Catrike FAQs
Catrike Villager
Are Catrikes Built In the USA?
Catrikes have been hand built in Orlando, Florida for over a quarter century! Catrike is the only brand -the ONLY- that actually makes trikes. All the others outsource manufacture -mostly to Asia. Why is that important? As you’ll see in the Catrike factory videos, there are names and faces to your Catrike: Partners Mark Egeland and (Catrike Founder) Paulo Camasmie. Mark implements Paulo’s founding vision: overseeing design and manufacture of ALL Catrikes according to Toyota Production method lean manufacturing.
Mark’s in the factory all day EVERY day with the welders, fabricators, painters, assemblers that he personally hired, trained and supervises. He knows every inch of that factory and NOTHING escapes his notice.
Our factory tour video is pretty amazing. Mark demonstrates Catrike’s zero-defect manufacturing -every step is quality-checked before moving to the next process. The result? RPDX has sold over 1000 Catrikes. We’ve never had a customer defect. Not one.
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GM Mark Egeland tells us a bit of The Catrike Way! Catrike is the only American-Made trike. More importantly, Catrike is the ONLY trike brand that actually manufactures -All the others outsource. Catrike keeps high-paying skilled jobs right here in the USA and produces the world’s best trike!
Catrike’s Mark Egeland tours the factory-adjacent bike path Janet and Mel. Mark explains the Catrike Way
This is it! American-made manufacturing at its peak!!
Catrike GM Mark Egeland walks us through the super-lean fabrication process YOUR Catrike undergoes
Does Catrike Build its own Wheels?
Absolutely! In the same way that Catrike is the ONLY brand that actually manufactures trikes (have we said that already?), an investment in a Holland wheel building machine makes it the ONLY brand that makes its own wheels. While competitors purchase by-the-thousand premade wheels that are ocean-freighted thousands of miles, every Catrike wheel is individually built and inspected.
What Is "Cat Way" Manufacturing?
Catrike’s own Toyota Production System-based lean manufacturing focused on simplicity, reliability, flow and visual controls to achieve the highest quality standard: Zero Defect manufacturing. Every Catrike leaves the factory perfect. Every time.
Frames TIG welded from aerospace-grade aluminum alloyed with magnesium, zinc, titanium and iron provide the maximum strength, stiffness and lifetime. Assuring every Catrike owner many thousands of miles of fabulous riding!
In house custom fixtures for cutting, bending welding, assembling and powder coating with quality testing between each step ensure EVERY Catrike is built to the same exacting standards. EVERY Catrike -regardless of model- is built defect free
What Components Are Common to All Catrikes?
- Hand-welded Aluminum Frame available in eight stunning colors!
- Wide-Geared Drivetrain. So, you’ll get a fabulous gear for hill climbing, but also a suitable gear for gaining speed for downhills.
- Bar End Shifters -indexed rear shifter ensures perfect gear changing every time
- SRAM Disc Brakes -the durable, lightweight SRAM BB7’s guarantee reliable stopping power.
- Padded Seat -Foam removeable seat pads on Villager, MAX, 559, Trail and Dumont. Lightly-cushioned mesh seat on Pocket, Expedition and 700
- Wrist Rests -a nice little detail standard on all Catrikes!
- Schwalbe Marathon Racer tires are lightweight and super durable. The MAX offers the larger Schwalbe Big Apples .
- SPD Compatible Pedals -Catrikes come standard!
- RPDX Purple Sky Flag from Portland’s own TerraCycle. Big, beautiful and rockin’ the RPDX logo!
- Front/Rear/Side Reflectors – Plus lots of lighting options
- Rear mirror on left side for a full traffic view
Is There an Adorable Video of Janet Describing Catrike Components?
Do Catrikes Have a Warranty?
We have a fuller description in our Store Policies page, but here are general terms: Catrike frames carry a five year warranty against defect. All other Catrike components have a one year warranty. We noted before that we’ve sold over 1000 Catrikes and we’ve NEVER had a single customer warranty issue. That’s impressive, huh?
Can I Add a Motor to a Catrike?
You CAN add a motor. RPDX offers both Catrike’s factory Bosch Smart System as well as the Bafang motor kits that RPDX imports directly. All our motor kits carry UL listing or equivalent and are covered by a two year warranty. We talk more about motor kits on that page
Can Catrikes be modified for riders with limitations?
Our Adaptive Success Stories page is our showcase for accommodating riders of all needs, but we’ve got pedals, assist arms, cane holders, pedal choices, motor kits, left or right-side only controls (shifting, hydraulic brakes, etc). In short, we’re the place to bring your triking dreams to reality!!
Can I Add Accessories to my Catrike?
We’re experts at helping you accessorize your trike. Storage options (for multiday touring, commuting or lunch, but also cameras, dogs, cats -you name it!), hydration packs, supplemental cushions, neck rests, lights, (more) flags & mirrors for safety and puncture-resistant tires for, well, less tire changing!
Can I Test Ride a Catrike?
OF COURSE you can test ride a Catrike. We’ve got an entire dropdown on this website where you can read all the Test Ride FAQ’s (yup. More FAQs!), view each of our demos, watch test ride videos and view our favorite test rides through Ladds Addition, up Mt Tabor, across the Tilikum Crossing and along the bike route through Portland’s historic Riverview Cemetery. If you prefer something quieter with no cars or pedestrians, we’re happy to meet at the Hinson Church parking lot
Do You Have Videos of Catrikes on the Road?
Yes, we do!
Catrike Videos
Dumont
700
Villager
Expedition
No music. No jump cuts. Just an unedited close up of the front suspension on the all suspension Catrike Dumont as we drop through 450 vertical feet of twisty winding pavement at speeds up to 35 mph. The combination of front and rear suspension smooths any pavement riding without sacrificing Catrike’s sporty responsive feel
Catrike Co-owner and GM Mark Egeland give us our first look at the Dumont at InterBike Las Vegas in 2016
First things first. First, we get our first Dumont. Then, we build our first Dumont. Then, we test ride our first Dumont. Did we go easy on this sweet new beauty? Of course not! We subjected her to the worst rutted and potholed roads our Southeast Portland neighborhood can offer.
First impressions of our first Dumont? Smooth as a magic carpet ride
Our Magic Carpet Ride got a nice musical lift from Formula Five
There’s absolutely nothing we can add to this title. A twisty high-speed 450 foot descent featuring tightly-linked s-curves, sweeps and 25 mph hairpins. The Dumont’s direct steering allows turns that no other trike can match (how do we know? We tried. The results were comical and -by the shop owner’s edict- unavailable for viewing).
Trio Shalva provides its own twist to the Dick Dale classic Misirlou
We mounted multiple synchronized cameras to show the Dumont’s suspension action on both smooth and pot-holed pavement at high speeds. The front and rear suspension do all the work -making for a smooth controlled ride!
Speed and stability through both smooth and potholed pavement show why the Catrike 700 is Mel’s favorite! It holds the road like no other trike -offering fantastic control at all speeds and road conditions with a definite “sporty” ride (read: you’ll feel every bump!).
Danny Sanderson and Friends plays us through
Washington Park -just a short climb from downtown- is one of Portland’s most beautiful rides. The ride down is fun at any speed -but it’s a riot on a Catrike 700! Smooth pavement and hairpin curves at 30 MPH make this one of the best ways to show off the 700’s capabilities. The late great New York musician Walt Harper and his Quintet rock Herbie Hancock’s Watermelon Man
Boy! Are we having fun now! We have some new cameras, so we shot some test footage -a 95 second 300 foot elevation drop taking curves at 39 mph! No trike (NO TRIKE) has the high speed stability of a Catrike 700.
Mechanic Paul and Mel enjoy a 460 foot descent on Portland’s finest windy downhill! We start where Skyline Road meets Fairview (45.514934, -122.727020, if you want to put into your map) and meander down to Kingston Road near the Zoo tennis courts (45.51985, -122.70648). Argentina’s Alma Negro provides the soundtrack.
Friend of the shop and TerraCyle, Inc owner Pat Franz shows off the super-comfy upright-seating and nimble ride of the Catrike Villager. There’s a reason Boss Lady Janet calls this The Crowd Pleaser
For the those who ask, we shot this with our gimbal-equipped camera trike. It’s cool, but too much work to duplicate! Oh, and the music was Tremé Brass Band’s version of the Philemon Hou classic Grazing in the Grass
A cruise through Tabor with a Rohloff-equipped Catrike Expedition. Lightweight and comfortably laid back, the Expedition is the perfect touring trike
Do You Also Have Videos of All Those Fantastic Catrike Tours to Hawaii and the San Juans?
YUP!
San Juan Islands
Our 2021 San Juan Islands tour was a blast. Every trip, the highlight is the 2500 foot descent from Mt. Constitution’s summit (for those of us riding without motors, the 2500 foot slog up is definitely NOT a highlight).
Here’s a bit of a math problem: We had about 12 hours of video spread out over 20 cameras. Compute how much of Mel’s last remaining hair fell out editing that down to a 5 minute 30 second video.
The music is Duke Pearson’s classic Jeannine played by the amazing Argentinian Pianist Paula Shocron
If the video looks like a blast, imagine how much fun the actual ride was! The absolute highlight of our year is touring with friends on the San Juan Islands. The tour’s big ride is Orcas. The early birds -Mel, Charlie, Pat Franz (TerraCyle) and Matt Galat (Jayoe) took the idiot boat (6am!) from Friday Harbor. Everyone else (AKA “The Smart Money” -read: motor kit equipped) took the 8:30am ferry. We all traversed the Island and met on the 2500 foot climb to the Mt. Constitution summit.
The music is from the album It’s All Right! with Wynton Kelly’s Trio of Paul Chambers and Jimmy Cobb. Add in legendary Guitar Kenny Burrell and Candido Camero on Congas and you’ve got Mel’s go-to for a roaring 2500 foot descent!
Trike riding on San Juan Island is a fabulous treat. Summer is fabulous -but crowded. September’s late season beauty is absolutely unstoppable (as is the occasional rain shower). RPDX and friends rode from Friday Harbor to Roche Harbor for lunch -total roundtrip is about 30 miles with +/- 1500 vertical feet.
Young-Holt Unlimited’s Soulful Strut was played by Osaka Monaurail
Not all high-speed descents are created equally! For one thing, the normally-spendid summit view of both Canada and the Washington mainland was non-existent. Also, by ride’s end, we were all chilled to the bone.
But, OH! the exhilaration of that drop. Not a car on the route all day!
Hank Mobley’s Funk in a Deep Freeze by France’s Giraudo – Chassagnite 4TET seemed like the perfect musical accompaniment
Also, in 2018, we rode San Juan Island from Friday Harbor through the American Camp to Cattle Point Lighthouse! The weather was indescribably stunning!
Our ride down country roads was accompanied by Harvest Folk and Country
In 2016, just Janet and Mel made the 2500 foot slog up Constitution (smart money stayed in Eastsound enjoying pastries at the Brown Bear!). On the way up, we’re SO slow, we swear we were passed by nonagenarians walking small dogs! But, there’s ice cream and espresso waiting for us at the top, so we persevere!
Our day on Mt Constitution was accompanied by Chet Baker’s Night on Bop Mountain
In 2016, just Janet and Mel made the 2500 foot slog up Constitution (smart money stayed in Eastsound enjoying pastries at the Brown Bear!). On the way up, we’re SO slow, we swear we were passed by nonagenarians walking small dogs! But, there’s ice cream and espresso waiting for us at the top, so we persevere!
Our day on Mt Constitution was accompanied by Chet Baker’s Night on Bop Mountain
WHOA!!! What a fabulous ride down Janet and Mel earned!
Oscar Peterson Trio’s Long Ago and Far Away plays us down. Album notes don’t say, but our best guess is that’s the incomparable Lester Young’s tenor
RPDX and friends take a leisurely ride from Friday Harbor to Westcott Bay Oysters (a scientific poll of eight riders determined them to be the best oysters in existence).
+/- 25 miles with about 2500 vertical feet, there nearly were fistfights over the pedal-assist trikes (if you were wondering why we offered motors to anyone asking on more recent trips).
Music was Portland’s preeminent Jazz man Mel Brown’s B-3 Organ Group with Renato Caranto on sax and King Louie Pain on B-3!
She ain’t called “Slopez” for nothing! Riding Lopez -even at the height 0f summer- you might see 6 cars the WHOLE day! It’s sparsely-populated and just beautiful. What more could a triker ask for?
What could be more fun than Udo Lindenberg‘s cover of Otis Redding’s classic Ich Sitz den Ganzen Tag bei den Docks!!
What Are Catrike's Eight Models?
Is there an "Entry Level" Catrike?
No. All Catrikes are fabricated to the same exacting standards, so there’s no difference in quality -only in features. The most expensive Cat -the Dumont- features all wheel suspension, folding frames and adjustable seat backs. The least expensive Cat -the Pocket- is a fixed non-folding frame. The Dumont and Pocket -like every other Catrike- are built on the same production line by the same benders, cutters, fabricators, welders, powder coaters and assemblers to the same exacting standards
Can I Test Ride and Purchase Same Day?
Generally-speaking, yes! For instore purchase of standard builds -which include adding racks, tire upgrades and installing motor kits- we provide same day purchase for most trikes ordered before 1 pm. So, if you’re traveling a ways to visit RPDX, we can complete most builds same day.
More complex builds -like building gear hubs or installing electronic shifting- often require -at a minimum- overnight.
Online purchases require build, test ride and packaging. We provide delivery estimates individually
How Do I Transport my Trike?
If you’re visiting the shop, bring the vehicle you’ll be taking your Catrike in and we’ll do a “car audition”. As we describe in our “transporting your trike” video, most Catrikes will roll right in to a station wagon, SUV or hatchback.
If your trike won’t fit on the inside, we also stock trike racks. Your vehicle will require a Class 3 hitch receiver capable of supporting the weight of the trike and the rack, so call us with questions.
Can I Purchase Online?
Starting 2026, RPDX offers online trike shipments throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, Hawaii and Northern California. We also offer accessories such as 3×3 wheel builds and specialty pedals for shipment nationwide. While we insist there’s no substitute for test riding -which is why everything we sell is on at least one of our demo trikes- some customers aren’t within reasonable distance of a trike shop. Our website is designed to provide you the best information to help with your decision.
Which Catrikes Offer All Wheel Suspension?
Dumont and All Road
Catrike’s suspension is perfect for taking the rumble out of rough chip-sealed asphalt and bumps out of rails-to-trails paths or gravel roads. Occasionally, customers ask about bombing down deeply-rutted fire roads or going airborne on mountain biking jumps. Our reply? Not so much. But, we’re always happy to talk about your specific needs. Just call or email
What Size Wheels Does Catrike Offer?
- 20 inch wheels all around: Villager, MAX, All Road, Trail and Pocket
- 20 inch front wheels/26 inch drive wheel: 559, Dumont and Expedition
- 20 inch front wheels/700C drive wheel: 700
20’s all around mean you only have to carry one size spare tube or tire. Also, 20 inch drive wheels are geared for easier hill climbing. Larger 26” and the largest 700C wheels have higher top speeds. At RPDX, two-thirds of our sales are 20 inch drive wheels.
If you choose an optional motor kit, drive wheel gearing is no longer an issue.
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Which Catrikes Have an A12 Thru Axle vs Quick Release (and why do I care)?
If you’ve owned a bike in the last 40 years, chances are its wheels lock using the industry-standard quick release -called a “QR”- and the wheels rested in a U-shaped drop outs that locked/unlocked with a hand-operated cam lever. So, removal and reinstallation of a wheel required no tools. That’s sweet!
But, in the early 2000’s, downhill and mountain bike riders riding huge jumps and steep drops were bending and breaking QR wheels. The Thru Axle solved this problem -it’s a nearly half-inch thick bolt (the “A12” stands for 12 millimeters -just shy of a half-inch) that threads into the bike or trike’s frame for an incredibly stiff connection.
What’s that got to do with you? Recumbent trikes endure extreme lateral loads turning at speed, so stiffness is important to a safe stable ride.
Catrike now offers A12 Thru Axles on ALL 26 inch and larger drive wheel trikes (559, Dumont, Expedition and 700). Since smaller 20 inch drive wheels are inherently stiffer than the larger 26’s- Trail, Villager and Pocket will remain QR. But, newer-design 20 inch drive wheel trikes -such as the All Road and MAX- both offer the A12.
Catrikes values your safety. If it leaves the Orlando factory, you can be sure their engineers are absolutely sure your trike is the safest it can be!
Which Catrikes have 30 speed drivetrains vs 10 or 11?
There’s a bit to understand about drivetrains. First, the number of gears matters less than the total gearing range. You want easier (“short”) gearing for hill climbing and harder (“tall”) gearing for high speeds going downhill.
Catrike offers a super-wide gearing range because a trike can take advantage much lower climbing speeds than a two-wheeler (which -unlike a trike- have a nasty habit of toppling over a low speeds!).
For over a decade, the 568% gear range drivetrain offered by Catrike has been trike industry’s widest. But changes among drivetrain component suppliers likely points to all bikes -two wheel and trike- abandoning the multiple front crank rings in favor of larger range 10 and 11 speed cassettes on the rear drive wheel.
So, while Catrikes have traditionally offered a 30 speed drivetrain with three front chain rings and 10 rear cassette cogs, the two newest models -the All Road and MAX offer a “one-by” drivetrain with a single front chain ring and either 10 or 11 more widely-spaced rear cassette cogs.
Oh, but if you have a motor -which helps with both hill climbing and top speed- you care less about gearing.
Seem confusing? Well, fortunately, we have videos on gearing to help clear things up. And, always, you can call the store with questions.
- 3×10 Drivetrain: Villager, Trail, 559, Dumont, Expedition, Pocket and 700
- 1×10 Drivetrain: All Road
- 1×11 Drivetrain: MAX and optional on Bosch and Bafang motor kits
Which Catrikes Have Adjustable Seat Positions vs Fixed?
- Villager, MAX, All Road, Trail, Dumont and 559 all have multiple point seat back adjustment as well as folding forward full flat for transport.
- Expedition, Pocket and 700 have a fixed frame -also called “Spaceframe” in honor of Catrike’s manufacturing facility on Florida’s “Space Coast”!!
Which is better? The one that fits you perfectly. That could be an adjustable seat frame or a space frame. If you’re test riding, you’ll know for sure. If you’re buying online, it may be a safe bet to stick with adjustable.
What’s the Most Upright Catrike? The Most Laid Back?
Villager, All Road and MAX are the most upright seat position (though all have four adjustable positions). 700 and Expedition (Mel’s ride!) are the most laid back. Everything else is in between.
The Expedition and 700 -being laid back- pretty much require a neck rest. Generally, we find all the other models are just fine without. For comparison, a dining room chair (Villager, All Road, MAX, 559, Trail, Dumont and Pocket) doesn’t need head support. A fully-reclined Lazy Boy chair (Expedition and 700) does.
Do Catrikes Have Weight Capacities?
Villager, All Road, Trail, 559, Dumont and Expedition and 700 have a 275 lbs rider limit with provision for up to 50 extra pounds for bags, motor kit or rider weight (total capacity: 325 lbs).
Pocket has a 225 lbs rider limit with provision for up to 50 extra pounds for bags, motor kit or rider weight (total capacity: 275 lbs).
MAX has a 375 lbs rider limit with provision for up to 50 extra pounds for bags, motor kit or rider weight (total capacity: 425lbs).