Sorry Catrike..it's ICE Time

My thread on BentRider posted 4/17/19. Go to BentRider for comments.

Sorry Catrike..it’s ICE Time

Catrike is missing the boat. The market for electric assist is growing and Catrike tells me they have no plans to enter the electric assist market at this time. The only option is an after market add on to a Catrike. The E-assist add ons don’t thrill me. In addition an after market add on will void the Catrike warranty.

Over the last ten years I’ve purchased seven Catrikes but my loyalty will now be divided between Catrike and ICE. I ordered an ICE Sprint FS E8000. It’ll replace my Catrike Expedition while I keep my Catrike 700 for shorter fast rides.

After driving over to Bent Up Cycles and taking a spin on an ICE Adventure equipped with Shimano’s Steps E8000 I was hooked. With no second thought I had Dana order me the Sprint FS with the E8000.

Over the years Catrike has had a tendency to follow market trends for awhile before making a commitment to produce what customers want. Their late entry into the suspension market stands as an example of this “wait and see” philosophy. It also seems to me that with their recent introduction of the Catrike Eola that Catrike is focusing more on affordability and leaving the high end and E-assist market to manufacturers like ICE.

ICE trikes are definitely more expensive but they are beautiful machines. I didn’t want to “wait” for Catrike to determine the viability of the E-assist market so I will soon take possession of an ICE Sprint FS E8000.

Why ICE Sprint FS E8000

I've forgotten what's it's like to get out of bed in the morning without pain. Of course some mornings are better then others. It all depends on how much I pushed myself the day before. My chronically sore hip muscles (from the screwed up hip replacements in 2013) protest in the morning and more recently my wrists, from carpal tunnel (soon to be dealt with), are joining in the protest. A few cups of tea while waiting for the Ibuprofen to soften the aches and pains and I'm soon ready to start the day.

Recently our move to a new home took away the time and desire to ride until just a few weeks ago. Now that we're settled in I'm back to riding again. But during the last few months of packing, moving, unpacking and fixing up the new house my body was screaming at me to take it easy. Even with my beautiful wife telling me to not do so much it's in my nature to be physical. I just like to get things done. Indeed the last few months were rough on my old body and mind. But I've been through much worse so I knew this would be a temporary mind game.

Soon after getting the new house set up I finally took my first ride in four months on my Catrike 700. A short, very short 8 miles and 515 feet of gain later I was back home feeling soooo old. It hit me that even when I was at my best (which I will be soon again) over the last few years 30 miles or 1,000 feet of gain, whichever came first, was pretty much the limit of my comfort level when riding. In that moment I accepted that I do have limits. How can I extend those limits? Easy...let common sense prevail where ego once ruled. Not every ride has to be 100% under my own power. Let the MAMILs struggling along on poorly geared upright carbon bikes serve there ego. My ego will be just fine without having to push myself to hard. I want to keep enjoying life and to so I'm calling on Zeus to give me a little assist to go farther and higher.

In about five weeks I'll have my new ICE Sprint FS E8000 to take me on those elusive longer rides. No more wasting my hips going up hills. And longer rides. With the help of Shimano's E8000 pedal assist I can go beyond my limits. And when my ego needs servicing I'll take a short fast spin on my 700.

ICE Sprint FS E8000 Ordered

I took a test ride on an ICE equipped with Shimano's E8000 pedal assist. It was so much fun I ordered an ICE Sprint E8000 form Dana at Bent Up Cycles right there on the spot. 

I want to go farther and I'm bored with taking forever on long ascents. I climb slow to save my hip muscles from with arguing me.

Since Catrike says they have no plans in the works for an e-trike of any kind I decided to fork out the extra dollars for an ICE with the E8000. A quality pedal assist backed up by two reliable companies, ICE and Shimano, fits my needs perfectly.

Why pedal assist? I still like pedaling and I didn't  want any kind of assist with a throttle. Also I didn't want a trike that has the motor built into the rear hub like the Copenhagen wheel that would create drag when free pedaling or coasting.

On a personal level my rides generally are limited to 30 miles or 1,000 feet of gain whichever comes first. Issues with botched hip replacements back in 2013 has forced me to impose limits on myself to avoid paying for it with discomfort or pain later in the day or the next day. Also a partially atrophied right calf muscle (nerve damage from the anterior hip replacement method) causes some cramping in my shin muscle after a long ride. Manageable but annoying.

So...a pedal assist makes a lot since for longer rides and steeper rides. Along with the assist I ordered electronic shifting which is integrated into the E8000 control panel.

I'll keep my Catrike 700 for shorter fast rides and eventually sell my Catrike Expedition.

Now I just have to wait. Ugh