Road Bike Tires For the Trail

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DSD on 6/6/2012 10:04:27 AM:

I have ridden the trail end to end several times on a hybrid with good comfort taking in all the sites with flora and fauna. I'm wondering about a little faster pace road bike with Specialized Roubaix Armadillo Elite 700x23/25c tires this year. They do have kevlar lining. The bike is pretty high end carbon frame (may be too light for the rougher parts?). I have seen teams on the trail last year with road bikes. If you don't mind I would like to hear from those who have ridden the trail with road bikes comments primarily? Thanks.

Anonymous from St Louis on 6/6/2012 10:23:19 AM:

My wife and I always ride the Katy on road bikes. However we are riding aluminum not carbon frames.

Anonymous on 6/6/2012 11:37:57 AM:

Carbon fiber too light for the rough parts? If you think it is too light in weight for the rough parts of the Katy, you may want to just slow down a bit. I doubt that carbon fiber is too light in construction for the Katy. Isn' that the benefit of it? Very tough and durable, but light in weight?

Gary from Near Tebbetts on 6/6/2012 12:30:14 PM:

Carbon fiber, aluminum, steel can all put you in position for serious injury if you are going so fast you can not stop for an automobile crossing the trail.

Now that the tree and brush cover is thick, it is diffifult for a driver to see you on a bike blazing down the trail. Please slow down and enjoy the scenery.

kevin from Jeff City on 6/6/2012 1:48:34 PM:

Ditto Gary. Slow down for intersections and keep an eye out for maintenance vehicles.

Anonymous on 6/6/2012 2:34:58 PM:

I've gone end-to-end on a carbon fiber bike and 25mm kevlar-belted, flat-resistant tires with no problems....not even a flat.

Obviously - common sense at intersections and common courtesy with other trail users is always important NO MATTER THE BIKE.

While there are rude "fast" riders....In my history, some of the slowest riders can be the most clueless in terms of trail etiquette.

Etiquette and common sense have very little to do with bike/tire choice.

Jim from St. Thomas on 6/6/2012 3:27:56 PM:

I guess the key here is what DSD considers a faster pace. If you're looking at 14 - 16 mph there's no reason to switch from your hybrid - a hybrid will easily handle that pace. I get a little nervous over 16 because of the possibility of rocks, sticks, squirrels etc. on the trail. Also, trying to stop quickly on loose chat is always an adventure. On the other hand if you're just itching to ride your road bike on the trail, go for it.

Trek on 6/6/2012 6:41:09 PM:

I'm not sure what you consider high end, but although we do ride it, I'm not really fond of riding the Santana on the Katy when it's been real dry and dusty. Limestone dust between rims and brake pads, and in the chain and gears can't be all good at any pace.

Billy from Mokane on 6/7/2012 3:55:36 PM:

Ditto-Trek,
I hate the limestone build up and I can get a good build up in the dusty summer time. I would never take my high end road bike on the trail. Stick to my Trek 7.7fx Hybrid. I love this bike for the trail.

DSD on 6/11/2012 11:45:03 AM:

I do appreciate your comments. I've ridden the trail with a Trek FX7.3 many times with very good results. No flats or problems at about a 14 mph pace. Just was wanting to kick it up a little with my Specialized Roubaix SL2 carbon Dura Ace at maybe 16-20 mph (on flat straight-aways)for a 2-3 day full trail ride. It's about 15-16 lbs an I'm a little larger so the "too light" comment was made. I do slow down for gates, crossings and any other trail traffic but you are correct about control on the loose chat. The dirt and dust comments are good too with build-up for gears and brakes. I may take both and alternate bikes. Thanks.

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