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rbent Forum
https://rbentonline.org/YaBB.pl General Category >> Technical >> Catrike Extension Kit https://rbentonline.org/YaBB.pl?num=1304638696 Message started by jayg on May 5th, 2011, 6:38pm |
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Title: Catrike Extension Kit Post by jayg on May 5th, 2011, 6:38pm A number of Catrikers on the Forum are probably familiar with the Utah Trikes Catrike extension kit that permits 20” (406 and 451) rear wheels to be replaced with 26” (559), 650c, or 700c wheels. Don’t know how many have ordered and installed the kit, so I thought I would post my experiences with it. I ordered a kit for my 2007 “Speed” to turn it into a quasi “700” (Installed a 26” wheel, instead of a 700c). Cost a total of $184, which included $9 for shipping. Thankfully, I didn’t need a chain rerouting kit, which ranges in cost from $100 to $145. I already had a spare 26” wheel, tire, and shifting cable, so the conversion cost was minimal. Installation of the kit took about an hour. Installing a shifting cable, adjusting the chain length, making other adjustments, test riding, and changing out the cassette, after the test ride, took several more hours. The CNC machined aluminum extensions fit like a glove over the original dropouts. I didn’t experience any installation problems. The extensions for 2007, and earlier, trikes require additional machining that must be requested when the order is placed. Otherwise, they won’t fit. Rode the trike a couple of miles, yesterday, and 38 miles, today. Not enough miles to fully evaluate the effects of the kit on the trike, but here are a few observations: (1) Spun out at 28 mph (108 cadence) in the middle chain ring, yesterday. Before, I would spin out at 28 mph in the big ring (With stock 451 rear wheel); (2) The ride seems smoother with the 3-1/2” increase in wheelbase and 26” wheel/tire combination; (3) As would be expected, acceleration is decreased with the increased wheel diameter and heavier wheel/tire combination; (4) Does the trike roll faster with the bigger wheel? Don’t know. Need more riding time; (5) Handling of the altered trike seems fine. The turning radius is of course slightly longer; (6) The seat angle was not affected. Photos follow: http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af339/jayg_2010/DSC00074.jpg Trike with stock 451 rear wheel http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af339/jayg_2010/DSC00068.jpg Extension kit http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af339/jayg_2010/DSC00075.jpg Trike ready to receive extension kit http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af339/jayg_2010/DSC00078.jpg Extensions and derailleur installed http://i1021.photobucket.com/albums/af339/jayg_2010/DSC00083.jpg Trike with 26" Aerospoke wheel |
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Title: Re: Catrike Extension Kit Post by rmillay on May 5th, 2011, 7:01pm Jay, I like the adjustable jackstand. A professional touch. Bob M. |
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Title: Re: Catrike Extension Kit Post by jayg on May 5th, 2011, 7:36pm rmillay wrote:
A real pro has more than one jackstand. I have a bunch of them behind the garage (Approx. 30 bricks). :) |
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Title: Re: Catrike Extension Kit Post by power_bent on May 5th, 2011, 7:53pm Jay, by changing the gears you can make a big wheel act like the smaller one.. |
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Title: Re: Catrike Extension Kit Post by Ric_Clark on May 5th, 2011, 8:17pm very nice looking ride there Jay... [smiley=thumbsup.gif] |
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Title: Re: Catrike Extension Kit Post by jayg on May 5th, 2011, 9:24pm Ric_Clark wrote:
Thanks, Ric. |
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Title: Re: Catrike Extension Kit Post by Patti on May 6th, 2011, 2:03pm Jay that looks really good. You might temp me into trying that with my Road some day. |
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Title: Re: Catrike Extension Kit Post by jayg on May 6th, 2011, 3:15pm Patti wrote:
Thanks, Patti. I'm going to try my X-Stream's 650c rear wheel and my Carbent's 700c wheel. The 650c will probably fit, but installation of a 700c looks problematic (Headrest's horizontal mounting screw looks like it would be in the way). |
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Title: Re: Catrike Extension Kit Post by rmillay on May 6th, 2011, 4:42pm Jay, if it's like mine, the seat frame clamps can be rotated to get it out of the way. I had to do that for clearance for the bigger tire. You have to readjust the headrest then, of course--a pain in the neck. :) |
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Title: Re: Catrike Extension Kit Post by jayg on May 6th, 2011, 6:18pm rmillay wrote:
You're right, Bob, the clamps on mine can be rotated for more clearance. Just took some measurements. A 650c wheel with a 23 mm tire will work (It's about the same diameter as a 26" wheel with a 1-1/8" tire). A 700c wheel and tire, unfortunately, are not going to work. There would be interference between the tire and top, horizontal seat frame member. |
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Title: Re: Catrike Extension Kit Post by jayg on May 11th, 2011, 6:42pm Did some coasting tests on the steep portion of the path that parallels the WRL dam spillway to see if the the trike rolls faster with the 26" rear wheel than with the stock 451 wheel (Both wheels had Schwalbe Stelvio tires mounted and pressured to 115 psi). Looks like the trike achieves a slightly higher terminal velocity with the larger rear wheel. Removed the Aerospoke wheel and installed a 26" wheel with 24 wire spokes. The Aerospoke wheel is stiff, and the trike really bounces around at speed on the wooden bridge planks at WRL with it installed. The bouncing could probably be reduced by installing a wider and lower pressure tire, but I like narrow, high-pressure tires. |
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Title: Re: Catrike Extension Kit Post by power_bent on May 11th, 2011, 7:26pm jay, why do you have 345 lbs of presuure when you only weigh in 140 lbs ???? :-? |
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Title: Re: Catrike Extension Kit Post by jayg on May 11th, 2011, 7:40pm power_bent wrote:
115 psi, Tom. |
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Title: Re: Catrike Extension Kit Post by power_bent on May 11th, 2011, 7:57pm jayg wrote:
115 psi, Tom. [/quote] Times three , ( 3 tires ) not unless your riding a unicycle . Jay |
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Title: Re: Catrike Extension Kit Post by Bud_Bent on May 11th, 2011, 8:21pm But unless you ride terrain that's perfectly smooth, most of your weight can end up on one tire for an instant, and that's all it takes for a pinch flat. |
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Title: Re: Catrike Extension Kit Post by TonyWard on May 11th, 2011, 8:24pm power_bent wrote:
115 psi, Tom. [/quote] Times three , ( 3 tires ) not unless your riding a unicycle . Jay[/quote] That is his next bike - just gotta find a way to make a recumbent unicycle |
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Title: Re: Catrike Extension Kit Post by power_bent on May 11th, 2011, 8:29pm TonyWard wrote:
115 psi, Tom. [/quote] Times three , ( 3 tires ) not unless your riding a unicycle . Jay[/quote] That is his next bike - just gotta find a way to make a recumbent unicycle[/quote] There's already one out there... |
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