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Ultimate Katy Trail Bike...


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Mark from Iowa on 2/12/2007 3:36:21 PM:
I often read with great curiousity all of the questions, comments and debate about the best bike for the Katy Trail. I have ridden hundreds of miles on the Katy,including end to end last year in 3 days, and many other bike trails of a similar surface. Mountain bikes tend to be overkill, too heavy and slow and upright, while road bikes are a little too fragile and most wont accept a 32 to 35c tire which I feel is ideal for this type of surface. So I have discovered a cyclocross bike to be perfect! Light, fast, sturdy with dropped bars for comfort and speed, and also able to accept a 35c kevlar belted slick for puncture protection.I have never had a flat with these tires.A Cyclocross bike is the ideal rail trail bike!

 
Steve K from Saint Louis on 2/13/2007 12:49:37 AM:
What about recumbent bikes on the Katy or similar trails? If desired, can these bikes usually be retrofitted with heavy duty tires and heavier rims? I intend to talk to a dealer here shortly, and any feedback would be appreciated


 
sbikes from Kansas City on 2/13/2007 6:05:56 AM:
Recumbent bikes are great fun on the Trail. Call the folks as the Cycle Depot who sell Cycle
Genius recumbent bikes which are great bikes at a good price. I have ridden these bikes on
the Trail and they are great. Pam and Mark know the Trail well and can set you up with a
good bike for the Trail. The Cycle Depot has recently moved from Hartsburg to Jeff City.
Their phone number is 573-636-9599. http://hartsburgcycledepot.com/
hartsburg_cycle_depot_001.htm

 
Jason from Huntsville, AL on 2/13/2007 4:32:12 PM:
Mark,

I agree 100% with what you said. Mountain bikes are overkill, road bikes are not enough. An in-between bike is perfect!

 
bmph8ter from Little Rock, AR on 3/3/2007 4:30:00 PM:
I've done it on a mountain bike with slicks (Santa Cruz Blur) and pulled a Bob trailer and it was fine. That was my first trip. Last year, I (wife and I actually) did it on old road bikes converted to fixed gears (no freewheel) with racks and panniers. That was fine too, maybe even a bit more fun. Our friends had really good luck on hybrid/comfort bikes; a Giant Sedona or Cypress.