Reply to Bike/Tyres Types for the Katy Trail

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Reply to Bike/Tyres Types for the Katy Trail

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Mark from Houston on 8/12/2005 6:16:33 PM:

I may be in St. Charles for Thanksgiving. I'm a roadie and I doubt my bike will take fatty tyres, only 700X23-25. I'm not sure if 28c would clear the frame or not. I could put some gatorskins on it. Otherwise, I have a hybrid that I could put my road seat on and get some cross tyres around 30c. Would it be dumb to bring the road bike or would I be better off going with the hybrid?

J.B. from PITTSBURGH on 8/12/2005 9:46:39 PM:

I rode trail in June on 28mm hard case tires on a Trek 2300c (rode-comfort--new for 2005)bike. Worked fine.

frank from festus, mo on 8/13/2005 7:33:04 PM:

i have a raleigh bike with i would guess medium knobby tires, maybe a 1 1/2 wide. have rode numerous miles on the katy with out a dimes worth of trouble. i have rode the day after it poured down rain for 2-3 hours and when i bone dry. no problems with my tire at all. what ever u use, good luck and have fun. frank umbdenstock

Austin from Longmont, CO on 8/14/2005 12:22:44 AM:

I rode from Pilot Grove to Hartsburg and back on a Trek 2200 with 700x25's and thought they worked great.

Rob from Parker, CO on 8/19/2005 2:33:56 PM:

My wife and I rode the whole trail pulling trailers with our Specialized Seqouias. We had somewhat knobby 700x35's on the fronts and 700x25c road tires on the rear. We had one rear flat, but no trouble other than that. Even with the additional weight the road tires seemed to do ok. I think I would prefer to have the 700x35 all around just for security.

Rear Admiral from Wisconsin on 10/23/2005 1:42:35 PM:

I just finished riding Clinton to Weldon Springs and back on a tandem with 26 by 1.5 tires. We had NINE flats between Tebbets and Weldon Springs. Lots of thorns, walnuts, sticks, rocks, etc.

MLH from Overland Park KS on 10/23/2005 9:17:40 PM:

For either bike, check Specialized website and look for any tire in the various categories that is designated as Armidillo. The 700 x 32 Borough CX is particularly suited but will not likely fit the road bike. Also, check the Schwalbe website and choose the "On Tour" link for numerous tires that are Kevlar-belted and come in sizes for both bikes but check the weights of the tires, you don't need the 700gm+ types in the larger sizes. If you use the hybrid, I would highly recommend the Continental Travelcontact in 700 x 37 (measures about 33-34 though) as I have never had so much as a scratch in the tread on these tires after hundreds of miles on the Katy and other rail-trails. They ride great with acceptably low resistance and weight also. Note that true 30mm "cross" tires are lightweight for racing,
not belted, and tend to puncture on the Katy. You are looking for "trekking" or "touring" tires.

Anonymous on 12/4/2007 1:08:02 PM:

You should expect many flats with GatorSkins. They have a thin tread and sharp rocks penatrate very easily. I agree that Armidillos are a better choice.
I am a veteran of many R to T's and have had many problems with GatorSkins on Canal Trails etc.

Anonymous on 12/6/2007 11:10:42 AM:

I rode the full trail in September. Chose my hybrid over my road bike.
Glad I did. My main reason was the number of cracks in road. Several times I thought to my self that I was glad I didn't have raod tires when I went through a crack. Not sure what the leafs are covering up on the trail, which would be another concern.

Pat from Oklahoma City on 1/8/2008 5:36:55 PM:

I'll second the comments about Specialized Armadillo's. In three multi-day trips on the Katy and one multi--day trip on the Cowboy Trail, I have had no flats with the Armadillo's (700x32c on Specialized Sirrus).

Anonymous on 4/3/2011 9:55:44 PM:

I have tried numerous tires on the Katy and my favorites are Michelin Cyclo Cross Jets, 700x30 on my Trek 7700 hybrid. They are low rolling resistance yet stable and durable. No matter what tires you use take a patch kit or better yet a spare tube and no what to do with them.

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