Another thing to consider if you are doing some upgrades for speed
would be to install a Schlumpf Speed Drive or High Speed Drive. Not
cheap, at about $500, but it replaces the front end sprockets with an
internal gear drive. The Speed Drive gives you 1.66 X whatever gear
you are in when engaged. The High Speed Drive gives you 2.5 X
whatever gear you are in. The Speed Drive leaves two gear rings on
the front, so you still need a front derailleur. The High Speed Drive
has only one gear ring, so the front derailleur goes away.

I've used these internal gearing drives on several trikes now and
love them. If you have the strength, they can add much to your high-
end speed without losing hill-climbing lower gears.

Russ

--- In TeamCatrike@yahoogroups.com, Thomas Bartunek <tbartunek@...>
wrote:
>
> Thanks Cary,
>
> Another trike member who has been coresponding with me has an
expedition, which weighs a bit more, but he tricked it out a bit.
The other thing he mentioned was that the trike owners that he knows
that have 700's say they are not so comfortabel due to the fixed seat
and the padding (what padding) on them, and also on longer rides they
tend to get some hip rub because they are a bit narrower in the
seat. They weigh just a bit lighter than an expedition but are
heavier than what your speed weighs.
>
> I have been trying to find a local (within 45 miles) dealer and try
to test ride one before I buy. The one thing that I have been
wanting is a trike with a larger rear wheel. The 26" size on the
expedition is an easy swap for a 650 (which is time trial size) which
means that I could get a real high pressure thinner tire. (That's
why I was interested in the 700 rear.) After reading the reviews, I
am not so sure that the 700 is the machine. I have narrowed it down
to the speed and the expedition, leaning a bit towards the expedition
because of rear wheel size and ground clearance. But as I write this
to you I am thinking that I would be able to purchase a used speed a
lot easier than an expedition.
>
> I need to test ride each and see what I think. I appreciate all
your help because the speed was the other bike that I was initially
considering. I will stay with Catrike though because I don't want to
send my money overseas.
>
> Please send me more information if you have time.
>
> Thanks again,
>
> Tom Bartunek
> Bartunek and Associates
> Voice Mail: 408.243.1361
> Fax: 498.243.1361
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: carylstrickland <carylstrickland@...>
> To: TeamCatrike@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2007 12:57:09 PM
> Subject: [TeamCatrike] Re: new member looking for a used speed or
700 (if there is one)
>
>
> Hi,
>
> I have ridden a Catrike Speed for the last two years and put over
10,000
> miles on it. As far as comfort goes (important to me, I'm 65 years
old
> and weigh 225 pounds) I ended up buying a removable gel cushion
(stadium
> seat size) off the internet that works better on long rides than the
> plain web seat. Never had any problem with the back of the seat as
far
> as comfort issues. Biggest thing that happened to the speed was when
> Greenpeace introduced the Scorcher 16 inch tires - tire mileage
went up
> considerably over the Stelvio's and my average speed did also. It
will
> be a lot easier finding a used Speed than a 700, but the 700 would
> probably be a just a little faster.
>
> Cary Strickland
>
> --- In TeamCatrike@ yahoogroups. com, Thomas Bartunek
<tbartunek@ ..>
> wrote:
> >
> > Al,
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > One of my concerns is that except for one of my friends that
rides a
> TourEasy, all the others ride wedgy's, and good ones so I need a
trike
> that would be equivalent. I can do okay on the V-Rex, but wanted
> something a bit faster and a trike. What did you do to your
expedition
> as far as wheels? I liked the looks of the 700 because of the large
700
> in the back and thought that it would also be fast. My other thought
> though was the speed, so I could still do the distance rides over 55
> miles with some small accessories that I would need.
> >
> > Any more thougths?
> >
> > After your coments, I will seriously look at the expedition. I
just
> like the larger wheels for less rolling resistance and a better
chance
> to be able to get high pressure tires when needed, but maybe your
setup
> would be what I need.
> >
> > Thanks again,
> >
> > Tom Bartunek
> > Bartunek and Associates
> > Voice Mail: 408.243.1361
> > Fax: 498.243.1361
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----
> > From: allen freeman big-all@
> > To: TeamCatrike@ yahoogroups. com
> > Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 7:04:18 AM
> > Subject: RE: [TeamCatrike] new member looking for a used speed or
700
> (if there is one)
> >
> > Have you sat in a 700??
> > It is a great machine, with a lot of wonderful features, and they
> handle great. BUT, they have a molded in seat with several curves
in the
> metal bars. I have found that a lot of people find them
uncomfortable
> after a few miles. I rode one and loved it, but I have spoken to
many
> others that feel the seat angles are in the wrong place and chafe
on the
> hips or shoulders when riding.
> >
> > Just an fyi, I hope you find what you are looking for. After
riding
> them all I decdided upon the expedition, and I could not be happier
with
> my purchase. Needed to change the tires and a few things right when
I
> bought it, but the setup now is fast and handles well, is extremely
> durable, just feels right to me.
> >
> > Hope you can find the same for yourself!!
> >
> > Keep up posted!
> >
> > Al
> >
> >
> >
> > From: TeamCatrike@ yahoogroups. com [mailto: TeamCatrike@
yahoogroups.
> com ] On Behalf Of Tom Bartunek
> > Sent: Sunday, March 25, 2007 1:11 AM
> > To: TeamCatrike@ yahoogroups. com
> > Subject: [TeamCatrike] new member looking for a used speed or 700
(if
> there is one)
> >
> > I've been a recumbent rider for 8 years from Rans V-Rex and Tour
Easy.
> Want a more
> > comfortable and faster ride for hills (northern california - lots
of
> hills) For the money I
> > would spend on a P-38, I would rather get a 700 (preferably) or a
> speed. Purchased new,
> > they are really not that far apart in price, but since I have
never
> ridden any distance on a
> > trike, I'm not sure what would be best. I am also only 5'7" and
160
> lbs. I figure if I can get
> > a used trike I can put the extra money into components.
> >
> > Thanks for any help - see you down the road.
> >
> > Tom
> >
>