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Staff Review:
"The Catrike Expedition is one of my favorite all-around trikes. Its seat height and angle make it the perfect model for everyday commuting and touring. The 26-inch rear wheel gives it great gearing and a smooth ride. The steering geometry and longer wheelbase provide for very predictable handling at high speed as well as in the parking lot." - Ashley
Read Full Review

View some recent trike builds:


Candy Blue Expedition



Red Expedition


Catrike Expedition with Schlumpf HSD and Nuvinci N360


Electric Blue Catrike Expedition


Custom Gas Powered Expeditions

View more trike builds

Popular Upgrades
For This Trike
Catrike Arkel Bags
$139
Planet Bike Protege 5.0 Computer with Recumbent Cable Kit
$29.95
Park FR-5 Cassette Lockring Remover
$5.95
FastBack Tool Pouch
$25
Reelight SL100 Flashing Light
$55.95
Trice Breathable Foam Insert
$15
SunLite Reflective Vest
$14.95
Schwalbe 22-406 Rim Liner
$3.25
Shimano Alfine Tensioner
$29.95
Topeak RaceRocket Mini Pump
$29.95


Product Category: Catalog -> All Trikes     View/Compare all Catrike by Big Cat HPV Trikes

2012 Catrike Expedition
Starting at: $2550

Click here to
CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIKE
Current Availability:
  Available Color: Silver (2011 spec - $200 off - call for details) (1 in stock) - Can ship today
  Available Color: Silver (Several in stock) - Can ship today
  Available Color: Red (2 in stock) - Can ship today

NEW - Check out some of our recent custom builds of the 2012 Catrike Expedition

Owners Manual

A Sport-Luxury Catrike with a wide track and long wheel base. It is capable of handling heavy loads for long distance touring and it is still a fast machine with a very wide gear range.


Detailed Specifications:

Frame MaterialHeat Treated Aircraft Grade Aluminum
Trike Weight35 lbs.
Front Wheel20" (406) / Catrike Black Aluminum
Rear Wheel26" / Catrike Black Aluminum
Stock TiresSchwalbe Marathon Racer Tires
Tube ValvePresta
Wheelbase43 in.
Wheel Track29 in.
Total Width33 in.
Seat Height10 in.
Total Assembled Heig81 in.
Total Length72 in.
Turning Circle18 ft.
Turning Radius108 in.
Gear Inch Range24-117"
Ground Clearance4.25
Seat Angle37 degrees
Seat TypePlush/Pocketed Mesh
Seat Width14 in.
Total Weight Capacit275 lbs.
Bottom Bracket Heigh16 in.
X-Seam Range39-46" (Option Extra Long Boom Up to 53")
Number of Gear Combi27
ShiftersShimano Dura Ace Bar End Shifters
Rear DerailleurShimano LX Rear Derraileur
Front DerailleurMicroShift 9
Front BrakesAvid BB7 Mechanical Disc Brakes
Rear BrakeNone
Break LeversAvid FR5 Flat Pull Brake Lever
Front GearingTruvativ Elita EXO 165mm Triple Crankset
Rear GearingSRAM PG 950 11-32 cassette
Chain TypeKMC X9 Chain
Standard Color(s)Silver Cat or Bengal Red
Optional ColorsBasic $99 (White, Yellow, Blue, Black) Neon $129 (Lime Green, Pin
Boom TypeAdjustable/Indexed
Steering TypeDirect
Steering Pivot TypeCane Creek Headsets
Ackerman SteeringCane Creek Headsets
Ackerman SteeringAckerman Compensation
Brake SteerNone
Self CenteringYes
Center PointYes
PedalsClipless Pedals w/Platform
Mirror1 Included
FlagIncluded
FendersOptional
RackOptional
Computer Sensor MounIncluded
IdlerTerraCycle Aluminum Power Idler
Chain TubesPTFE
HeadrestIncluded
SuspensionNone
WarrantyLimited Lifetime
Country of OriginUSA



Catrike Expedition Review

By Ashley Guy

The name Expedition implies adventure and long distance travels. I would say that Catrike named this trike appropriately. The Expedition's seat height and recline angle make this a very comfortable trike to spend hours at a time riding. The long wheelbase and adjustable steering make handling a dream.



The Expedition, like all Catrike models, features a solid frame with an integrated seat. This design is extremely light and rigid making it very fast. While most of the Catrike models come with 20-inch wheels all around, the Expedition's trademark is its larger 26-inch rear wheel. The larger wheel in the back raises the Expedition's gearing and also makes this the largest Catrike.

The first thing you'll notice when riding the expedition is the reclined seat angle. While casual riders may not want to lay this far back, anyone who rides for hours at a time will appreciate the full back support the recline gives you. The new Catrike seat features padding around the frame and cargo pockets in the back. The Expedition also includes an adjustable headrest.

Steering
Catrike has mastered direct steering for trikes. The steering geometry is tight and responsive like a high-end sports car. At slow speeds the handlebars are easy to turn making the trike very nice to maneuver. As you go faster the steering tightens up and you feel more of the Expedition's straight-line tendency. This makes fast downhill runs an absolute blast with the perfect cornering behavior. In response to customer requests, Catrike has virtually eliminated brake steer on the Expedition. This means that you can squeeze just one brake lever and the trike will still stop straight. This is especially good for riding in traffic when you are using one hand for signaling. At high speed (30+ MPH) you will notice just the right amount of brake steer which is perfect for hard cornering.

I should also mention the adjustable handlebars. The handlebars have 3 adjustments so it is easy to get the perfect fit. If you are a big guy like me you can adjust the bars to a maximum width of about 23 inches. The bars will swing in as close as you want them, but a wider position will give you the tightest turning radius. The handlebars can also be moved forward or backward to adjust for arm length. Moving the grip towards the kingpin will also affect how easy the wheels are to turn, so there is some balance there. Lastly, you can adjust the handlebar's tilt toward you for the perfect wrist positioning. Getting the handlebars set correctly will take some time but is well worth the effort as it will eliminate arm fatigue and improve your control of the trike.

Brakes
The Expedition comes stock with the Avid BB7 disc brakes. The BB7s are probably my favorite mechanical brake. They are easy to adjust without tools and have a great pull. Catrike pairs them with the FR5 levers, which work fine, but they really should be matched with the Avid Speed Dial levers. All the Catrikes feature front quick release axles which allow the front wheels to slide through the brake calipers for breaking the trike down into a smaller package. If you plan on doing this often take care when replacing the wheel to not damage the brake pads.

Drivetrain
The Catrike Expedition comes with a great drivetrain package. Its standard gearing is a 27-speed derailleur combo featuring Shimano Ultegra bar end shifters. They've matched the shifters to a Shimano LX derailleur in the rear and a Microshift derailleur in the front. The stock gearing includes a Truvativ Elita EXO 165mm Triple Crankset (52/39/30) and a SRAM PG950 11-32 cassette in the back. This combination gives the Expedition a gear range of 23-118 Gear Inches with aproximately 15 distinct gear ratios. This gearing should be adequate to climb most hills with ease and reach speeds of of over 30 MPH at 90 RPM.

As with all the trikes we sell, we offer many different gearing options to suit your individual needs. My favorite is the Schlumpf High Speed Drive which will expand your gear range to 21-153 Gear Inches. For those of you that prefer grip shifts we can switch you to the SRAM X9 component group.

Tires
Very little will affect riding performance like the proper tire selection. The Expedition comes stock with Schwalbe Marathon Racer tres. These are a good all around tire and provide for a fairly smooth ride. They have a fair amount of puncture resistance but cannot withstand a direct attack from a nice Goathead (which we have many in these parts).
Their speed rating is in the middle. While certainly not a slow tire they won't win you any races against the roadies.

I had the opportunity to test the expedition this year with several Schwalbe tires including the Marathon Plus, Marathon Supreme, Big Apples, Kojaks, and Duranos. Depending on what type of riding you intend to do you may want to consider swapping tires.

Is it for you?
When comparing the Expedition to the other Catrike models you will want to consider the seat angle and larger wheel. Depending on the type of riding you intend to do there may be another model that suits you better. If you will be commuting regularly or are planning some touring the Expedition should be near the top of your list. I've been very happy with the Expedition.




Share your comments below:

I love this thing. Can you tell me, do the Expeditions you have in stock come with catrikes' new mesh seat with the extra pockets? Also,is the $69 rear rack you list for the Expedition, the same as the $69 wizwheels rack in your catalog? Thanks
Posted by Anonymous
03/11/2009 03:17:14 AM


Yes, all our Catrikes come with the new seats now.
We have found the WizWheel rack to be the most accommodating on the Catrikes as well. We use a modified mount for the stays and it works perfectly.
Posted by Ashley

Is the Expedition that much slower than the 700?
Posted by Anonymous
03/14/2009 01:30:28 PM

I guess the real question is: What makes the 700 faster than the Expedition?
Most of the 700s advantage is, in my opinion, due to its tires. The 700's stock tires are much lighter and have less rolling resistance. If you put the same tires on the Espeditions the performance differences are very subtle.
The 700 has a slightly higher gear range because its tire is slightly larger. Both trikes have a good aerodynamic profile, with the 700 having the advantage due to it's lower seat and more reclined position.
The way I see it is:
Choose the 700 for racing.
Choose the Expedition for commuting or touring.
Posted by Ashley

This trike is amazing. My first rides were a pain-free epiphany. Ashley and his crew are top notch with support that goes beyond the purchase day. I have confidence that they will help me maintain my trike for as many years as I intend to ride it. I had mine set up with Big Apples and the ride is both fast and cushy. I rode a few short sections of trails and was pleasantly surprised how well it performed. I've already hit 40 going downhill with no drama whatsoever and the BB7s stop you on a dime with no brake-steer. I could not be happier with this purchase or with the fantastic service I've gotten from Utah Trikes. If you are on the fence, jump off and start riding, you won't regret it.
Posted by TandocTools
07/25/2009 12:03:55 PM

Is it possible to mount a 700 wheel on an Expedition and would there be any advantage in doing it?
Posted by Anonymous
12/11/2009 11:00:26 AM

Yes, a 700 wheel will fit the expedition. The only reason to do it is if you want to run a specific tire that is 700 only. Otherwise, the gearing difference is not substancial. It is fun to throw one on for the races though.
Posted by Ashley

Could a person order a specific colored expedition (custom) with everything except the wheels? Can the catrike QR axles be used with the aeroheat wheels that you sell?Can you order a velocity aeroheat wheel in 26" for the expedition to be used with an alfine hub?
Posted by troy
01/03/2010 10:11:41 AM

Yes, we can sell you a rolling chasis.
We can lace custom wheels for you with the AeroHeat rims. That is what I have on my Cat.
Posted by Ashley

How is fit for a short 5' person? I have short legs. Also, the seat is stationary? Can it be adjusted?
Posted by Linda
02/28/2010 10:04:17 AM

For a shorter rider such as yourself the Expedition will be a little too big. You would be better off with the Catrike Pocket or Speed.
If you want the big wheel in the back we do have 26-inch conversions for the smaller Catrikes.
Posted by Ashley

for mounting the rack.....do you ad braze-ons or are they the clamp on fit?
Posted by jonesy
03/15/2010 10:13:36 AM

They are a clamp on attachment.
Posted by Ashley

My savings, fer a new lap-top, are gravely in danger of being spent on my first trike...my old Sager may have to hold up for a few more years...DAMMIT. (Where's that calculator...)
Posted by Donal
03/16/2010 10:54:00 AM

ALSO : Who makes a decent rifle-rack, for this cat ?
Posted by Donal
03/17/2010 01:48:00 PM

You'll probably have to make your own.
Posted by Ashley

any sugestions for flying with an expetidion and how far could you break it down?
Posted by David
04/01/2010 12:26:23 AM

All the wheels have quick releases as does the boom. You can break it down to the size of the frame. Have a single chainring (like the schlumpf) makes it easier because you won't have to worry about disconnecting the chain or shifter cable when removing the boom.
Posted by Ashley

i am 5'5' in height. is expedition good enough for me.
Posted by pema
04/12/2010 08:44:25 AM

With the boom slid in all the way you will fit the Expedition. I recommend switching to shorter cranks.
Posted by Ashley

Hi, I'm torn between the 700 and the expedition. I'm 6'5" and 225lbs 40yrs old. I've never had a trike before. After decades of riding road bikes, I think it will solve my only 2 problems. I am big so I fight the wind constantly. And after a crash decending a hill I've developed a phobia where I won't let myself go over 15mph down one anymore. I'm hoping the low stable position would emliminate both these issues. But what trike? I bike with groups that have no recumbents but we don't go fast (avg 15-18mph). Will I be that much slower? I would mainly use this on lightly used roads with rolling hills 25-85 miles at a time.
Posted by Gorilla Dave
04/26/2010 09:23:37 AM

For your size you will be more comfortable in an expedition. While both trikes are fast we have found most of there speed difference comes down to the tires. Putting some fast tires like the Schwalbe Duranos on the Expedition will make it very fast. With a little training you should be able to keep a 18MPH average on the Expedition.
Posted by Ashley

What is the possibility of putting 16's on the front instead of the 20's? Have you tried this and if so what were the results? I'm interested in lowering my center of gravity but don't want the bottom to drag on small bumps. Thanks
Posted by momule
04/30/2010 02:20:15 AM

Sure, it will work but I don't recommend it. It will change your steering geometry negetively.
Posted by Ashley

Um.. what's a Goathead? And if you were to have two sets of tires (go fast and touring) what would you recommend?
Posted by Dave
05/03/2010 08:47:22 AM

Goathead thistles are organic thumbtacks that litter the country roads and bike paths of many areas.
I like the Marathon Plus tires for commuting and the Duranos for racing.
Posted by Ashley

Putting a Schlumpf HSD on an Expedition will give a speed of 53 MPH pedaling a cacence of 120/min.

You are to be braver than I am.


Posted by Benterati
05/07/2010 09:20:24 AM

Well, most people won't be turning 120RPM.
Posted by Ashley

For very hilly albeit nicely paved terrain, does the 26" rear wheel offer any advantage over the 20's? What is the real advantage of the larger rear wheel?
Posted by Jim
05/09/2010 05:09:15 PM

The larger wheel gives the Expedition higher gearing and lower rolling resistance. The larger tire has more air volume which gives a smoother ride. Generally the Expedition will be faster than a 20-inch rear trike. If you still need lower gears to climb up the hills that can be modified by swapping sprockets.
Posted by Ashley

I haven't been able to find the Expedition "R"listed on the site do you have it in stock?
Posted by j2edge
09/21/2010 05:59:29 AM

The R configuration is something we build to suit. Typically there is a 1 week turnaround.
Posted by Ashley

I love my Expedition. I ride the heck out of that thing. Some early morning and early evening rides have just been spectacular. It is so comfortable, I feel like I can just ride on forever.

I was told that there is a gearing available that will really make it run even faster. What kind is that and how can I order it ?
Posted by Gayle 1957
09/22/2010 01:13:07 PM

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