Made in the USA - The 2024 Catrike Recumbent Trike Lineup

Catrike has been making trikes in Florida for 24 years, and we have been selling them at Utah Trikes for almost as long. Catrike has continually refined its manufacturing operation to become a great representation of the “Made in the USA” logo and a worldwide recumbent trike leader. Their factory manufacturing operation is an example of efficiency, with parts and materials coming in at one end and finished trike kits pumping out the other. Catrike’s real success, though, can be seen in its proven trike design and engineering. Across the Catrike lineup, you will find trike models for nearly every type of rider, and no matter which model you choose, you will get a well-built and excellent handling trike

In this article we will discuss the current 2024 Catrike lineup and we’ll try to help you determine which Catrike model is best suited for you and your riding style. Unlike the manufacturers in the automobile industry, Catrike does not release their trikes with specific model years. Instead they roll any model changes into their ongoing continuous production as improvements are made. Here, we’ll be discussing the latest versions available. Instead of organizing the models by price or the year they were introduced, we’ll be grouping the trikes by their frame types.

Spaceframe Technology

One of the key things that makes a Catrike look like a Catrike is their very distinct frame designs. There are plenty of variations of Catrike frames, but they are all built off of the initial Space Frame Technology. The first three trikes that we’ll be talking about today are all very similar, and are built on the most simplified version of the Space Frame. Despite being targeted toward different riders

Before we get into that, what is a space frame? The space frame is Catrikes' solid frame design, where the seat is an integral part of the frame's support. On the Catrike space frame, the front of the seat is welded directly to the front cruciform bar, and the rear seat becomes part of the triangulated support of the main frame

The Pocket, the Expedition and the Catrike 700 All fully incorporate this original space frame design with a fixed seat frame that does not have an adjustable seat angle. But instead has an integrated seat angle that is part of the frame's design.

The key benefit of this design is that the frame is rigid. Because the seat is attached directly to the frame, the force of your pedal stroke is transferred directly into the mainframe. This gives you a more solid pushing-off point, benefiting your pedal power

The other key advantage of this frame style is that the trike is simple and lightweight. Compared to the other frames we will discuss later, they are decked out with different features, leaving the classic Space Frame as a more practical and easy-to-adjust-to type of trike. Now, let's talk about each of these three trike models specifically.

Now let's talk about each of these three trike models specifically

Catrike Pocket

The first trike we’ll examine is the Catrike Pocket. The Pocket is the smallest Catrike typically marketed as the solution for smaller trike Rider, but let's discuss that and see what it means.

The Pocket's cockpit area is 31 inches, the narrowest of all the Catrike models. Even though it's a bit slimmer, we look at the leg length and see it is the same as many of their other trikes. This means that the Pocket isn't just great for smaller riders but also a good option for many slender Riders, as it can accommodate the same x-seam as Catrike’s other larger trikes.

Because of its more petite build and skinnier wheel track, the Catrike Pocket is Catrike's lightest trike, weighing around 33 pounds. This makes transporting and moving your trike around much easier while weighing you down less as you ride

And with 20 inch wheels all the way around it's a good trike for fluctuating speeds and comfortable rides.

Catrike Expedition

Next, let's look at the key features of the Catrike Expedition. The Expedition and Pocket are both very similar trikes in appearance. The Expedition is like a larger version of the Pocket. It is a larger trike than the Pocket being approximately 2 inches wider with a longer wheelbase of 43 inches and a more reclined seat angle.

Besides size, the most significant difference between these trikes is that the Expedition has a 26-inch rear wheel versus the Pocket's 20-inch rear wheel. What does this mean for the rider? The 26-inch rear wheel provides a higher gear range and, in some cases, a smoother riding experience. The larger rear wheel also lends itself to a touring riding style. It lets you keep a more consistent pedaling cadence and makes pace a breeze.

If you want to learn more about this trike and also see it compared directly with the Catrike Pocket you can check out our video on the topic.

Catrike 700

Finally for the last of our space frames, let's discuss the Catrike 700. The 700 is an evolution of Catrike’s original Speed model trike. Over time, it grew to have a larger 700c rear wheel and is now considered to be Catrike’s racing model and one of the fastest production trikes on the market. In addition to a significantly more refined seat compared to the Pocket and the Expedition.

To provide more aerodynamics and efficient power output, the 700 has additional welded support between the mainframe and the seat rails that provide for an even stiffer ride for a minimum of power loss while peddling. In Catrike's latest version they have improved the seat mesh to help transfer this additional stiffness to the frame by adding additional straps across the mesh.

The Catrike 700 is also equipped with high pressure narrow Schwalbe Durano racing tires. As well as being durable and puncture resistant. The large seven hundred rear wheel provides the least rolling resistance of any Catrike due to its thin racing tire setup.

Built with so many speed efficient features as well as being lightweight it's no doubt that the Catrike 700 was made to race.

Adjustable Seats

The following two models in the Catrike lineup that we’ll be discussing are the Catrike villager and Catrikes newest model, the Catrike Max. Both models feature fully reclining and adjustable seats, with Catrike's super comfortable seat cushions instead of the mesh seats on the last
three trikes.

These two models show the next evolution of Catrike space frame technology. The front of the frame is still integrated into the cruciform section, with support towards the middle of the seat on the bottom. The seat is also connected directly to the frame.

Things are changing on these models because the rear part of the seat is now connected to the base of the seat with hinge bolts on either side and a locking adjustable bracket connecting it to the frame's rear. This allows the seat reclining angle to be adjusted by changing the position of the adjuster bracket.

These two models also feature the highest seat height of all the Catrike models. But their similarities do not end there.

Catrike Villager

The first one is The Catrike villager which has been Catrike’s most popular model for quite some time now. And it's no wonder why. The Catrike Villager features a higher seat and a more expansive cockpit ensuring maximum comfortability.

The Catrike Villager earned its name from its primary target demographic: the everyday rider who wants a comfortable and ergonomic casual trike. The Villager is a favorite among many riders, but it is trendy among older riders who are attracted to the higher seat height and ease of
entry

The Catrike Villager and the Max both feature a different style of seat mesh than the previously covered space frame models. This new seating arrangement features a 2-inch fully padded seat cushion. The primary seat mesh stretches across the seat frame tubing, then a thicker foam pad velcros onto it to securely hold it.

The Villager's seat is also much more upright. Whereas the Expedition and other Space Frame models feature a classic reclined position, the Catrike Villager is much more focused on being a comfortable vehicle for everyday riders, so the seat is higher off the ground and can be adjusted to various upright positions.

The Villager features Catrikes' standard bearing for gearing: a triple crankset in the front and a 10-speed cassette in the rear. It also has 20-inch road tires all around for comfortable pavement riding.

Catrike Max

The Catrike Max is Catrike's newest trike. Until 2023 the Villager was the only Catrike with just a folding frame until the Max came around. The Max and the Villager are both very similar trikes, each boasts elevated upright seating while also being wide and comfortable for casual riding.

However, the Max starts to differ when we look at the trike's spacing and dimensions. Once we check it out, we can see that the Max has an even more expansive cockpit and a wider seat than the Villager. This makes riding as a bigger rider much more enjoyable, giving you the room
to sit comfortably

To accommodate a heavier rider, The Max is Catrike's first model with a rider weight limit of more than 275 pounds; it is suitable for riders up to 400 pounds! With the broader seat and larger spacing between the handlebars, larger riders will feel more comfortable on the Max than on any other Catrike model.

Catrike has made other changes with the Catrike Max that have helped to provide the higher weight limit. These changes are wider tire rims across-the-board and a change to Catrike's 20 inch rear wheel by switching to a Thru axle rear hub to strengthen the frame.

The Catrike Max is also the only model to come stock with Catrike's very own Exit Assist bars making this already easily accessible trike as easy to access as can be.

And to differentiate itself from all the other Catrikes it comes stock with 1 speed gearing in the front and 11 speed gearing in the rear. Giving you a simplified riding experience and leaving you with a great template for a motor if you are looking to upgrade.

If you want a more indepth look at the Max and the Villager against each other we also made a video about that.

Folding Frames

The following two trikes share their adjustable seat with the previous trikes, but they also add a folding hinge to the base of the frame, allowing you to transport and store your trike easily.

One of the nicest features of Catrike’s folding mechanism that isn't found on other folding trikes is that the seat is not required to be removed during folding. Instead, the seat back itself is folded forward completely where a velcro strap secures it, and then the rear wheel folds in towards the bottom side of the trike tucking in between the two front wheels. Providing a very compact arrangement

All Catrike's folding models feature small castor wheels located near the hinge so you can move your folded trike easily, as well as a kickstand that is also used to tuck the chain while the trike is folded and prop your trike up as you expect a kickstand to do.

The Castor wheels make it easy to roll the trike around in its folded state similar to how you would take a piece of luggage through the airport.

Catrike Trail

After a design change in 2014, the Catrike Trail became the first Catrike to have a folding mechanism. Being able to fold changed the game and revolutionized how riders could transport and store their trikes. The folding hinge is engineered not to compromise the frame's integrity or riding performance

The Catrike Trail is similar to the Villager in that it is built and feels like a Villager, with the added benefit of a folding frame. Like the Villager, it has 20 inch wheels, perfect for saving space while folded. The Trail also comes with a standard thirty-speed factory gearing as stock. However, it is lower to the ground than the Villager, with the seat height as low as the Pocket at 9 inches while still giving you a more upright seating position.

The Trail is particularly well-suited as a folding trike. If you need a trike that takes up the least space or needs a convenient way to carry multiple trikes, this is perfect for you.

Catrike 559

Next up we have the 559. The Catrike 559 is like the trail's bigger brother. The two trikes are virtually identical in every way except for what's behind the seat. You'll notice that instead of a 20 inch wheel in the rear the Catrike 559 has a larger 26 inch rear wheel and a thru axle rear hub.This larger wheel in turn raises the gear range than what is found on the Catrike Trail.

The 559 takes all the portability and practicality of the trail and turns it into an efficient touring trike. Upgrading the wheel allows the 559 to have more consistent pedal speed and higher range of gearing to get you where you want in the best way possible. And because of this the 559 has become the go to trike for many daily commuters due to it being able to maintain speeds on flat grounds and downhill slopes.

Full Suspension

Catrike Dumont

If the 559 is the Trail's big brother, the Catrike Dumont is the fun rich uncle. A folding frame and adjustable seat are impressive but what if there was even more to spice up a trike up? That's where the Dumont comes in, with all around trike suspension.

For this trike take everything that the 559 is and now add suspension and you've got the Dumont. This is Catrike’s flagship trike and is the only model with suspension featuring a totally different spindle design.

The rear suspension features a single Pivot swingarm with a tunable rockshock air shock in the middle behind and under the seat. At the axle there are 2 full inches of travel. At the front, Catrike uses elastomer compression wedges they call Cellastos on both wheels. Where the rear airshock is more for absorbing large bumps that will make your ride uncomfortable whereas the Cellastos are there to minimize the smaller vibrations, especially the ones that can lead to hand fatigue.

The spindle design requires extensive engineering to ensure fluid suspension travel while locking out any stay motions. Despite the added suspension, the Catrike Dumont is still a sturdy and quick trike, taking what was already an excellent touring trike with the 559 and turning it into an absolute touring machine. And to date, the Catrike Dumont is the only Catrike with suspension

Similarities

Now that we’ve reviewed the trikes Catrike offers and what sets them apart, let's examine their similarities and what makes them all uniquely Catrike.

Material

All Catrikes are made from the same 7005 aircraft-grade aluminum alloy base material. This creates a super light but durable frame, making them some of the lightest trikes on the market to date. Being lightweight is also good because it allows these trikes to be fast without as much weight dragging them down and makes for much easier transportation. To make it even better, all of these trike frames are built in the United States straight from the Catrike factory in Florida

Catrike boom

All of the Catrike models use the same patented boom and boom clamp system for the boom. The boom itself is made of an extruded aluminum with number markings on the side. The boom is keyed with a slot on the top for easy alignment and adjustment. Not to mention, the quick-release levers make quick adjustments a breeze. All of the Catrikes have a standard length of the boom that it can be extended or pushed into, but if the boom is too long and you can't adjust it correctly, Catrike booms can be easily cut to size, and we are glad to do that for you here at Utah Trikes.

Handlebars

All the Catrikes have a consistent handlebar design as well, which is great for a consistent steering method across trikes. A special feature that makes all Catrike's unique is that they all have direct steering. This means that the handlebars are connected directly to the kingpin that steers the front wheels. Giving you a riding experience that is controlled by shifting your forearms side to side making a more intuitive and direct way of steering.

Another unique thing about Catrikes handling is that the handlebars are also two pieces allowing you a lot of dimensions of adjustment. You can adjust the horizontal steering arm where the vertical handlebar rests inward or outward from you, And you can loosen the vertical bars and move them forward away from you or more towards your body as well as lean them in or out. Perfect for whatever position is more comfortable for you.

Steering spindles

As is the case with most trike manufacturers, Catrike shares the same steering spindle across their different models. This is the case with every Catrike model with the exception of the Dumont, which as previously mentioned has its own suspension spindles.

Catrike uses a 20mm axle across the brand with a quick release axle, making removal of the front wheels relatively easy too.

The Catrike eCat Treatment

We can only talk about Catrikes if we mention the eCat upgrade. Catrike offers an integrated electric motor option for their trikes. Still, we've been adding motors to Catrike for about 17 years, and Catrike took a bit longer to offer a factory motor option.

Unlike many other brands, they chose the perfect motor model to complement their trikes. The Catrike eCat option is built around the Bosch ActiveLine Plus mid-drive motor system and converts the Catrike into a Class 1 eBike. The eCat system uses a custom boom with direct mounting for the motor. In addition, there is a rechargeable battery mounted under the seat on the right side

The eCat factory gearing includes the 11- speed SRAM wide-range cassette in the rear regardless of which model it is featured on. Paired with the Bosch motor integrated single chain ring up front. This is the perfect amount of gearing for most riders out there.

Starting last year, the eCat models now come with the Supernova lighting kit integrated into the motors battery system. This is a super bright and useful riding accessory, and the first time that Catrike has offered a lighting setup.

As a Class 1 motor-equipped trike, the Bosch motor requires pedaling input in order for the motor to activate. The torque-sensing motor adds assistance in a very smooth manner no matter how hard or fast you are pedaling. You can choose how much assist you want the motor to give you by choosing the power level on the integrated display system.

Catrike and UTCustom

Outside of Catrike factory options we also offer a lot of custom addons that we have been doing for over 17 years. Since we’ve been working with Catrike for such a long time we’ve been able to make a large number of UTCustom trikes and quads based off of their trike models. We’ve gone from just adding electric motors onto Catrikes all the way to giving trikes bigger tires and better gearing like in our Annihilator series of custom trikes, Added fat tires to all different models including the Dumont for ultimate off road ability, and not to mention changing whole frames and converted Catrikes into our Cat 4 and Fat Cat-4 quad trikes.

With such a great and simple build of a trike, Catrikes are the best trike for customizing while still delivering a well-rounded product. Catrikes' excellent engineering makes a beautiful first trike stock or not and can have so many things built upon it to fit you and your ride.

Summary

Deciding which Catrike is the best option for you should be easier now, but it's hard to go wrong with such a great variety. After working with Catrike for years, we can proudly say that we love every one of their trikes, and we’re sure that you will, too.

As with any trike we offer at Utah Trikes the specific configuration and setup is up to you. You can visit our configurators for each Catrike model to discover a wide array of options. If the stock colors aren’t what you’re looking for then don’t worry because our UTCustom color shop offers over 40 custom colors so you can make your trike uniquely yours.

And that’s the Catrike lineup! If you made it to the end of this video thank you for watching! We hope this video was informative and that you were able to learn a little bit more about Catrike and the trikes that they have in their lineup.

If you own a Catrike be sure to let us know what you think about it down in the comments.

And with that remember to relax, spin fast, and ride trikes