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Which Bike?
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Rose from Asheville, NC on 9/26/2009 7:55:10 AM:
I plan on riding the whole trail in early April, 2010. I have two bikes to choose from. I have a cyclocross with moustache handle bars and skinny knobby tires and I have a rigid frame mountain bike with fat knobby tires. The cyclocross is just a little lighter and is luggage friendly however I can with some effort put luggage on the mountain bike as well. Which one will serve me best on this particular trail during this time of season?
 
Anonymous on 9/26/2009 11:33:48 AM:
I'd go with the cross bike, drop bars and 32's with lightly treaded tires. In April, flooding might be a concern but that's not going to affect bike choice. If there is a washout, the cross bike is much easier to hike-a-bike. Many ride road bikes with 25-28's. The Katy is smooth, an interstate compared to some other rails to trails.
 
Terry from Festus on 9/26/2009 10:59:07 PM:
I have to agree. The cross bike is the perfect bike for the trail. I have completed 2 rides the length of the trail on mine and had zero problems.
 
El Toro on 10/4/2009 9:26:52 PM:
I totally agree with the CROSS BIKE recommendations. Lots of miles on the KATY (including end-to-end) with my cross bike and I think it's the perfect choice. I run 30-32 tires with good luck.
 
Noah H from Chandler, AZ on 10/6/2009 12:44:22 PM:
I agree, a cross bike is probably the best bike for the Katy Trail followed maybe by a Hybrid. I rode my Fuji Cross Comp with knobby 32's from Sedalia to St. Charles never felt the need for suspension. A mountain bike is just not as efficient for the type of distances you want to cover.
 
Cindy Bernard from Kokomo, IN on 10/10/2009 10:45:17 PM:
A group of 8 of us rode the KATY trail from Clinton to St. Charles Sept 20-26. 7 of us were riding mountain bikes or hybrids; 1 was riding a road bike. The road bike had 4 flat tires:o( We encountered rain throughout the week and the mountain bike and hybrids were most suitable for the varied conditions of the trail once wet. We ride road bikes throughout the year and also questioned which type bike to ride on the trail. We were very happy with our decision to take our mountain bikes.
 
John from East Jordan on 11/1/2009 11:04:38 AM:
I, too, am planning to ride the KATY the first week in April, 2010. I've got two bikes, on "fitness style" bike with 700x35 with nobbies and a road bike. I've chosen the fitness bike as I think it will handle the limestone better, is more pannier friendly and is a bit more stout. With the tires I have on it, it's pretty much like a cross bike, so it should be the right choice.

John
 
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