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Richard from Saltillo, Mississippi on 4/6/2009 7:44:40 PM:

What is the best type of bike to ride on the Katy?

Thanks,
Richard

brad from st louis on 4/7/2009 8:54:11 AM:

The best bike?

The bike you are used to riding. Don't go get one just for a trip on the Katy. You need to be used to how the bike handles and how the saddle feels after a long trip.

If you are going to get a new bike you might want to consider something designed as a touring bike (like a Trek 520) or a hybrid bike. Hybrid's usually look like a mountain bike but with not so fat and knobby tires. You can even use a mountain bike with less aggressive tires.

I also ride recumbents with 1.5" tires, but most people don't get into recumbents.

Beyond that - you want to use the right tires. Narrow road tires (25c or 1") can work if the trail is dry and hard packed, but I found that 32-35c tires (or 1.25" - 1.75") tires handle the bumps and soft spots better. I don't think it is necessary to use knobby tires. A semi-knobby or semi-smooth tire works.

If you are going on a long one day trip or a multi-day trip, it helps if the bike has a rack on it to carry extra supplies like food, spare tires, tents, etc.

Trek on 4/7/2009 10:40:00 AM:

If you are going to buy a new bike for touring you might want to consider a touring bike...like a Trek 520 or a Surly Longhaul Trucker. If you have a significant other, consider a Santana, Rans, or Greenspeed tandem. If you wanna ride the Katy....consider a less expensive hybrid type bike.

Darrell from Jefferson City, Mo. on 4/8/2009 7:36:49 AM:

I had the same question about 7 years ago, and a knowledgable bicycle shop owner had the answer. When I ask "what kind of bike do I need to ride a hundred miles on the Katy Trail" he pointed to the hybrid. It has worked out very well, I have been riding a Raleigh C-40 for about 7 years and covered all of the Katy trail several times over. I plan to do an end to end late this month. My advice, go to a bike shop, ask questions, and when you decide what kind, they will make sure it fits.

Speedy on 4/8/2009 8:31:03 AM:

I'm personally a big fan of cyclocross bikes. They're a lot like road bikes but with a little different geometry and wider, knobby tires. I don't know what your specific needs are but I personally wanted something fast and comfortable for longer rides on gravel surfaces, and the cyclocross fits the bill.

jd from gkc on 4/9/2009 9:44:12 AM:

Tires might be as important as the bike itself. I use a department-store quality hybrid/comfort bike both for one-day and distance rides on the Katy. I've added quick-connect fenders and flaps to it to hold down any dust or mud from getting on me during excessively dry or wet weather. That limestone mud can also add extra weight to the bike. :)

I use 28-mm tuff-skin tires with an extra thorn liner inside each one. Because the Katy is frequently littered with wind or storm debris, I carry a flat-tire repair kit (two tubes, two tire boots in case of blowouts, levers, screwdriver, stem tool, glue, patches, and air pump). It's much faster and easier to replace a tube than to repair one out in the country. Even the small twigs on the trail following a storm can puncture a tire when least expected.

Additionally, carrying extra water, nourishment, clothing, toiletries, and emergency supplies on a rear rack doesn't hurt anything. Still, I want to try my 23-mm-tire road bike on the trail one of these days.

FEEDBACK! - Please let us know if you have suggestions, corrections, complaints, or ideas. Your input is valued and appreciated - thanks in advance!

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