Because my hip and back have degenerative issues, in the not so far future I’m going to have to switch from a Trek Verve to a recumbent trike. I’ve been looking long and hard at the Catrike Villager. Does anyone have any experience with one of these? I’ve read everything I can find and watched many videos of them. Cost is really my only obstacle at this point. They go for $3250. And my husband… I’ve looked at other brands as well, but they don’t seem to be as well made.

Catrike (made right in Florida) has an excellent reputation for building trikes with decent components and reasonable weights. You can see all of the models here https://www.catrike.com. I've owned my Catrike 700 for 13 years and can attest that it is made to last. The Villager is a higher seating trike that makes it easier to get in and out of. That may be important to you so pay attention to the seat height listed at Catrike if you consider other models. I had to look up Melbourne to see what nearby city has a Facebook page where you might look for used trikes to ease the cost. There are a couple of Catrikes available on the Orlando Facebook page that you might consider. There is a Catrike 559 which is seated a bit lower than the Villager. It sells for over $4K new. .Just search on the word Catrike.

VegasTriker makes a good point. I deal with osteoarthritis every day in my late 70s and when I am need my recumbents they are a savior. I have found being the "bike guy" in our retirement community that the major manufacturers Catrike, TerraTrike, HP Velotech are all excellent machines. You might have to travel a ways but don't think you can go wrong with a vendor in your area that will let you check them out carefully and figure out what is most important aspects for you as they are all slightly different which with arthritis can be important.

If you have not done so, try to check out HP Velotechnik. they have specific USA model configurations which are much less expensive than the ones from Germany but are still exceptional machines. The Gekko has slightly higher seat height than the Villager so easier entry. https://howirollsports.com/collectio...ke-usa-version

I wasn’t able to find any information on VegasTriker. Wanted me to go to Vegas and gamble…nope. I did look into HP Velotechnik, great trike, but I always come back to a Villager. I like that’s its more visible, the seat is higher and I can get it in my favorite color….purple. Don’t need to add anything to it either…maybe a second mirror later on. Spoke with my husband and next month I will be getting one, if the physical therapist approves. In the mean time, I’ll continue to ride my Verve, I have to stay active. Going to enjoy the ride…