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Catrike Villager Review
Anyone who says that every Tadpole Recumbent Trike is pretty much the same hasn’t ridden every trike. Each brand has its own feel. And each model, or model class within the brands, usually has its own feel.
The Villager has a seat height of 12.5”, which is higher than other standard recumbent tadpole trikes. At first, I thought this might make the trike unstable at high speeds.
The standard color of the Villager is white, but can be painted any of the available Catrike optional colors for $99-$149 depending on which custom color you choose.
The Villager supports a rider weight of up to 275lbs. It has a comfortable mesh seat that has a reclined angle of 50 degrees and a width of 14". It will accept an X-Seam range of 39" to 46", or with an optional extra long boom up to 53". The angles of the villager frame place your feet almost directly in front of you, rather than slightly elevated like the other Catrike models. I also felt that the seat angle and higher riding height really seems to minimize the road vibrations I felt as a rider, making the experience a very comfortable one. The Villager has 20” all around, which makes only having to carry one size spare tube an advantage.
The steering of the Villager is excellent as is the turning radius.
If you’re looking for a Recumbent Trike that’s easy to get in and out of and want to keep the superior stability of a tadpole trike, the Catrike Villager from Big Cat HPV is a very good choice.
Share your comments below: Great job Brent, remember videos are great way to show it off. Posted by Andy 10/31/2008 03:03:39 AM I just brought the cattrike villager 27 speed , I am having a blast, everyone whom seem me wave and smile, and I like the way the cattrike 27 speed handle, one thing I learn is your right pants legs may rub agaiinst the sprocke a little so I roll up my pants and never thoght about it twice. In high speed that a bit of a wobble but nothing you would worry about much, by me being a newbe to the trike it could be just me, beside that I luv the cattrike and I only had it a day. I must go back and by a rear view mirror, on this type of bike it handy to have. Don't waste your money on a 8 speed, just spend the extra now and get the 27 speed. Posted by Fern 08/16/2009 12:59:20 PM ahhh....Chuck All-Stars !!! My shoe of choice when riding my Cat too !!! Posted by momule 09/27/2009 02:13:11 PM |
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But since the center of gravity is still relatively low, it handles quite well. The Villager is the only Catrike I would feel comfortable going off a square sidewalk curb or even some sets of stairs, without fear of damaging the idlers or chain. As is the case with most 20"-wheeled trikes, the rear derailleur is close to the ground, but the rear wheel helps to guard it from damage when going straight off curbs and such. For optimal ground clearance, an internally-geared hub transmission will raise the chain line and eliminate any possibility of damaging a rear derailleur.
This Catrike comes with Avid BB5 Mechanical Disc Brakes, a SRAM long cage SX5 rear derailleur, a KMC X9 Chain, a SRAM PG 950 11-32 cassette and Schwalbe Marathon tires. While all these components are of good quality, having only 9 speeds may not be enough for some riders. For the easiest way to increase your gear range, I would recommend upgrading the single tooth sprocket in the front with a Schlumpf High Speed Drive. This will give you a greater gear range than having a 3 speed front derailleur setup. If you really do want a front derailleur, you can buy an upgraded boom that accepts a front derailleur.
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