Matt's Catrike 700

[modularhalfpipe]

I live in the Berkshires of western Mass, which is all hills and mountains, and have found the "Road" was a really good choice for this area. I have gotten it up to about 40 so far, but it has been so windy and cold this spring, I'll wait till later for the extreme stuff. I imagine a 700 would be pretty tough around here with all the 17% hills, but that bigger rear wheel would be nice for the return trip.

[callmeshane303]

I dunno about you... but that rear facing tube that holds the crank shaft, looks like it's built to do all the worst possible damage to a guy, in a head in, that can ever possibly be done.

[UtahTrikes]

I find that the 700 is a little slower on the uphills, about the same on the flats, and a whole lot faster on the downhills. Overall, it is faster for me. If all I cared about was the speed it might be a tough call on some terrains, but the comfort of my trike ends up being the huge determining factor.

[KrunchyJD]

How does the cattrike 700 compare speed wise to an upright road bike on the flat, down hills, and up hills?

Just curious..

[rawmark]

Nice trike Matt. I am still trying to decide between an Expedition and a 700 myself but that is certainly one sweet bike. I also read your review on utah trikes but was having trouble selecting the same options that you modded yours with. Still, I may just call you folks after I pop over to a bike store that carries catrikes so that I can test them both.

[macthemechanic]

hi guys Im glad to see all this talk over my video. yeah basically the stock high gearing is well enough to climb pretty much any hill, although as its been said you will be traveling at low speed. compaired to my road bike, though the energy saved not having to balance and confort the trike is most deffinently my choice for riding. however i am a little biast being the head mechanic at utah trikes

[eldridgepaul]

@macthemechanic Very nice trike. At the moment i have a Windcheetah SL (Speedy) trike and a Bacchetta cafe. I have uprated the cafe from Sram X5 to X9 front and rear mechs with X9 trigger shifters. Avid Carbon Juicy 5 disc brakes. I have just put the Speedy up for sale as i have just ordered a new Windcheetah Compactsport which is being built at the moment (after what seems like a life time of saving up). I can't wait. Have you ever tried a Windcheetah?

[Hvitiris]

When it comes to climbing hills on a trike it's all about gears, you can't tip over so in theory you can climb as slowly as you want, spinning in an easy gear. Not very fast, but the point is you get up there, and then bomb down the other side. You could probably take on gradents that would be near impossible on a two-wheeler due to low speed balance issues. Shorter cranks are a good idea too, even at 6'3".

[snifnscratch]

what are they like at climbing? I live in a hilly area, so if recumbent trikes are very difficult/impossible to get uphill, then theres no point buying one. Any ideas anybody?

[plutoplatters]

hills are work no matter what the bike. If anyone rides a trike i could not imagine them not liking one. you can sit in the middle of a hill and rest. it's a totally different world. total comfort.

[snifnscratch]

I live in a hilly area, with some STEEP gradients and I dont want to travel at 2miles per hour, or stop halfway up.

My only reservation about trikes is riding uphill - I accept that they are far more comfortable and more aerodynamic. I`d be happy to buy a catrike 700, but I still have reservations about their uphill abilities. I guess I`d have to try one uphill before I buy, but here in the UK theres only one dealer, and they are in a flat area. If I couldnt ride it up steep hills I wouldnt own

[hauserkaspar]

@snifnscratch

Recumbent bikes and trikes are slower uphill but not a lot. Maybe you can try someone's trike in a hilly area to get some idea. The fun and comfort are more important to me. I bet you will be sold as soon you as you sit on one.

[snifnscratch]

I know I`d like a recumbent trike, but I question whether they can tackle STEEP hills, and whether I would fit a catrike 700 - I am 6`3" tall.

[hauserkaspar]

I'm 50 years old and not in a very good shape I took the uphills on this years 15 days trip from Garda to the Netherlands slowly . I don't think I would have been much faster on an upright bike. Would not do it anymore on a bike in the first place. Not fun.

Up to 10 % is no problem. 15 or 20% climbs can be done if the rear wheel has traction.

The Catrike 700 is very reclined and I wonder if that model is as good a climber as my ICE QNT. Try to contact some trike owners for a testride.

[hauserkaspar]

The Catrike Expedition is hardly any slower then the 700 but somewhat havier build. And the ICE Q with a 26" rear wheel might be your choise too. For us Europeans the ICE is cheaper then in the US. With the upgrades for coming year like a foldable frame and front suspension it is a great deal.

On the flats the Catrike 700 is fastest so they say. But still can't keep up with a fully faired trike like the Quest. But in the hills it is a different story. There weight is more important.