skinny tires on the Katy

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KAK from Highlands Ranch, CO on 9/14/2011 9:17:08 PM:

I'm planning on riding the entire Katy Trail coming up in early Oct.
I ride a high-end road bike with the skinny tires.
Is this trail going to beat me up!

SteveK from saint louis, MO on 9/14/2011 10:08:36 PM:

The trail will be rough in spots and it will tend to chew up road bike tires so be prepared for that. However, many people have ridden the entire trail on a road bike and a few of them have done it in a single day.

Pam from Independence on 9/14/2011 10:30:30 PM:

Just finish the Rocheport-Herman portion and it was really rough in spot with BIG rocks. We guessed they were doing reconstuction due to flood and landslides from some low bluffs. I was beat up in those areas on my comfort bike.This area was Jeff City to Rhineland

gene from Indiana on 9/15/2011 12:20:51 AM:

My bike has 700c tires and I did fairly well last September for four days. That was on the east end. You should be OK but might put your pressure at 90 or 100 psi instead of 120. Go for it.

Anonymous on 9/15/2011 11:51:21 AM:

The 700C dimensions has to do with the wheel diameter Gene. A 700C can have "skinny tires" like those on a high-end road bike or those that are somewhat fat like those on a hybrid or comfort bike.

justbreathe from st. louis on 9/15/2011 5:05:17 PM:

Just did a 3 day ride of the Katy on a road bike with 1 1/8" tires and 130 psi. I had one flat on the 2nd day of the ride. I did feel "beat up" at times due to the terrain on part of the trail plus having to lean over the handlebars I have a bit of numbness in my left hand still. It's much better but it happened the 2nd day when we rode 70 miles. The first day was great (Boonville to Jeff City, over the bridge). It was the extra mileage that did me in plus the rain slowed us down quite a bit. I did better in the sandy surfaces than my friend did with her wider tires, to be honest.

Billy from Mokane on 9/16/2011 4:54:36 AM:

Yep, comments are right on. You will feel beat up. Hybrid with 32's best bet. Recommend well padded gloves for numbness, if you have room carry two pair of gloves to switch out. Also a vented, handlebar grips with padding will help on numbness.

justbreathe from st. louis on 9/17/2011 10:55:45 PM:

Thanks!! I'm going to invest in more padded gloves and check into the handle bar suggestion. Appreciate the advice!

Matojo from Rogers, Ar on 9/18/2011 12:45:18 PM:

I rode The Trail last first days of the oct. on my dedicated touring bike, the tires are The 700mm-35s. No problems and very fast. I be in the trail again this oct 8 at St Charles becouse my wife wants to ride it to. My bike is a Green Raleigh and hes a black comfort Cannondale, in case you see us!!!

dennis from rolla on 9/25/2011 7:39:29 PM:

Your high end rode bike probably has 700x23 or 700x25 tires they will work but there is spots with large gravel. Also if it rains they will tend to SINK into the trail. I ride my cyclo cross bike

Anonymous on 9/25/2011 9:13:33 PM:

I prefer a tire that is 28-32 wide, but buddy rides it with 25s. No matter the width - look for a tire with good flat protection on the KATY (in my opinion).

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