Bike Advise

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Robin Ausmus from Macon, Missouri on 10/6/2008 2:17:10 PM:

As my knees began to hurt all of the time I decided it was time to give up running and try out biking instead. I have been biking the KT most of the summer and love it! However, as I was not sure that I would enjoy it I have been making due with the bike that I had. I am now sold on riding and I'm ready to purchase a better bike. Since I am new to this I need advise on the brands, styles, etc...of bike to purchase that is best suited for trail riding. Any help that can be given is greatly appreciated!

Ron from Portland, Mo. on 10/6/2008 2:33:54 PM:

I ride a Raleigh gruv, its a pedal forward bike and very comfy, 7 speed, 26 inch wheels, perfect bike for riding the Katy. If your interested I have one for sale as I have several of them. 573-254-3744 Thanks, Ron

Speedy on 10/6/2008 3:50:32 PM:

I'd suggest looking into a Cyclocross bike. If you're not familiar with them, they look like road bikes but have a slightly different geometry and wider, knobby tires. They're very versatile bikes, easy to ride, comfortable, and quick.

Doug from Bluffton on 10/6/2008 4:15:46 PM:

I agree with Speedy. You can change the tires out for road rides or touring and run wider tires for the trail. Several even have rack and fender mounts to use for touring. You can get a really nice one for around $1100 new. Then you can go on any rides your friends might want to do.

Jason from Overland Park on 10/6/2008 6:11:14 PM:

If by 'trail' riding you are referring to continuing to ride other trails around the country like the Katy, then a Cyclocross bike would be awesome! If by 'trail' you mean going off-road and riding over stumps, etc, I would highly suggest looking more into a hard-tail or full-suspension mountain bike.

Most of your big bike companies make entry and mid-level cyclocross bikes these days from the $400-500 range on up.

If you want something a little more unique, here are a few great companies depending on your budget....

www.surlybikes.com
www.gunnarbikes.com
www.salsacycles.com
www.ifbikes.com (very nice frames, but pricey)

Good luck!!

jp from St. Louis on 10/6/2008 8:09:50 PM:

I have purchased three bicycles made by JAMIS Bikes and have been very pleased with their quality and the level of components offered compared to the purchase price. I suffered a lower back injury in 2006 and knew that my days on an aluminum bike were limited. I have a CODA COMP, which is a 520 Reynolds steel frame with a full carbon fork, and good components and wheelset, for $800.00. I purchased one for my wife also. We rode 50 miles on the Katy the other day and the steel frame and carbon fork soak up the rough stuff with only about a pound more weight than a comparable aluminum bike; and much less weight than a mountain bike with a suspension fork. There is a dealer in Chesterfield that carries JAMIS and I highly recommend both of them(bike and dealer). Check out their website at Jamis bikes.com. My other JAMIS is a self built custom road bike that I have put three thousand comfortable miles on so far this year. Check out this companies machines, they are very high quality.

Murf from Jefferson City on 10/6/2008 8:47:13 PM:

I ride a Trek hybrid and it has been everything I need for the Katy Trail. I can't see investing a whole lot more in a bike for the trail unless one is into speed.

Jason from Overland Park on 10/6/2008 8:53:21 PM:

Yeah, I forgot to mention in my last post that steel frames are great for a nice, comfortable ride. If you're wanting to spend more money, grab a titanium frame since they ride like a steel frame but weigh far less. I also agree with the above post, Jamis bikes are nice bikes. If you aren't getting a mountain bike, make sure you get a cyclocross from their 'roadbike' section on their website.......their streetbikes do not have the bottom bracket clearance that you'll probably be looking for in a cyclocross style bike. Also be aware that they do tend to use some chinsy components on a lot of their bikes to keep the overall cost down. There is nothing more frustrating than being stuck in the middle of nowhere with crappy gear that decides it doesn't want to work for whatever reason.

Cliff from Edwardsville KS. on 10/7/2008 7:40:15 AM:

Robin, My wife and I ride Giant Hybrid bikes and we have found they are great for the Katy. If you are looking for a bargin on Saturday morning Oct. 18 the bike shop in Defiance MO is selling their rental bikes. Every year they sale the bikes they have used for rental during the past year. They are Raliegh bikes that are set up for the trial. They sale them for $150.00. They are sold on a first come basis. They start giving out numbers around midnight Friday night and start selling them at 8AM. I have bought three of them for family members and they really like them. You get a good bike and save a few hundred dollars. If you are interested be sure and get there early.

Anonymous on 10/7/2008 8:46:20 AM:

Before you buy anything, go to one/two/or however many bike shops and ride as many bikes as you can. The most important thing to find is one that fits. Once you find one or more that fit, go back a few days later and ride them again. Everyone is different, some prefer the straight up position on a hybrid, some prefer the more aggressive position found on cyclocross bikes. Myself, I prefer my hardtail mountain bike with street tires because it will haul a load of stuff and isn't dicey on the sand and gravel left over from the bad weather. Do keep in mind that the Katy Trail is like an Interstate compared to some other rails to trails.

Mark of the Dalton Boys from Austin, TX. on 10/7/2008 11:38:07 AM:

Above missive very important....whatever you get, get yourself "fitted" to the bike as that will among other things perhaps prevent knees from hurting. When in doubt...ride your bike. Mark

Jason from Overland Park on 10/7/2008 10:27:08 PM:

Very important note......if you're knees are hurting chances are that your seat is not high enough. I see a TON of people riding that have their seats too low and it will definitely cause knee problems.

Here is a great page with some common cycling issues explained.....there is a good explanation for knee issues linked in the 'knees' section as well.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/pain.html

Robin Ausmus from Macon, Missouri on 10/9/2008 3:53:39 PM:

Hey...BIG thanks to all that replied to my post. I certainly attained alot of good advise and things to think about prior to my bike purchase! I knew my fellow KT riders would be a great resource and I was right!!! Happy Trails and Thanks again!

skip from New London on 10/11/2008 5:39:30 PM:

I have to agree with Murf....I also ride a Trek hybrid & it seems to me to be a perfect fit to the KATY trail....and it doesn't do too bad on a good hard surface.

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