Beginners

My husband and I are wanting to go for a ride on the Katy Trail. We are getting ready to purchase bikes, but not sure what to get. I really want to get a cruiser bike with the comfy seat and handlebars, as we will be riding around our little town with our children as well and these are more comfortable and eye appealing to me. But is a mountain bike better for the trail? Are there lots of hills or rough terrain? Plus, I am getting kinda worried about all the comments of changing tires and bike repair and such. Just wanted to go for a lovely ride on the trail as far as we could make it and then stop for a stay in a B&B for the night and probably head back the next day. Of course, we won't tackle this until we are in shape from riding locally. We owned mountain bikes in the past, but not sure what kind to get. Don't want to make a huge investment in bike riding because we have other hobbies like horseback riding and camping that takes up most of our time. Just wanted to give it a try. Any pointers or bike suggestions are highly welcomed! Thanks so much! Oh, also, is the trail good for children (on shorter rides of course)?

My suggestion on the bike itself is to try to have more of an open mind. The cruiser bikes are actually pretty uncomfortable in general (I'm told) if you take them beyond very small distances (3-5 miles), which you will likely do if you're going on the Katy. This is because of that seat, along with the style of handlebars, since you don't get very many possible positions to move in while riding. But if you plan on keeping to short distances, it might be a consideration.

Then I understand from the cruiser bikes I've seen, that the gearing options are pretty limited, and you wouldn't want that in most generic riding situations in MO (small steep rolling hills, some flats). This won't be an issue on the Katy since it is made from an old railroad bed. But I wouldn't make a bike purchase choice based simply on one possible ride you could take. I would consider something that will be useful for most purposes and will still be suitable when you grow in riding if you persist in it.

On changing tires and bike repair, we bring it up because it's a fact of life in cycling. If you ride long enough and far enough from home, you will get a flat tire while riding and will need to be able to fix it. You also might want to carry some tools for other minor maintenance like adjusting brakes. But changing tires is about 90% of the on-road maintenance and a necessity if you go anything beyond short distances.

As far as it being "good for children", it depends on how apt/willing they are. I would definitely suggest creating good incentive to make it enjoyable for them. But there's nothing that unsuitable on the Katy that a child couldn't ride it.

Hope that helps.

I would agree with the previous comment about the cruiser. Even though the grades are relatively low on the Katy, you need some gearing. I would reccomend that if you are opposed to a mountain bike that you consider a hybrid. To enjoy the Katy you need to ride in comfort. As to repairs, I have not done as many miles as others on this forum, but I have completed two end to ends and major portions on other rides without any flats or mishaps. But I always ride prepared and I know that I will eventually have a flat. It just comes with the fun. Luck.

Ok. Thanks guys. That helps. I wasn't thinking of the trail being an old railroad track bed, duh, so of course its pretty level and the grades are long and low. As far as the bike goes, I guess I'd be better off with a mountain bike with a bigger seat, (I just hate those skinny little seats that come on them LOL). My town is hilly as well and I do know it's hard to avoid hills in MO! Thanks again!

I would like to give my humble opinion here. I would only purchase a mountain bike if I intended to use it as a mountain bike. The wider tires, suspension, and added weight are not needed for the road or paved trails. It is amazing how much more work one has to do on a mountain bike compared to other types of bikes. I like the thought of a hybrid and one that is purchased from a bike store so the bike can be custom fitted to you and thus more comfortable. And, the key to a comfortable saddle is not in it being big and cushy, but the right size. A bike store can help you with that and maybe sell you some padded shorts as well.

On Mountain bikes, they're generally fine, I've found. The biggest issues with them, though, are the suspension (very hard to use, and unnecessary in most cases) and the added weight (because of durability to take it off-road).

If you consider touring beyond just a day where you need to carry things (water, food, clothes, and so on), you will want wider tires than the norm, because they will need to handle the weight you carry (your weight plus gear).

The bike store suggestion is great, they should be able to explain all the factors involved in selecting a bike and should help you be able to find something that fits well for you and will satisfy all the requirements you need.

Terry is right.. Recommend a hybrid..And spend a little money, you will get so much more in return. Would you buy a pair of cheap shoes that doesn't fit? Kind of the same. Whole point is give your self the experience of enjoying the trail. Go to a big city bike shop with a lot of choices. Listen to the guys there.

Undisputable facts about riding:

Seats: Virtually no one ends up with the seat that came on the bike. Do as others do, start with that one and adjust from there. You don't know until you have ridden it for a few hours

Flats: They happen and just as likely 10 feet from your driveway as 40 miles out on the trail. At least have spare tubes on every ride.

Another consideration is to rent a bike. I've seen rentals lately that are designed to accomodate average riders that have rear hubs like the old 3 speeds had. These bikes have 8 gear options.

Although they add weight, I use HD Slime tubes with vinyl liners b/c I hate flats. I often ditch off the trails onto dirt trails where briars easily cause flats. I DO always have a tube with me.

For newbies, ass pain is gonna happen with any seat until you build up some mashed meat muscle.That alone keeps me riding all winter. I hate to re-condition my butt. Do lunges!lol!

I totally disagree with the comment stay away from cruiser, I have a Electra townie ride the Katy quite a bit anywhere from 25-50 miles at a time and just love my cruiser as do others that I ride with. Its upright seating position and pedal forward design can't be beat as far as I'm concerned for riding and enjoying the trail.

Go to a big city bike store that has a wide selection. You will miss out on looking at many models in a small town shop. I always ride my Trek Hybrid on the trail. Get at least a middle grade bike.

My vote goes to the hybrid or comfort bike.

I have to agree with the folks advocating a hybrid or comfort bike --
the less weight the better. I've ridden parts of the Katy on a trial
bike (heavy) with fat tires and a cushy seat and on a true road bike
with 700x23C tires. The road bike with its racing saddle was far more
comfortable. But my dream bike for the Katy would be a hybrid with
700x28 tires to handle the crushed stone a bit better. Don't get one of
those huge seats. They look comfy, but aren't. Get a good saddle from
good shop, a pair of padded shorts and some chamois butter.

I've done the entire trail twice, once with a comfort bike, and once with a cross/hybrid without the high handlebars, wide padded seat and shocks.

The comfort bike trip was the LEAST comfortable. The high handlebars left my shoulders aching and the padded wide seat chafed horribly.

The narrow seat and lower handlebars on the cross/hybrid gave a MUCH more comfortable ride and was much easier on my back in the long run.

For my money, the comfort bike is NOT comfortable for more than short rides.