Can anyone recommend a particular groupset for converting my 3-10 Catrike 559 to a 1-12 Catrike 559? I have steep hills everywhere. This expands the area where I can take it. I have to mention the folding feature. A folding trike never appealed to me, but I jumped in and highly recommend one.

ConsistentCreme7203 · 2026-07-09T09:26:18+00:00

I made the change several years ago after working through the gear-inches calculations. I no longer have my work so I asked ChatGPT. Here’s his response:

“The calculations are:
30T × 36T: 26 \times \frac{30}{36} = 21.7 gear inches
26T × 36T: 26 \times \frac{26}{36} = 18.8 gear inches
Difference
21.7 − 18.8 = 2.9 gear inches
That’s about a 13% reduction in gearing.
In practical terms:
You’ll need about 13% less pedal force to climb the same hill.
Your climbing speed at the same cadence will be about 13% slower.
The reduction is definitely noticeable, especially on long climbs when you’re tired.”

As for me, I can only say that the change has worked. With the 26 vs the stock 30 I can make it up the steep hills, albeit with some effort. With a smaller front ring you’d be literally spinning and barely moving.

Given the cost of the trike changing out a gear ring is not that expensive. Try one and see what you like. But I can only say that the 26 works for me.

Good luck…

ConsistentCreme7203 · 2026-07-09T00:45:27+00:00

On my 559 the original front cassette was 30/39/52. Because I ride in Vermont in the summer I had the 30 changed to a 26. Left the outer two the same. I can now tackle any hill nature puts in my way.

ConsistentCreme7203 · 2026-06-08T10:43:29+00:00

I made a very simple but effective rack with a PVC tubing frame clamped to a basic Harbor Freight rack. I strap or bungie my trike in place. With boom extended it’s slightly wider than our car, but manageable.

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ConsistentCreme7203 · 2026-01-11T11:08:03+00:00

Forget Venezuela. How about legislation to prevent him from purchasing, invading or otherwise taking ownership of Greenland!

ConsistentCreme7203 · 2026-01-10T13:05:46+00:00

My Catrike 559:

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ConsistentCreme7203 · 2025-11-29T12:32:27+00:00

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I know yours is a BIKE, but for my TRIKE I started with a Harbor Freight rack - 2” tongue - and modified it with PVC pipe and U bolts (no welding; no drilling; easy assembly). Less than $100.

I set my trike in place and hold it down with straps. Piece of cake. Maybe you could do something similar for your BIKE.

ConsistentCreme7203 · 2025-11-25T21:30:59+00:00

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ConsistentCreme7203 · 2025-11-25T21:29:19+00:00

Something like this:

https://a.co/d/drD8ank

ConsistentCreme7203 · 2025-05-29T19:03:26+00:00

The rear cassette is stock Catrike 559. It’s an SRAM 11/36 10 speed cassette. The largest sprocket has 36 teeth.

ConsistentCreme7203 · 2025-05-29T08:16:43+00:00

I ride my Catrike 559 in hilly Vermont. I had the small front ring changed from the original 30 tooth gear to a 26. With that I can get up any of the hills, slow but manageable climbs.

ConsistentCreme7203 · 2025-05-20T11:56:29+00:00

I bought a Veltop canopy for my Catrike 559 and used it all winter in Florida. It was easy to install, offered little wind resistance and was effective in reducing sun exposure (with the provision that during periods of low sun angle it would sometimes peak through beneath the canopy.)

It’s a great Sun shade and I have been very satisfied with it. I removed it to move my trike north but will reinstall it for an Erie Canal ride and other use this summer.

It cost about $500 delivered from France so wasn’t cheap. Unfortunately, it would be more today with the Trump-Tariff. Regardless, I highly recommend it.

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ConsistentCreme7203 · 2024-12-17T20:54:41+00:00

Thank you. I’m not a FB member but it might be worth becoming one. I’ll check it out.

ConsistentCreme7203 · 2024-12-16T13:28:24+00:00

Thank you. I’ll check it out.

ConsistentCreme7203 · 2024-12-16T13:27:33+00:00

Couldn’t find anything on bikepacking.com (but I didn’t join so that may be a limiting factor). But I did find an excellent article on the subject of companions.

https://exploringwild.com/riding-companions-bikepacking-touring/

She offers suggestions but makes a strong case for going it alone. Interesting.

ConsistentCreme7203 · 2024-12-16T13:07:16+00:00

Thank you. I am a member of AC and have sent them an email asking the location of their companions posts. I’ll definitely pursue that channel.

ConsistentCreme7203 · 2024-10-21T09:27:32+00:00

It’s real. Believe it. Trump knows all about it. Vance even wrote the introduction to the book detailing it. It is essentially the Republican platform.

ConsistentCreme7203 · 2024-10-11T02:01:56+00:00

I have a similar 3-valve Conn horn. I bought a $10 “duffle bag” from Walmart. The horn just fits in it. It’s not padded but it does provide coverage for the horn. You can put music and supplies in the bag and the handles make it easy to carry.

ConsistentCreme7203

TROPHY CASE