Recumbent - new trikey for me!

Mrs. Pup cleared the way for my new trike purchase, and we got it last week. No pictures of mine yet since the weather has been a snowy mess for much of the last week. Click the picture to see the mfg's web site:



It's a Catrike Trail, purchased at the Hostel Shoppe in Stevens Point, WI. I had a wonderful experience there, and the recumbent expert would put me on a trike for a test ride, and have the next model all set to my length by the time I got back to the door. I think I rode 6-7 different vehicles! I almost came away with the Road model, but couldn't justify the extra expense. The Road has a slightly longer, more laid back frame, and a step up in components.

With the messy weather lately, I've had time to set it up to my liking: clipless pedals are installed, got a rear rack, rack-top bag with mini-panniers that fold out from it, tail light, and speed/cadence computer. I still need fenders, and a front fairing is already on my wish list. I can't believe how light this thing is - all last season I was riding a Sun EZ1 at over 40 lbs, and this little trikey starts at just over 30.

Schweet!

Great choice!

First photo shoot:



Rear rack, pack with fold-out panniers:

Pupsocket: Love the color... ...that looks like a kind of direct steering, ?how does that feel? I am contemplating a homebuilt so was wondering if that was a good option,,, since it would be easier to make...i think.
peace

Hi Floyd,

I haven't had much time on my new toy, just a few miles so far. I've had even less on indirect steer test rides. On direct steer, you move both wrists laterally to steer. Indirect steer means you usually move the wrists fore and aft. Indirect generally requires more arm movement for the same steering radius. It may be more comfortable over longer distances, since road shock is more isolated than a direct setup. Indirect has more parts and adds a bit of weight, but might be necessary if wheel layout makes direct steering difficult to implement.

What I've experienced is that just like any unfamiliar control system, there is a learning period when you discover how much input is enough without being too much. The first few turns in the parking lot were very twitchy, but I quickly learned that it took very little effort and movement to turn as much as required.

It's not that apparent from the picture, but the vertical hand grips adjust fore and aft, closer or farther away from the turning axis. Farther away yields a much lighter, quicker touch, while close in increases the effort to steer the same angle. I have them placed almost halfway to the turning axis, which gives a nice balance between responsiveness and steering effort. As I add miles, I'll probably end up fine-tuning the hand grip positions. I've read of someone on a short trike with the steering arms pointed forwards, which is another change possible.

Thanks for the info...I kinda figured, as you said, one has to get used to a new system no matter if it is good of bad... or indifferent. It will probably be awhile before I think about building but it is nice to have thoughts and ideas beforehand.