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best type of bike for the trail
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g maxwell from springdale,AR on 5/22/2007 5:31:09 PM:
What do you recommend we ride on the trail- a mountain or road bike?
 
Norm from Raymore, MO on 5/22/2007 9:32:20 PM:
If you have both a mountain and a road bike or are considering buying a bike, the mountain bike would be the best. The wider tread of the mountain bike's tires gives you a surer ride on the sometimes soft crushed rock trail surface. Also if you are buying the bike it would be good to have the smoothest tire tread available for the mountain bike, rather than the knobby tread that comes on most mountain bikes. Some people do ride the trail on their road bikes (I have done it once) and seem to be okay if they're very careful and avoid the soft areas of the trail. I have both a road bike and a hybrid bike. I prefer the hybrid which has slightly wider tire treads (in between the road's skinny and the mountain's wide). Whatever you choose to take to the trail I'm sure you'll enjoy it and want to go back like I have done.
 
sharonbikes from Kansas City on 5/23/2007 6:51:08 PM:
I agree a mountain bike is your best bet. You don't need super wide knobby tires, but it
doesn't hurt. I ride a Trek mountain bike that I have put narrower tires on and it is about
perfect for the Trail. The geometry of a mountain bike works better for the rough surfaces
that you will encounter on the Trail...especially this year because of the weather issues we
have had. Parts of the Trail are smoother than others, but the mountain bike is your best
choice to deal with the parts of the Trail that are rougher and where the surface has not been
packed down My .02.
 
Murf from Jeff City on 5/24/2007 9:22:54 PM:
If it's one or the other, go with the mountain bike. The upright posture on a mountain bike allows you to see more of the scenery. But if you're buying a bike, buy either a hybrid or a recumbent. I ride a hybrid and it's been perfect---the trail conditions never bothered me. My wife rides a recumbent and it has been ideal for her.
 
Jeff Grigg from Manchester, MO on 5/24/2007 10:26:24 PM:
"Mountain" or any bike with relatively wider tires and an upright riding posture. The Katy trail is fine packed gravel; very narrow tires are generally OK, but sink slightly into the trail should it rain, which can be frustrating. The very low gearing of a true mountain bike isn't needed, as the Katy trail is very flat. Just about any reasonable bike will do fine.
 
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