jp from St. Louis on 1/30/2008 4:47:45 PM:
Good points made here trek. Saddle type is critical for comfort and proper skeletal support. Also on the hybrid suggestion; some folks do not know how that category of bicycle has evolved. Some hybrids are really roadbikes with a flat handlebar, that really move in comfort on the Katy. After a serious lumbar disc injury, I purchased a JAMIS CODA COMP which is a reynolds 520 steel framed flat bar bike, with a carbon fiber fork and a carbon fiber seatpost which I put on to replace the suspension seatpost. I put in 4,000 miles last year-in comfort. I bought the same bike(newer model year) for my wife who does not ride a lot, and we knocked down fifty on the Katy, and she could have gone farther that day. Make sure you use good, puncture-resistant rubber; also. I like the Panaracer t-serv messenger. Have fun.