Originally Posted by Carbonated

I have a friend who recently decided he would go with a recumbent due to back issues - he is 40 years old.
There is a Cat trike dealer in the area and took the the villager for a spin and liked it. It retails for $2500ish but he says it will be about $2800 out the door and it's not a folder which isn't absolutely necessary but would be nice. He said he also was interested in the 550.
The same dealer carries Velotechnik though he didn't have any on the floor - the Gekka model interested him and it costs about the same.
I came across the Performer brand and the prices are several hundred dollars less but he would have to drive 450 miles to the dealer.
Can you give any advice such as quality of the above manufacturers, any drawbacks to folders, is back wheel size important and any other things that might help?
Thanks in advance!