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EB from O'Fallon on 4/3/2006 9:35:31 AM:

Is there any kind of bike that won't work on the trail/parts of the trail? I can't tell if I would need a mountain bike, or what will work. Don't want to get flat!

Mark of the Dalton Boys from Austin, TX/Columbia, MO. on 4/4/2006 8:52:39 AM:

I once saw a gentleman do the G.A.S.P. (Greater Austin to Shiner Pedal & 90+ miles), on a BMX with an empty child trailer. Odd, but it was done and thus any human powered conveyance "can" work...just may not be the most efficient. A mountain frame will work fine, and to prevent, (not exclude) flats I would recommend a heavy tire with Slime Liners and that will get you ahead of the game. Unless you're on "airless" tires" there is no absolute prevention of flats. whatever you do enjoy the trail, be safe. Regards.....Mark of the Dalton Boys

sbikes from KCMO on 4/4/2006 9:19:09 AM:

The only bike I wouldn't take on the trail would be a road bike with skinny road bike tires. I
ride a mountain bike frame that I have put relatively narrow tires (panaracer messenger) that
have kevlar sidewalls. I have had one flat in years of riding the trail. A hybrid would be fine,
a mountain bike is fine, I would just never take my road bike out. Most of the trail is small
rock, but every once in a while there is some mushy parts and the trail as you get nearer to
Clinton is larger rock and closer to St. Louis is more like pavement. Plus, it is very dusty. I
think a mountain bike frame is built better to withstand the bumps and jostles along the
trailway. But, do pack a few spare tubes and a pump and make sure you know how to change
your own tires.

Bryan from Springdale, AR on 4/11/2006 5:16:15 PM:

I've read lots of comments on lots of websites and several books on the Katy and it seems that almost any bike will work. I've ridden pieces of the trail, but not all of it. I've seen folks out on hybrids, mountain bikes (that's what I use for everything), recumbents, road bikes, even saw an EZ-3 trike once. I do agree with the other folks though on tires. You'll have a better time with the heavier, wider tires like those typically found on mountain bikes. Most of the trail is paved with "pug", a finely chopped limestone. When its dry, its pretty dusty, when it's wet, it can be mushy in places. The narrow tires will sink deeper in the soft spots. There is a thorny vine that grows along the trail in places too. The knobby tread patterns will hold you up above most of the thorns...most of the time. Not always. Carry flat fixing tools and a pump.

Other than that, bring what ever you need to be comfortable, some sunscreen, a camera and have a good ride!

TRinJboro from Jonesboro, AR on 4/13/2006 11:21:48 AM:

I've ridden a mountain bike, hybrid and road bike on the KATY. By far the hybrid works the best. The mountain bike also works well, but most have knobby tires that you don't really need on the KATY and they tend to cause your speed to be reduced. Road bikes work fine as long as the trail is dry, but if you get a rain the narrow tires sink badly. So my two cents is, use a hybrid.

Trek Biker from St. Joseph, MO on 4/13/2006 11:42:05 AM:

Agreed with TR....I ride a hybrid....it works fine. Bigger knobby tires and narrow street tires (when the trail is soft) equate to more rolling resistance....more work involved for a what should be a pleasant ride.

No one WANTS to get a flat....always take a spare tube and know how to use it.....but all this talk about flats is hype as far as I'm concerned. I've yet to have a flat riding any rail-to-trail path.

dale nimmo from springfield missouri on 4/13/2006 1:09:09 PM:

i rode the trail round trip on a la monde road bike with 28mm tires
never had a problem but i was simply LUCKY! the trail is haphazardly strewn with ruts due to shifting of the trail, settling, and rainouts, etc etc. they are deadly to any kind of bike or tire width, watch out for them. But don't let that stop you from enjoy the trail. it's GREAT!

bryan from Springdale, AR on 4/14/2006 6:39:49 PM:

Trek Biker,
I'm very happy for you to have had such good luck with your tires. I too have had pretty good luck, having had only one flat in the last 5 years. That was caused by a roofing nail of all things, that I picked up in my back tire (while riding my mt. bike on a city street). By the same token, I've also only had 1 flat on my truck in about the same amount of time. All of this is due largely to maintaining good quality tires on both vehicles, and a portion of just plain good luck. My commute to work is more than 30 miles round trip, some of it over some nasty gravel roads. Inspite of all that, I still carry spares and tools appropriate to change or repair as needed. It won't be "hype" as you put it when you're 20 miles from home and have no way to fix it.

Trek Biker from St. Joseph, MO on 4/14/2006 8:42:27 PM:

I always carry a spare, tools, and a pump. Thats why I said "No one WANTS to get a flat....always take a spare tube and know how to use it." Traveling prepared takes the worry off the radar screen and allows for a pleasant ride!

sharron sussman from Julian California on 4/18/2006 2:19:18 PM:

I'm planning to ride the trail west-to-east May 3-10 on my Bike Friday NWT with little (20") Schwalbe tires - high-pressure but not too narrow, think they're about 1-3/4". Will of course carry a pump, patch kits and spare tubes for both bike and trailer (12" diameter) tires. But the Friday wheels will accommodate low-pressure kiddie-bike tires you can pick up most everywhere if the Schwalbes aren't working well on the trail.

I too have had pretty good luck vis-a-vis flats. Only had simultaneous front-and-rear deflations once, in a blinding downpour on the Oregon Coast!

sbikes from KCMO on 4/18/2006 7:24:15 PM:

Pack the phone number of Hartsburg Cycle Depot (573-657-9599) just in case. They are a
full serve bike shop, unlike most of the bike shops along the trail which cater more the
rentals. The Cycle Depot has a certified mechanic on staff and is open year round.

You should be fine with those tires. Are they kevlar belted? Sometimes there are sharp
pointy things on the trail!

FEEDBACK! - Please let us know if you have suggestions, corrections, complaints, or ideas. Your input is valued and appreciated - thanks in advance!

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