate. Yes, I will buy a trike from you.
I put the CK in CatriKe. And now it's obvious why I don't make a living as a comedian. :(
Can people who have had replacement knee surgery, use a Catrike?
Absolutely! You'll want to ride in moderation during your recovery (avoid hills, try to keep in lower gearing so you're pushing so hard on the pedals), but there are any number of recumbent trike riders who have continued to do so after knee replacements.
Any with front suspension?
Why does the 700c have smaller front wheels than the Expedition?
To bring the front lower to the ground for better high speed stability and improved aerodynamics.
So the only reason a rear 700c wheel is desirable is for gearing?! I thought larger wheels meant lower rolling resistance, but it's true that RR doesn't increase with speed like air resistance. The part of a car that contributes most to its Cd is the rear, almost a third of it. So I'm surprised they don't go for a smaller rear wheel with appropriate compensatory gearing. Shouldn't really high gearing be easy?
How each part of a car contributes to its total drag may surprise you. According to "Build Your Own Electric Car" by Brant & Leitman, in a typical 1970s car by %:
body--rear = 33.3% = Cd 0.14
wheel wells = 21.4% = Cd 0.09
body--under = 14.3% = Cd 0.06
!!!! body--front = 11.9% !!!! = Cd 0.05
projections and indentations = 7.1% = Cd 0.03
engine compartment = 6.0% = Cd 0.025
body--skin friction = 6.0% = Cd 0.025
Total = 100% of a Cd of 0.42
Bryan Baker it is called base drag
Damn, when other comedians said #Metoo took everything from Louie, I didn't take it seriously.
Please add the prices. Are these electric?
Yes, trikes can be electrified by with a third party rear hub motor kit, but by themselves from Catrike, sorry no. Also, this video was made in 2012 so the prices are old. Go to there web site at www.catrike.com/ for their current offerings and prices. - Rob / RBR
Can you get the speed as on a conventional bike?
Daffy Dill the new Catrike 700 (this is an older video) will be close if not better but with 3 wheels there’s one more wheel of ground touch resistance. Two wheel road version recumbents can/are faster.
Can you ship to Brazil?
Catrike Speed? Not availabke?
Do we get it in India??
Not that I know of. Your best bet is to contact Catrike directly. Maybe they can help. Good luck.
Why is there no uk catrike dealer :(
CVT transmissions are not more efficient than exposed derailleur style gearing.
Nuvinci is already producing one.
视频中的 recumbent trikes 哪里可买到？（需要多少钱？）
中国可以吗？
Wait is that Louis CK?
The only Catrike I like is the "Road" due to the suspension, otherwise I like Terra Trike.
i really like that
Love my expedition very comfortable ride all day lo g
Nice
:) You’ll have to ask Catrike.
i enjoy this so munch i really like this i really love i love to ride long dinstance my cat i love
make it to pakistan standard hard metal light weight comportable & cheap to buy
shit!, i want the 700 but im only 5"7
Супер
B
you can buy a motorcycle for that money are you all nuts
Really?!? That’s what you got out of the video? Then... thank you for your input. BTW - We park them next to our Harleys. :)
id have thought riding a motorbike you'd be too used to being called nuts yourself to ever call anyone else nuts about what they do.
U right buy a motorcycle and play for insurance and plates every year or monthly . Fuck that . Buy cycle ride for free .no payments for insurance. Everything u do there in the u.s .a. it's fucking money.money.
Money.
Men on kids bikes. Sad
Not as sad as your need to leave that comment. These are most definitely not kid bikes, but if they were, I'd recommend one to match your childish attitude.
not sad! not for kids, for stroke patients like me who can no longer ride 2 wheelers for example, they are great for sight seeing and photography, you are relaxed looking up not staring downward like a 10 speed, try one you will like it i bet
LOL :-) Awesome :-) lol