GEB Cat Trike Expedition

2009 Cat Trike Expedition
I added a Golden Eagle Bike Engine Kit. Golden Eagle was great to work with and was very friendly and knowledgeable. I worked with Dennis and Julia.

I wanted to do something other than a bike. I have ridden bikes all my life. I tried a trike recumbent and I am glad I did! It is very comfortable. I have gone on 150 to 200 mile rides. I get over 120 miles per gallon on a Tanaka 47cc engine. I am extremely happy with the product. Few things are ever better than advertised and this is one of them!

I got over 1200 miles in 8 rides. The trike is 100% reliable. Wider tires provide more comfort. I can ride through gravel roads and different areas which I would normally struggle with the slimmer 35 mm tires. The wider rims offer additional stability on an already very stable trike. The custom boom that Cat Trike made for me cleaned up the front end. It was made without a front derailleur mount. Since I have a Schlumpf high speed drive I did not need the mount on the boom. With this drive I can pedal 40-50 miles per hour. I zip-tied one water bottle cage to the trike so I can carry an extra water, gas, or bike light battery. I keep extra belts, gas mixture and tools in the Cat Trike bags so I am good for an all day ride.

I have previously built a KMX Cobra trike but it was not as good as the Expedition to work with. The build quality of the Expedition was far better than the KMX.

I live in the Dayton, Ohio, area. If you would like to go for a ride or are interested in building one, let me know.

Wheels/Rims/Tires/Hubs --

Kenda NPG 2.1 Rear Tire, Stan's No Tubes Rim Tape and Sealant
Kenda Kontact Elite 1.95 Front Tire, Stan's No Tubes Rim Tape and Sealant

Arrow Racing Rear Rim, 37 mm wide
Odyssey 7 Front Rim, 34 mm wide

XT Hub 36 spoke - Rear - black, solid axle
Hope 36 spoke - Front - red - 20 mm

Hope, gold rotors
13/14 black, Wheelsmith spokes front and back

Engine --
Tanaka 47cc
14 tooth gear
120 mpg

Other --
Schlumpf high speed drive
Shimano Shadow XT rear derailleur, medium cage
LED rear lights
LED Lupine front light
KMX Rear Fender
KMX Flag
Cat Trike bags

* painted engine mounting strap red and the motor mount black

 

[ctk47]

I don't think the noise is too bad but obviously it is louder on my bike being the motor is closer to your head than on a regular bike. But I find at over 20 miles per hour the wind outdrowns the motor sounds so it really doesn't matter.

 

[moped-dan]

Ive been looking for those engines everywhere! Too bad they are so pricey but at least you can still get them. I bet that thing is a BLAST to ride..... someday I will make one just like this!

 

[Will Snow]

I also put together a motorized whizzwheel terra trike about a week ago. This is my first trike and like you I think it is real neat. While I have not had the courage to ride it any distance on busy roadways, I did ride it around our neighborhood and really got a kick out of it.

Your larger tires look like a pretty good idea, The Whizwheel has all 20" with 1.45 tires. May try the larger tires like you have in the future. I have a Golden Eagle on one of my bikes and have nothing but good to say about it and the dealers. Nice setup.

 

[lowracer]

Very cool trike...
I've had the Greenspeed GTR & AVD Windcheetah trikes (unmotored) & had a blast riding them all over the place...
Adding a motor would have turned them into the ultimate road fun machines...
Thanks for the pics

 

[ctk47]

Hi Will Snow,

I find that out on the roads people give you a lot more room being on a trike than on a bike. The larger tires add a lot of comfort on the rougher roads. I can also ride up gravel hills a lot easier. Thanks. I will check out your pictures. Wish I could find someone closer to ride with.

 

[Alaskavan]

I've been running Schwalbe "Big Apples" i go tjrough A set every season or so. They are soft.