Catrike 5.5.9. Review

Catrike 5.5.9. Review on November 9, 2015, updated December 1, 2020

Catrike answered the call for a folding trike with a 26-inch rear wheel by introducing the Catrike 5.5.9.—a premium grand touring model built from the ground up. Designed with comfort and versatility in mind, the 5.5.9. isn’t just a Trail with a bigger wheel—it’s a completely new design featuring a longer wheelbase for a smoother, more stable ride. In fact, it’s the most comfortable Catrike I’ve ever ridden.

One standout feature is the addition of transport wheels and a kickstand, making it easy to roll the trike around when folded and store it upright to save space. As with all Catrikes, it also comes well-equipped with essential accessories, including a rear fender, mirror, wrist rests, and clipless platform pedals—making it ready to ride right out of the box.

Frame: The frame on the Catrike 5.5.9. is aluminum, TIG welded together in Florida. I would have to say the welds are beautiful and of the highest quality in the industry.  The frame is constructed out of oversized, shaped and manipulated aluminum tubing.  Catrike does it all, cutting, bending, welding, heat treating, painting and assembly of your trike all under one roof.

Paint: Catrike’s paint jobs are a work of art. There is no one in the bike industry that is better (maybe just equal) to Catrike’s paint jobs.  Their standard paint jobs are everything you want in a paint job: clean, consistent and durable, along with seven colors to choose from. If you buy your Catrike in the winter when Catrike sales are a bit slower, Catrike will give you five additional colors to choose from.

Drive Train:  The 5.5.9. features superb shifting, thanks to a premium SRAM drivetrain with 30 gears—10 in the rear and 3 in the front. The SRAM GX rear derailleur, paired with SRAM 500 TT bar end shifters and a Microshift front derailleur, performs flawlessly. Catrike often uses this setup, and for good reason. Bar end shifters are not only Catrike’s go-to, but also my personal favorite—they’re easier to use and offer better control than the grip shifters commonly found on other brands, which aren’t as well-suited for recumbents.

Brakes: Catrike equipped the 5.5.9. with my favorite mechanical disc brakes—the Avid BB7s paired with Avid Speed Dial levers. They deliver consistent stopping power with no brake rub and are easy to adjust. A key benefit is the ability to fine-tune each brake pad independently. For the parking brake, Catrike uses a simple Velcro strap on the lever—lightweight, effective, and it allows for premium levers. In contrast, brands like ICE and HP Velotechnik use rear wheel brakes with remote levers, which work but add extra weight.

Seat: Catrike was the first to offer a padded seat, and it was a big hit—people instantly saw it as more comfortable than mesh. They used breathable foam that stayed cool and cushioned well. ICE followed a couple of years later with a vented, padded seat, and HP Velotechnik introduced an adjustable version in 2021. This friendly competition has pushed the industry to new levels. The 5.5.9. features one of Catrike’s highest seats at 11 inches (second only to the Villager), making it easier to get in and out. Its adjustable seat angle (44–51 degrees) adds to the comfort.

Ride: I found the ride on the 5.5.9. to be very nice. The 5.5.9. was my favorite Catrike until the Dumont was introduced now the 5.5.9. is in second place. So who does the Catrike 5.5.9. appeal to the most? Well, most people looking to buy a trike. The 5.5.9. has most things people are looking for, easy to get on and off of, good quality, comfortable ride, 26 inch rear wheel and it just makes me look cooler and faster than I am. The Catrike 5.5.9. has it all except one thing, front and rear suspension. I found the 5.5.9. to be a very comfortable ride, I am sure some of the changes, like lengthening the frame, adding a larger 26 inch rear wheel and adding a padded seat, all helped in making the 5.5.9. Catrike the most popular trike.

In conclusion: Catrike has been very successful with the 5.5.9., the 5.5.9. has stolen sales from the Trail, Expedition and Villager which I think is fine.

Update from 2015: The Dumont which has front and rear suspension is now Catrike’s most comfortable riding trike.