Catrike 700 - First Ride

Hey GMAN, another thing you might consider for your knees is getting shorter cranks. The Vision R40 came with 175mm cranks and I REALLY felt it in my knees. I got a set of Sugino 152mm cranks and the sharp knee pain went away.

I'm also looking for a Tadpole trike, but cost and lack of dealers to test ride them keeps my wallet closed. I'm torn between the Catrike Expedition and the KMX Cobra. Have you ever taken your trike on packed dirt? If you have, was it an unbearable ride? I stay off pavement whenever I can and ride dirt and gravel most of the time. The trouble with the small wheeled Vision is that it's too squirrley on gravel.

Anyway, hope you found the tire that works for you. Oh, I run Schwalbe Marathon Plus and I really like them. YMMV.

 

Most if not all tires have a recommended pressure on the side wall. Some have a range like "Inflate to 50-75 PSI" and others just something like "Inflate to 100 PSI" as well as their metric equivalent.

Just play with the pressures (within the range on the sidewall) until you find the pressure that gives you comfort you want.

In most cases the higher the pressure the less rolling resistance. The firmer the tire the less it absorbs bumps. I personally fill mine to the max.

All my flats (3) in the past 9 years have been caused by wires from dead truck tires along the road. They even penetrated the Kevlar belts in the tires. Of course they ALL had to be the rear tire.

These were all on DF bikes. No flats YET on the trike.

Gary

 

After getting flats in each of my front wheel Schwalbe Kojaks, I substituted Marathon Pluses. I don't feel any difference in speed; they are more shock absorbent, and I don't have to worry about flats. My rear tire is a Schwalbe Marathon Supreme and it has been fine. (Yes, I'm riding a Catrike 700.) Oh, and for my knees, I had custom cut cranks of 150 mm and use Frog Speedplay pedals for infinite float.

 

Currently I'm running the Marathon + on 3 DF bikes, 2 hybrid and one tandem. Will put them on my touring DF if I decide to keep it next spring.

Gary