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Catrike Expedition vs Trail

Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2014 5:56 pm
by Lady Cadence
Hello

I am currently looking at getting my first trike and kinda narrowed it down to two particular ones that will suit my purpose. My only dilemma is one has an adjustable seat and the other doesn't. I'm leaning more to the expedition for the spec but would like to sit in one before shelling out the $$$$

Does anyone have one of these bikes that I could maybe meet up with you and check out. I will be ordering it from flying furniture so I can't test ride or even check it out in real life.

Also any thoughts anyone has on these trike's would be great I'm not new to cycling just bent cycling. My main riding is commuting but I also enjoy long distance so comforts a huge factor.

Thanks
Jen

Re: Catrike Expedition vs Trail

Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2014 9:27 pm
by geebee
Have you checked out bentrideronline.com ? and search the forum as well, the site is American based and there is a lot of Catrike info.

Re: Catrike Expedition vs Trail

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2014 12:53 am
by Mbike23
The trail at 45 /52 has a very upright seat which will reduce the aerodynamics advantage of the recumbent. The expedition at 37 is still a comfort setting and is not down to racing angles. My GT5 has a seat angle of 40 and I'd prefer to lay back more over seating more upright.
Apart from the wheel sizes the rest seems either the same or very similar. Ie: 0.25m difference in turning circle and 100mm difference in length. I'd go the expedition even with having to carry two different tube sizes it'd be faster so more fun.

Re: Catrike Expedition vs Trail

Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2014 11:02 pm
by OldBloke
I have had a quick test ride in the Expedition at RSC in Sydney (http://recumbent.net.au/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and found it very comfortable (I'm 1.8m and 90kg).

Re: Catrike Expedition vs Trail

Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2014 4:26 pm
by geebee
Hmm the old 16" version of the 700 looks good :) and cheap (for a fast trike).

I agree with Mbike re the Expedition the more reclined seat will be faster, better handling and more comfortable on longer rides as your weight is more spread out preventing recumbutt.

Hey Mbike reclined enough for you :) back tyre is 20".
Image
Sorry forgot it was a passworded to view.

Re: Catrike Expedition vs Trail

Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2014 6:49 pm
by zebee
One thing I have found is that starting out the more upright feels better (on a 2 wheeler anyway) but reasonably quickly you want to recline a bit more.

So I'd say go more reclined too, and if it feels odd to start with keep going as it will feel better as time goes on.

Re: Catrike Expedition vs Trail

Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2014 7:57 pm
by Riggsbie
Definitely get a trike with an adjustable seat angle.....

It's nice to go low for speed and more upright for recreational rides !


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Re: Catrike Expedition vs Trail

Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2014 8:30 pm
by Mbike23
The Trail is 45 to 52 degrees all very up right so recreational only. Personally I think this sort of high angle compresses the stomage area too much and if inefficient. The lower seat angle opens this area up and spreads the weight more across the back, so more comfortable on longer rides. Of course this could be just due to my fat gut. :oops:
Geebee can't see the photo but I assume 20 degrees or less too low for me and my general riding.
Riggsbie how did you go in the Oppy.

Re: Catrike Expedition vs Trail

Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2014 10:47 pm
by chuckchunder
Hi

you don't mention where you are from? I'm curious why the Catrike's?

Have you thought about second hand? There are some very nice trikes available second hand much cheaper than buying new. At the moment MR Components in Melbourne has a an Ice Q for $2500. Seat angle is adjustable 38-44deg, with rear suspension and ICE have an excellent reputation. Michael is very good to deal with, I have bought a couple of trikes from him, no other connection than that.

There was a villager going on Gumtree along with other trikes, though some appear to be a little overpriced : ) just checked, the villager isn't there now : (

Not much on OzHPV at the moment (in the way of trikes) but a couple http://www.ozhpv.org.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There's also a couple on WAHPV, I'm familiar with the Logo with the electric motor and it would be a good buy if the price dropped a little. It has been ridden very little. You could lose the electric motor wheel (maybe flog it on) and have a very nice trike. http://www.wahpv.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

just thinking out loud.....

cheers

Re: Catrike Expedition vs Trail

Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2014 10:55 pm
by geebee
I would second that MR components are excellent to deal with and will make sure you are happy, thats where my GLR came from :)

Re: Catrike Expedition vs Trail

Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2014 11:42 pm
by chuckchunder
couple of things about the Expedition and Villager spring to mind...

you mention the difference in the spec but the drivetrains are identical? anyway the Expedition with the bigger rear wheel has a low gear of about 21inches compared to around 15inches on the Villager. On my 700 I ended up swapping the 30 tooth ring for a 24 to get up the local hills.

I was surprised by the difference in feel of the large rear wheel on my 700. Based on that experience the Expedition has a longer wheelbase and larger rear wheel than the Villager which will make the ride feel smoother. The Villager though with three similar sized wheels means less spares to carry on those long tours.

cheers

Re: Catrike Expedition vs Trail

Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 7:05 pm
by Riggsbie
Mbike23 wrote: Riggsbie how did you go in the Oppy.
Hiya,

The Oppy starts at 8am Saturday morning.....

We have lost a few riders in the recumbent teams but still have 2 teams from Geelong/Melbourne area.....

Our route is 365km (thanks to Simon for sorting the route). So getting everything ready and heading to Wang on Friday morning.....getting a little excited :-). That may change after many hours of cycling.....


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Re: Catrike Expedition vs Trail

Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 10:35 pm
by Mbike23
Well all the best for the day hope it all goes smoothly.

Re: Catrike Expedition vs Trail

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2014 6:45 pm
by Lady Cadence
Hi everyone thanks for the feedback. I'm not as concerned about the seat angle being lower and the big wheel now it sounds better for me :) I'm located in Perth so with the limited options here I was looking at ordering the trike online. I loved the ICE brand ones but they are a bit more expensive so that's why the Catrike looked good. One of my friends here also suggested second hand might be a good option too. So I will start keeping my eye out. Ultimately if the trike works out and I become a convert I would like to ride audax with it. If it can help me be more comfortable on longer distance to an upright bike that would be great.