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What Bike is Besy
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Trail rider on 10/22/2019 6:30:14 PM:
I have a question for the folks that have ridden the trail, what bike would you suggest for the trail, would a hybrid or a mountain bike be best , the rental place there recommends the jamis citizen 1 I think, any opiinion on bike tires and gear would also be appreciated.
 
Jerry Whittle from Belleville Illinois on 10/22/2019 7:15:21 PM:
A knobby tire mountain bike with suspension is overkill for the Katy Trail. A hybrid with at least 700x32 tires will work better. That Jamis would an OK choice.
 
ArkyKenny on 10/22/2019 8:28:07 PM:
I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer to your question: One probably doesn’t want a skinny tired road bike for the Katy (because Katy is not paved, because there are rough spots, because there are soft spots, because there are gravel roads to cross, etc). I’d pick a hybrid over a mountain bike (even if I put semi slick tires on the MTB) because a hybrid is more stable and likely to be more comfortable than a MTB (that is usually made to be agile/quick turning). There is no need for front or full suspension. So I’d pick something that is comfortable for straight line riding for as far as you plan to ride it. MY CHOICE is either a touring bike or a gravel bike with about 40mm wide gravel or touring tires.
 
Bill in Houston from Houston on 10/23/2019 8:13:14 AM:
Whatever feels most comfortable after hours in the saddle, and definitely one that won't get a ton of flats.
 
Marna from Boonville on 10/23/2019 9:13:17 AM:
My husband and I ride the KATY all year. We have ridden about EVERY TYPE of bike on it. We do like our 29ers/Mt. Bikes best for all sorts of weather/trail conditions. But on snow our FATTYs. When it is really dry and we are in a hurry, Road Bikes. Some days our Tandems. My BEST advise is the bike you are MOST COMFORTABLE on. "My" bike fit, and the Bike Shop "Experts" bike fit, are two TOTALLY DIFFERENT FITS! I prefer MY fit to theirs! ;-) Also, if you are packing, a bike that can not only hold all the packs, but handles well when packed.
 
G & G from Sedalia on 10/23/2019 11:02:14 AM:
I commute to work twice a week, with half the ride on the Katy. I am riding a Trex hybrid. It's so much lighter and easier to ride than my old Wal-mart mountain bike. I even upgraded my 12 year old grandson's bike to a Trex. He now rides twice what he did on his Wal-mart mountain bike.
The trail is usually pretty smooth so the suspension and extra weight that comes with that suspension of a mountain bike really isn't needed.
Like state in other posted. A comfortable bike and you can ride a length of time is probable the key. I enjoy the lightness of my hybrid and the ability it gives me to ride longer.
 
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