Posted on January 11, 2013 by Bryan Ball

Catrike has released their 2012.5 and 2013 model changes. Most are filed under great. A new 700, a new Pocket and refinements to the Villager and Trail. Also an improved 2013 component package that’s details aren’t revealed as of yet. One of the 2013 changes can be filed under not-so-great. Only seven colors available for 2013. If you want a custom Catrike color, get it soon! Check out the details in the following press release. (Full gallery of spy shots after the jump.)

From Catrike…

Another Leap of the Cat(trike)

Our vision dictates that we will be excellent at our core, focus 100% on development of our Catrikes and be the inspiration of the trike market. We have quietly spent hundreds of hours in R&D last year doing just that. We have added a lot of new great features to our 2013 line up that will be communicated to our dealers and public by our next Catrike Rally. We will have a small price increase to reflect the true value of our ethically made in the US products. In the mean time we have a few changes that are being implemented now in what we call the 2012.5:

2012.5 models (we are calling these 2012 and a half models, meaning that they have new updated 2013 frames but with 2012 components. These are the trikes we are shipping in January and until our 2013 models are ready)

-prices remain the same as 2012 for these 2012.5 configurations

–Pocket: New frame, 406 wheels front, 41 degree seat back (4 degrees less than 2012) and 9″ Seat Height (1″ higher then 2012) another great, perfectly scaled Catrike.

–700: New frame. We fit this trike with 406 (20”) front wheels and Ultremo ZX tires. As an accomplishment in engineering, we rotated the rider’s body position around the center of gravity, thus achieving a more streamlined position, raising the seat, transferring weight to the rear of the trike, without in effect, affecting the center of gravity. We have dropped its bottom bracket just enough for perfect tuning of the cockpit and the balance between rider comfort, output and aerodynamics. Finally we have added 1″ to its wheel base, to a total of 46″ for an optimum weight distribution, front wheel clearances and impressive straight line stability. The result is a slightly more reclined and better aerodynamic position, a higher seat bottom and ground clearance to create an improved relationship between the chain line and its main frame, thus stiffening the whole frame during pedaling while still maintaining its impressive cornering ability, handling and steering forces during turn. On top of that, because we have our own CNC milling machine, we have designed and sculpted a new flanged drop out that is lighter, stiffer and just plain gorgeous that screams quality and design with a purpose. This trike is simply the most beautiful, refined and fastest Catrike we ever produced. We have coined the term of a low flying carpet for trikes and nothing is more truthful when you ride the new 700.

–Trail and Villager: These Catrike are even more sophisticated with new seat adjustable system (like the Road). Frame is clean, light and strong and now has a 300 lbs weight capacity with one quick release to adjust the seat angle that is very friendly and intuitive. Not all steering systems are designed equal. Thanks to our over a decade in steering design and dedication and expertise in direct steering, we have yet again refined our steering geometry. Its handling rivals any trike in the World that cost thousands more, and still provides the great qualities of a well designed direct steering; light at low speed, solid at high speed with a great road feedback and a direct connection between rider and machine. A lovely and fun feeling with all the performance and stability desired.

– Our new 2013 Catrike standard group is unprecedented and establishes a new benchmark in the trike category. Thanks to our focus, volume and standardization we are able to give more.

–Colors: we have selected the 7 most appealing, popular and meaningful colors and will offer only these in 2013. They are mostly considered premium, double coats and they will come as a standard with no price increase on any Catrke model. This is a case that we figure we can do more offering premium colors in our established process so we can provide it as a standard cost, making the Catrikes even more appealing and greater value. This will allow our customer to decide with confidence among only great choices of our beautiful Catrikes. The new standard colors are: Liquid Black, Alpine White, Moon Rock Silver, Electric Blue, Lava Red, Saber Green and Shinny Mango.