I can comment about the Tour being a previous owner of one.



The Tour will be a somewhat more fluffy ride over the bumps.  The main reason

for this is that it's a chromoly frame which gives.  The downside to this is

it's also significantly slower than a Catrike.  The other disadvantage is the

quality build compared to the Cat that is built a few short miles from where you

live.



If you have problems with bumps in general you might also take a look at the

Trice which has built in handling for this.  I would suggest you contact Phil

Mix on the central Florida recumbent Yahoo group or the trice group.  Phil lives

near you and is always up to help a fellow bent rider.



If bumps are not a big problem I personally think you cannot get a better built

trike than a Big Cat.  I personally love my Expedition, all though in the

broiling Texas summer it generally stays up on my trainer for inside cool

riding.



Good luck on your Trike search.



Rod

Plano Texas

2009 Rans X-Streme

2008 Catrike Expedition

2008 Bachetta Strada

--- In TeamCatrike@yahoogroups.com, Doug Balne <dougy911@...> wrote:

>

> hi everyone ...don't own a catrike yet but i'm looking a villagers....i

> think i need the more upright seat but would prefer the 27 speed

> version....i've also been looking at terra trikes because of the adjustable

> seat angle....any advice would be appreciated ....i think the terra trike

> tour is the one that i've been looking at....i rode both and thought that

> the

>  terra trike had a softer ride but i'm not positive....i have neck problems

> and live in an area that is fairly level with great bike paths....

> living in an area called "The Villages" in fl. not to far from the catrike

> factory i almost feel as tho it's a sign.....please help...this is a big

> decision.

> dougy911...(was i babbling)?

>

> --

> "Life is not about waiting out the storm, but rather learning to dance in

> the rain".

>I'm new to the group - five months ago traded my Tour for a Villager with a

schlumpf drive. The tour was fine - the Villager is great - its lighter, easier

to get in and out of, much shorter turning radius and with the Schlumpf drive

has access to significantly higher gearing. Highly recommended

I've owned a Villager since April.  My riding buddy just bought a Trail.  Check

the specs – the Villager is not simply a Trail minus the front derailleur.  The

Villager is wider, sits three inches higher and the Villager's seat back is 5

degrees more upright than the seat on the Trail.  If you have neck problems the

more upright seating position will probably be to your liking.



Two days ago my buddy and I completed a 40 mile loop and there were only a few

times when I wanted a higher gear.  If the area you plan to ride in is "fairly

level", as you say, the stock gearing will probably serve you well.  I'm pretty

sure you can order a Villager with a triple chainring installed at the factory. 

The Schlumph is nice, but it weighs around 900 grams.  The forward weight bias

and the higher seat height make the Villager more prone to stoppies than trikes

with lower seats.  I wouldn't want to add two pounds to the nose of my Villager.



Gordon

CTV 151

--- In TeamCatrike@yahoogroups.com, "gordonKoppang" <gordonkoppang@...> wrote:

>

>

> I've owned a Villager since April.  My riding buddy just bought a Trail. 

Check the specs – the Villager is not simply a Trail minus the front derailleur.

The Villager is wider, sits three inches higher and the Villager's seat back is

5 degrees more upright than the seat on the Trail.  If you have neck problems

the more upright seating position will probably be to your liking.

>

> Two days ago my buddy and I completed a 40 mile loop and there were only a few

times when I wanted a higher gear.  If the area you plan to ride in is "fairly

level", as you say, the stock gearing will probably serve you well.  I'm pretty

sure you can order a Villager with a triple chainring installed at the factory. 

The Schlumph is nice, but it weighs around 900 grams.  The forward weight bias

and the higher seat height make the Villager more prone to stoppies than trikes

with lower seats.  I wouldn't want to add two pounds to the nose of my Villager.

>

> Gordon

> CTV 151

>Checkout the Utah Trikes website for photos and info about the Villager with

added Schlumpf drive. Go to the Articles section and choose Villager review and

also the article on the Schlumpf drive(the slight additional weight is

discussed). For me the extra few ounces is a non-issue and of course the

Schlumpf is physically smaller than a triple chain ring- I guess it boils down

to whether you enjoy coasting whenever you come to a downgrade or having the

ability to fly by all those annoying cyclists (two wheeled variety).

Incidentally - what's a "stoppie"?

> >I'm new to the group - five months ago traded my Tour for a Villager with a

schlumpf drive. The tour was fine - the Villager is great - its lighter, easier

to get in and out of, much shorter turning radius and with the Schlumpf drive

has access to significantly higher gearing. Highly recommended

>



Welcome to the group.  I had a WW Tour also and traded mine in for a Expedition

in 2008 and never looked back.  The Tour does give a little smoother ride more

like a Buick.  The Catrike is a Ferrari pure and simple.