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Maintenance tips
Make it a habit to inspect your trike from time to time, especially when new. Fasteners have a habit of working loose at first and this can
cause a safety hazard. Also, you'll find that the right front wheel tends to pick up debris from the edge of the road faster than the left front
wheel, because it's running closer to the curb. The Catrike comes with Kevlar-belted tires for puncture resistance, but this does not
mean they're immune to flats.
Keeping your trike clean will maximize its life. Wash it from time to time, but avoid the use of pressure washers. They do a great job of
getting dirt out of tight spaces, but they do an equally good job of driving lubricant out of where it needs to be. It's better to use a bucket
of water, mild detergent and a soft brush.
Many new owners tend to over-lube the chain. It should not be dripping with lube. A properly lubricated chain looks dry and clean, and
while it may leave a bit of a mark on your hand if you grab it, it should not be a gloppy mess. Use your favorite lube and follow the
instructions.
Always keep your tires filled to the recommended pressure (printed on the tire sidewall). The tubes are not entirely airtight, and the tire
will lose pressure over time. Trikes by nature will scrub the tires a bit, so they may not last as long as they would on a bicycle. Overly
aggressive riding will shorten tire life.
Your seat mesh will stretch a bit and settle in over time. It's not meant to be drum-tight...it's meant to support you comfortably. Pull the
straps tight from time to time when the trike is new...eventually the mesh and straps will settle into a stable configuration that you'll find
is quite comfortable.
If you've purchased the optional headrest, we recommend placing the pad so that it's behind your neck, just under the lower edge of the
helmet, and in a position that lets you rest your head on it if you need to but which doesn't force you to have your head on it all the time.
The headrest is nice and soft, but it does transmit road vibration.
If you're adjusting the trike to fit another rider, make absolutely certain that the chain is of the right length. In order to get the maximum
possible gear range, the Catrike drive train pushes the derailleurs close to their maximum capacity. The chain must be long enough to
handle the big chainring/big cog combination...if it's too short; it's possible to severely damage the drive train by shifting into this gear
combination and applying power. You can get away with a slightly slack chain, but NEVER ride with a chain that's too short.
Improper toe can cause extremely rapid tire wear. Toe is set by the mechanic during installation of the tie rod. We've heard reports from
the field of improperly set toe, with resulting excessive tire wear. Don't assume it's been done right! Check it yourself. Toe is checked by
measuring the distance between the front tires at approximately axle height ahead of the axle, then comparing this measurement with
the distance between the tires behind the axle. The difference should be no more than 1/16 inch with the front narrower than the rear.
See the section on toe in the assembly instructions to learn more.
You will see on the bottom of your trike your frame serial number.
CTT# for Trail
CTP# for Pocket
CTR# for Road
CS# for Speed
CTE# for Expedition
CT7# for 700
It is very common among Catrike owners on the net to identify
themselves with their names followed by their trike models and
serial numbers. Welcome to this nice group.
owner's manual - page 09
TM
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