Road bike OK on Katy Trail?

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Pfiske from Orlando/Kansas City on 4/18/2012 9:22:16 PM:

I have read and been told by various people that a road bike with skinny tires is OK for Katy Trail, or must use off-road bike. So which is it? I would like to do Tour de Corn on 6/23/12 and then ride Katy for a day or two on my way to KC but can only bring one type of bike. As a current flatlander living in FL, what stretch of Katy would be best for me (relatively flat but scenic)?

SalsaBoy on 4/18/2012 10:19:16 PM:

This seems to be a common question, and an area of much debate. Look down at some of the posts, and you will find a wide variety of opinions. That said, I am a roadie who has gotten to where I don't particularly like road (700c x 23) tires even on the road, so I sure don't like them on a hard gravel path. The Katy has different degrees of hardness vs. looseness depending on location, time of year, rain, etc. As a rule, the further east you go, the harder the surface gets. So, can you ride "Road" tires anywhere on it? Yes. Do you want to? Not me, esp. if it is the western part (West of Booneville). Kevlar, puncture protection, etc. anywhere on the trail is a necesssity because the limestone has little "arrowheads" that work their way through your tire and give you flats. Most people like at least 28's, and I personally wouldn't ride it without at least 32's. Others will tell you that they ride with "Road" tires and have no problems. Good for them. That is not my experience. I do not think you need knobbie mountain bike tires, but I would pick a mountain bike with 1 1/2" wide slicks over a road bike with 23's anywhere on the trail. Others will disagree.

Pfiske from Orlando/Kansas City on 4/18/2012 10:28:46 PM:

I appreciate your reply, SalsaBoy. I have been reading the posts and now know that east of Rocheport is flat and close to MO river. I just purchased an off-road bike with 1-1/2" tires and think this will be best for KT. I am thinking of using Amtrak to get to and fro. Happy riding.

Alphonso on 4/19/2012 2:09:09 PM:

Well I'm touring thru on a touring bicycle and seen lots of road bikes out here. Nothing fast or supper but it's smooth. Except the wash outs from the rain. But something with at least 28c or bigger.

Mike from South of Clinton on 4/26/2012 9:48:46 PM:

I will throw in my opinion. I have spent much time and money exploring this subject. In the end, I went with what I started with- Road bike with 700-23 tires. I tried going to 28's, noticed more resistance, and changed my gearing in a way that did not suit me. I have a hybrid bike with 700-35 tires, I stop every time I ride it on the trail and check to see if my brakes are dragging, they never are. I rode end to end with a aluminum frame, carbon fork and seat stay road bike with Continental Gatorskin 700-23 tires with 110 lbs of pressure. Did not have one problem. Rolls extremely easy, coasts great, can be rode fast if need be. Rode in the rain on the western end with no issue. I certainly could see signs where someone, sometime, was sinking in the trail very badly, not sure when that happens. I carried around 12 lbs of additional gear, made the trip in three days stopping fairly often to sight-see and eat at local restaurants. Really wouldn't change a thing. That said, my experience is just that, no warranty expressed or implied.

Anonymous on 4/27/2012 8:55:46 AM:

It seems to me that there is lots of common sense in the responses here. The responses above certainly line up with my experiences on the KATY.

After lots of different experiments, I settled on 28s. They are hard case tires with great flat protection (as recommended above).

In addition, I have come to love to ride the KATY with a fixed gear bike. There is just such a rhythm about it...I love it.

Can't wait to go back. Lots of day rides planned and a 3 day Clinton to St. Charles on the books for June. Excited!

jason from wentzville on 4/28/2012 8:48:23 PM:

Your fine, i have ridden the whole katy a couple times. used mountain bike with mountain, skinny road and slicks. some places have soft areas but most is hard packed. the only problem i have is
The dust and small rocks that ding frame.

Brett Dufur from Rocheport on 5/2/2012 9:29:08 AM:

I've ridden the trail end to end with groups on everything from road bikes to hybrids and recumbents. You'll be OK on whatever you got - you'll just learn to take it slow if there's a washboard washout area, and you'll of course bring multiple extra tubes (no brainer). Stay away from trail edges that are softer, where skinny tires can cut in too much. Also - avoid "vines" at trail edges, which sometimes have thorns. After several days of heavy rain, skinny tires will cut into trail more deeply. But in middle of summer, with dry weather, it packs hard like cement. Have a great trip!

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