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View More: → Trikes → Catrike → Catrike Villager Recumbent Trike ![]() Introducing the New Generation of Villager by Big Cat04/06/2011 Catrikes are known throughout the industry to be some of the best mid-to-high-level trikes available. At the Big Cat factory we saw the engineering behind them and learned why the Catrike models are always consistently built to such a high quality. We had the opportunity to be in Florida for the Big Cat Rally and got to spend some personal time with the engineers, machinists, and welders who turn aluminum tubing into the trikes we love to ride. While most manufacturers are secretive of their production methods, Paulo, the owner and genius behind the company, is surprisingly open about how their trikes are made, and even gave us demos of each step. ![]() Introducing the New Generation of VillagerWhile the Rally was certainly great, our primary reason for being in Florida was to witness the birth of the newest Cats. If youve read our earlier article about the Catrikes its easy to look at their frames and think that the flowing tubing design of the frame would be easy to create. The truth is Big Cat spent months designing the new G2 versions of the Villager and Trail together with a lot of virtual testing before the first prototype was made. One of the main challenges was that they wanted to add the feature of a folding adjustable seat and still make it look like a Catrike. Let's just say they succeeded, and they did it with style. When it comes to quality and finish, the new Villager is no different than any other Catrike that weve seen. Each weld is placed with perfection and care, ensuring each bead is the same shape and size as the last. The frames are washed with three different types of cleaners to ensure there are no imperfections or bumps in the paint, giving these trikes a very clean finish. The 2nd Generation Villager frame is a masterpiece of engineering. While you could ride one for hours as a commuter or on the bike trails, you could just as well mount it to your wall as a piece of modern art (although you'd be missing the best part). This new Villager has something for everyone -- adjustability, performance, comfort, and most importantly high quality at an affordable price. After much riding and rigorous testing, this trike performs solidly without missing a beat ![]() The G2 FrameThe new frame design is known in-house as the Generation 2 Space Frame. While the standard feature of the Catrike frame has been the integrated seat, the G2 frame diverges from this. The new frames sport a triangulated rear end to give the frame the stiffness and rigidity required to bear the name "Catrike", without the seat factoring into it. Lynn told us that having the solid rear end was her primary concern during the design phase and that she lost a lot of sleep over it. Rest well, Lynn, rest well. You hit the bulls-eye. Adjustable Seat![]() The seat will move five degrees farther forward than the previous fixed frame, and will move fifteen degrees farther back. This gives you the freedom to set the seat forward giving you a great field of view, and afterwords you can lay the seat back for a more sporty feel. The seat also retains those handy little pockets on the back and underneath for storing random bits and pieces. Having the adjustable seat did cause the weight of the trike to go up by a pound. For most people, we think the flexibility of the trike more than makes up for the extra weight. Combined with the adjustable boom and handlebars, the new Trail and Villager will accommodate just about any rider. ComponentsThe components on the Villager havent changed. The stock configurations still uses bulletproof SRAM shifters and derailleurs, Avid brakes, and Cane Creek sealed bearings combined with their own Teflon bearings in the head sets. The Trail and Villager now share common pricing. Ride QualityThe Villager G2 is easily one of the most comfortable trikes I have ridden. For someone who is used to riding the laid-back angle of the famous Catrike 700, the Villager has never really appealed to me, however, after kicking the seat back and cruising with it around Florida when it was released, and now here at the shop, Im really blown away with the angle options. Being able to lay the seat back, as far as it does, and then push it all the way up, makes it easy for anyone to like the new Villager. Adjusting the seat angle will affect your center of gravity as well as the comfort at which you pedal. In the middle seat position the new G2 trikes dont handle much different than their predecessors. If anything, I think the new frame is more rigid ad youll feel more grip in the corners. Overall the feel is more responsive. Start playing with the seat angles and it becomes a game changer. With the seat laid back, this around-town cruiser turns into a sport-hungry Catrike, without sacrificing its refinements in stability, or handling. With the seat in its most forward position it gives you the chance to relax, and enjoy the veiw. The width of the trike keeps everything stable and predictable at any speed or seat angle, giving confidence under any riding conditions. ![]() Summing It UpThe new Villager gives you everything that anyone ever wanted out of the the previous version. It still maintains the same seat height and width which makes it easy for anyone to get in and out of. With the ability to adjust the seat angle it is the perfect trike for those that are new into trikes and want something that sits upright. Overall the new 2011 Catrike Villager delivers everything you would expect from the Villager and then some. The adjustability means that this trike will fit just about anyone, beginners and veteran riders alike. The frame feels great, the seat angles are more than acceptable, and the ride is one that wont easily be forgotten. As for Big Cat: This company is just inspiring. The teamwork is fantastic. And their trikes are terrific. |
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