Catrike Explained

Catrike
ManufacturerBig Cat Human Powered Vehicles
Cycle lineTadpole style tricycles
Introduced
StatusIn production
Models7
Websitewww.catrike.com

Catrike is a brand of lightweight tadpole-design recumbent tricycles manufactured by Big Cat HPV, LLC, which is based in Orlando, Florida, United States. The company was founded in 1999 by Paulo Camasmie.[1] Catrike riders have an annual factory-sponsored rally in March.[2] Big Cat builds more trikes equipped with direct-steering than any other manufacturer in the world.[3]

Models

The 2020 Catrike line consists of eight models: the Expedition, Pocket, Trail, Villager, 700, Dumont, 5.5.9 and Eola. All Catrikes have heat-treated aluminum frames, front disc brakes and either a padded or nylon mesh seat. Steering is 'direct', via side levers, with Ackerman steering geometry. Rider size variations are accommodated via a telescoping boom that mounts the crankset.[4]

Road
  • The Road was the first Catrike model and was introduced in 2000. As a result of experience developing the Speed model, the Road was redesigned in 2003. The new version became available in 2004. The 2005 model introduced indirect steering, which proved more difficult to set the toe-in, and so, in 2006, direct steering was reintroduced. The Road has 200NaN0 wheels and is designed for general recreational use and touring.[5] [6] [7] The Road was upgraded with the Dumont's front suspension axles in 2017 and renamed Road AR. Production of the Road AR ended in early 2020.
    Speed
  • The Speed was the second Catrike model introduced and was first available on the market in 2003. It has a 200NaN0 drive wheel and 160NaN0 front wheels and, while it is designed to be fast, reviewers have also found it suitable for touring. The Speed was discontinued in 2011.[8] [9] [10]
    Pocket
  • The Pocket was introduced as a 2005 model year. It has 16" front wheels and a 200NaN0 rear wheel with a 370NaN0 wheelbase, shorter than that of the Road or Speed models. It is described as a "light trike that is compact and easy to transport." Reviewer Bryan Ball termed the 2005 model Pocket: "a light and spunky little trike with good handling and good comfort." It is especially intended for riders shorter than 5' 8" (173 cm) tall. The Pocket has a 45-degree seat angle.[11] [12] [13] [14]
    700
  • The 700 was introduced as a 2007 model. It is a performance trike with a 700C rear wheel and, originally 160NaN0 (ETRTO 349) front wheels. Subsequent changes to design include 20" (ETRTO 406) front wheels and a 'thru-axle' rear hub. It is the most reclined of all the models, with a 25-degree seat angle.[15]
    Expedition
  • The Expedition was introduced as a 2007 model. It is a recreational/performance/touring trike with a 260NaN0 rear wheel and 200NaN0 front wheels. It is the largest trike Catrike currently makes.[16]
    Trail
  • The Trail was introduced in the 2007 model year is a recreational/touring trike. It has 200NaN0 wheels and is smaller than the Road but larger than the Pocket. In reviewing it Bryan Ball said: "It’s quick, it feels light and responsive and it didn’t give me any nasty surprises."[17] [18]
    Villager
  • Introduced in 2008, the Villager is designed for urban settings and features comparatively greater ground clearance, a higher seat of 12.50NaN0 and a 50 degree seat angle. The Villager has 200NaN0 front and rear wheels. The 2008 model was introduced as a nine-speed with no front dérailleur. The 2009 model included the option of a front triple crankset, giving 27 speeds.[19] [20]
    Dash
  • The Dash, introduced in 2009, is designed for children and has 349/406 wheels. In reviewing the Dash, Parker Ball indicated that it is stable and that the rear wheel stays on the ground in fast stops. The Dash was discontinued at the end of 2011 due to low sales volume.[21] [22] [23]
    Musashi
  • In early 2010 Big Cat HPV introduced their first two-wheeled design, a short-wheelbase recumbent bicycle marketed under the Catbike name. The Musashi was discontinued at the end of 2011 to concentrate on trikes.[24]
    5.5.9
  • The 5.5.9 was introduced in 2015 and is named for the ETRTO tire size of 559, a 26" wheel, used on the trike's rear. The model is a folding design, and has a seat that is 20NaN0 higher than the Trail and 10NaN0 higher than the Expedition. The overall length is 40NaN0 longer than the Expedition when unfolded. Due to the folding hinge, the larger rear wheel and longer frame the model weighs 39.50NaN0.[25]
    Dumont
  • The Dumont was introduced in 2015 and has full suspension, a 26" rear wheel, and folds for storage. It features an anti-dive front suspension spindle.[26]
    Eola
  • The Eola was introduced in 2019 and features 20-inch wheels, a 1 x 11 drivetrain and behind seat storage bag.[27] The Eola ended production mid 2021.[28]
    In 2020 Catrike introduced a line of electric-assist models. versions are available on the Dumont, 5.5.9, Expedition, Trail, Pocket and Villager models.[29]

    Achievements and awards

    See also

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: History. 2009-09-21. Big cat HPV. 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20080512010854/http://www.catrike.com/pg_history.htm. 2008-05-12. dead.
    2. Web site: 2008 4th Annual Catrike Rally and Factory Tour. 2009-09-21. Big Cat HPV. n.d.. https://web.archive.org/web/20080514110806/http://www.catrike.com/rally.htm. 2008-05-14. dead.
    3. Web site: 2006 Catrike Road. 2009-09-27. Ball . Bryan . 2006.
    4. Web site: Catrike Owners Manual 2007. 2009-09-23. Big Cat HPV. 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20081221081642/http://www.catrike.com/manual/owner_2007_final.pdf. 2008-12-21. dead.
    5. Web site: Road. 2009-09-21. Big Cat HPV. n.d.. https://web.archive.org/web/20100324141844/http://www.catrike.com/road.htm. 2010-03-24. dead.
    6. Web site: Catrike Owners Manual 2004. 2009-09-23. Big Cat HPV. March 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20081221081651/http://www.catrike.com/manual/owner_manual_2004.pdf. 2008-12-21. dead.
    7. Web site: Catrike Road - Deja Vu All Over Again. 2009-09-27. Varney . Larry . 2004.
    8. Web site: Speed. 2009-09-21. Big Cat HPV. n.d.. https://web.archive.org/web/20100316040522/http://www.catrike.com/speed.htm. 2010-03-16. dead.
    9. Web site: Yes, It Is – the 2005 Catrike Speed. 2009-09-27. Varney . Larry . 2005.
    10. Web site: Catrike Speed - Long Term Test. 2009-09-27. Varney . Larry . 2003.
    11. Web site: Pocket. 2009-09-21. Big Cat HPV. n.d.. https://web.archive.org/web/20090408065104/http://www.catrike.com/pocket.htm. 2009-04-08. dead.
    12. Web site: Catrike Owners Manual 2005. 2009-09-23. Big Cat HPV. 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20090617030659/http://www.catrike.com/manual/owner_manual_2005.pdf. 2009-06-17. dead.
    13. Web site: Catrike Pocket...And It's Even My Favorite Color. 2009-09-27. Varney . Larry . 2005.
    14. Web site: 2005 Catrike Pocket. 2009-09-27. Ball . Bryan . 2005.
    15. Web site: 700. 2009-09-21. Big Cat HPV. n.d.. https://web.archive.org/web/20100316032757/http://www.catrike.com/700.htm. 2010-03-16. dead.
    16. Web site: Expedition. 2009-09-21. Big Cat HPV. n.d.. https://web.archive.org/web/20100324133707/http://www.catrike.com/expedition.htm. 2010-03-24. dead.
    17. Web site: Trail. 2009-09-21. Big Cat HPV. n.d.. https://web.archive.org/web/20100324132150/http://www.catrike.com/trail.htm. 2010-03-24. dead.
    18. Web site: Catrike Trail. 2009-10-03. Ball . Bryan . October 2007.
    19. Web site: Villager. 2009-09-21. Big Cat HPV. n.d.. https://web.archive.org/web/20100316033610/http://www.catrike.com/villager.htm. 2010-03-16. dead.
    20. Web site: A Fairytale Fable in Florida - the Catrike Villager. 2009-10-03. Varney . Larry . November 2008.
    21. Web site: Catrike Dash. 2009-09-18. Big Cat HPV. n.d.. https://web.archive.org/web/20090923194055/http://www.catrike.com/dash.htm. 2009-09-23. dead.
    22. Web site: Catrike Dash Video Review. 2009-09-27. Ball . Parker . September 2009.
    23. Web site: Catrike Product Updates. 6 April 2012. Big Cat HPV. 14 September 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120229170733/http://catrike.com/news.html#25. 29 February 2012. dead.
    24. Web site: Catbike Musashi. 2010-03-02. Big Cat HPV. 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100323062926/http://www.catrike.com/bik_musashi.htm. 2010-03-23. dead.
    25. Web site: Catrike 559. Bent Rider On Line . Ball . Brian . 2015.
    26. Web site: Catrike Dumont. Alpha Bent. 2016-10-10.
    27. Web site: Eola. 3 April 2020. Catrike. www.catrike.com. 2020.
    28. Web site: CATRIKE EOLA . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210813003925/https://bicycleman.com/catrike-eola/ . 2021-08-13 . 2021-11-22 . Bicycle Man.
    29. Web site: Catrike eCATS. 2021-11-24. catrikeconcept. en.
    30. Web site: Lucinda Chandler (Pink Panther) Interview. 2009-09-21. Grabert. Rafaela. n.d.. https://web.archive.org/web/20090812035139/http://www.catrike.com/interviews.html. 2009-08-12. dead.
    31. Web site: 2004 Readers' Choice Trike of the Year - Catrike Road. 2009-10-03. Ball . Bryan . 2004.

    This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Catrike".

    Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.