Windcheetah v Catrike

[SeasonedWarrior]

Anyone here use a WindCheetah? I keep looking at them but have yet to make up my mind, their price may have something to do with it. I've looked at the Catrike and there are a lot of similarities. Any insights? Thanks

[mchell]

My limited research led me to understand that the Windcheetah and the Catrike are only similar in that they have three wheels and are made of aluminum. There is no dealer support network for Windcheetah in North America, which could be an issue for after market service. They are an incredible trike, but the price, the almost impossible chance of ever riding one before purchase and questionable after market service led me to buy a Catrike. I have no regrets other than wishing I had more time to ride!

Mike,
Catrike "Road" 04 #589

[BlazingPedals]

I agree with mchell; the only similarities between a Windcheetah and a Catrike is that they're both aluminum tadpole trikes. There's ONE Windcheetah in my club. Of all the trikes in the club, it is the only one that can keep up with the fast upright group for any appreciable distance. And some of the Catrikes have pretty powerful motors compared to the Windcheetah, which uses a 65 year old math professor.

[Shaman]

I thought the cheetahs were made with carbon fiber? no? Anyway, there are a lot of trikes. Personally I would lean toward the ICE Q for it's novel design and the suspension. Otherwise I love my Actionbent tadpole trike and it is plenty fast. When I heard of a windcheetah breaking in half at speed, it kinda stopped all the drooling. The only true unique feature of the cheetah is that it has the over seat steering. It also uses a mono bearing trailing arm, but I don't see how that makes it any better than more traditional chainstays.

[BlazingPedals]

I thought the cheetahs were made with carbon fiber? no? Anyway, there are a lot of trikes. Personally I would lean toward the ICE Q for it's novel design and the suspension. Otherwise I love my Actionbent tadpole trike and it is plenty fast. When I heard of a windcheetah breaking in half at speed, it kinda stopped all the drooling. The only true unique feature of the cheetah is that it has the over seat steering. It also uses a mono bearing trailing arm, but I don't see how that makes it any better than more traditional chainstays.

The Windcheetah uses aluminum tubes that are bonded into the lugs, of which there are 5 (I think) : front wheel knuckles, main cross, dropout, and bottom bracket. You can replace tubes yourself by heating up the joints to unglue them. The steering is via a joystick, which utilizes a universal joint. You lay the stick in your lap as you ride, and when you get off the trike, the joystick lays in the seat. As a result of the way the frame is made, the rear wheel is not centered in the track - that is, it is closer to the left wheel track than to the right wheel track.

If speed isn't an issue, the Catrikes are a lot cheaper.

[jeff-o]

I've heard that the Catrike 700 is nearly as fast as the Windcheetah. I'd suggest visiting the BROL forums at www.bentrideronline.com and ask your question there.