<p>Catrike is known for high quality trikes that are made in the USA so I knew I wanted to buy a Catrike. I wanted a trike that was light weight and that would have a comfortable ride. I read a bunch of review and narrowed it down to the Catrike 5.5.9 and the Catrike Road. The Catrike Road has a rear suspension and a 20” rear wheel . The Catrike 5.5.9 does not have a suspension but does have a larger 26” rear wheel and padded seat. I got to ride both trikes back to back for a good comparison test. I chose the Catrike 5.5.9 over the Catrike Road, thought the rear suspension on the Catrike Road was a bit stiff and there was not a lot of travel. I was surprised with the ride quality on the Catrike 5.5.9. The larger 26” wheel helped because a bigger wheel can roll over a bump better than a smaller wheel. The Catrike 5.5.9 also had a padded seat which also added a bit more cushion but I think the biggest difference came from the longer wheelbase on the 5.5.9. The clincher was that the frame folded on the 5.5.9, not that I see myself using the folding feature but it is a nice thing to have if I need to.</p>

As I've aged and slowed down a bit, my love for cycling hasn't diminished. Riding about five days a week has been a consistent part of my routine, and with an average of 3000 miles per year on my trusty old Catrike Expedition, I decided it was time for a new trike. Staying loyal to the Catrike brand for its reliability, I opted for the 5.5.9 model this time.



The choice of the 5.5.9 was deliberate, primarily because of its higher seat height and more upright seating position. Unlike my rigid Expedition, this new trike has the added feature of folding in half. While I personally don't have a need for the folding capability, I recognize its potential benefits for those who may want to transport their trikes conveniently.



The ride on the 5.5.9 proves to be a bit more comfortable compared to my Expedition. I appreciate the padded seat on my new trike, and the more upright seating position adds to the overall comfort. It's a thoughtful upgrade that aligns well with my evolving preferences for a smoother and more enjoyable cycling experience.

<p>My friend owns a Catrike 5.5.9 and talked me into buying the same trike. I will have to say that it is more fun than I thought it would be. We really love packing our two trikes up and traveling around and riding different trails in our area. Our average ride is about twenty five miles and we have gone up to fifty miles in one ride. We both have our trike set up about the same with a rear rack and side and a top bag on the rack. We both added flags, mirrors and a flashing rear light. I like that the Catrike 5.5.9 is very light and that it folds in half which makes it easy for us to transport both trikes inside one vehicle. The trike came with some very nice, high quality parts that function very well together. I patricianly like the bar end shifters over the Grip type shifters you find on most other trikes. The handling seems very precise and the ride quality seems to be very smooth for a trike without suspension.</p>

<p>I rode a number of the Catrike models and the 5.5.9 really stood out for me. I wand the smoothest ride possible with a higher seat height and folding frame so I can easily transport the trike. The Catrike 5.5.9 satisfied all my need, The trike is very well made out of light weight aluminum and has high quality components. I thought the padded seat was going to be a big deal to me but at this point I think a simple mesh seat would have been fine. The seat does seem to be a bit warm but not so much that it is uncomfortable. I like that the Catrike are made in the USA, it give me confidence that if I need a part I will be able to get it without learning Chinese or another language. The paint is applied very even and has a very smooth shiny finish. For me the 5.5.9 really stood out above the other models with my second choice being the Expedition. The 5.5.9 beat the Expedition for me because of the higher seat height and being able to fold the frame for transportation.</p>