tire size and tread

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gwrightf150 from on 3/17/2014 11:35:19 AM:

I'll be riding the Katy Trail first part of June 2014 and I'm curious what tire width, tread pattern you might recommend for the crushed, packed limestone. I'll be riding a Mountain bike (29er). Do I need to go as narrow as 700cX45c or does it really make that big of a difference? Thank you in advance for any advice.

gwrightf150 on 3/17/2014 11:38:45 AM:

I should probably add that this is a 5 day ride, so speed is not the goal.

MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 3/17/2014 1:04:00 PM:

You will not need any knobby tread tires. I prefer touring bike tires for the Katy. I use tires such as the 700x32c Continental Touring Plus or the 700x40c Clement X'plor Mso Adventure. I would say the majority of tires that I see on the trail are hybrid types in the 35-38c widths.

ArkyKenny on 3/17/2014 4:44:08 PM:

I agree with Midsouth. There are threads on this website where we have beat the subject up, but we all pretty much agree that knobbies are not necessarily, and anything else between 28s and 2 inches will do.

If you have not ridden Katy, I think it is like hard concrete with a fine layer of kitty litter on the top. There are a few wash outs, but the trail is pretty solid--especially east. I tend to get flats when my fat butt rolls from the trail over asphalt crossings, so if you're loaded, be careful there.

I ride a touring bike with 29er rims most of the time. On it, I will have 32s with about 70lbs of pressure if it's dry and I want to go fast, or 40s running 55lbs if it's wet, or if I'm lollygagging. Whatever you use, they need to be in good shape and have some puncture protection. I'm also considering setting up my Schwalbe Marathon Mondial 40s up tubeless...........just because I can........there is that overkill thing again.

Anonymous on 3/18/2014 8:13:57 AM:

MidSouth and ArkyKenny, thank you for the input. Much appreciated.

Anonymous on 3/18/2014 3:14:35 PM:

Agree with the comments above. I run 28s...which is the low end (or lower) than what others prefer but I have had no problem with them on repeated trips Clinton to St. Charles and lots and lots and lots of single day rides. Even important to me than width is (as noted above) FLAT PROTECTION. I DO NOT like to change tires sitting on the edge of the trail!! Between the limestone shards, thorns and other miscellaneous, flat protection is a must in my opinion! ENJOY your ride!

Paul Toigo from Kansas City MO on 3/18/2014 9:04:09 PM:

The WIDEST tires I've ever ridden on the KATY are 28s. Indeed, flat protection is imperative for those that want to keep rolling. In my experience, any Schwalbe tire with PLUS protection (e.g. Durano Plus, Marathon Plus) will do the trick.Plus are both durable.

Pseudio on 3/19/2014 3:43:40 AM:

Since Paul has experience in the single day full Katy Trail ride, his opinion on types of tires and definitely flat protection is both good and valuable. I believe he does long rides in Asia too?

Ninard from St. Louis on 3/19/2014 9:58:25 AM:

I ride with my 29er all the time including long trips with Racing Ralphs and now I have Maxxis Crossmarks. You do not need to change to a thinner tire. Both I have used have worked great.

ArkyKenny on 3/19/2014 12:37:09 PM:

I love these discussions! We have people saying that 700x28 slicks are the thing to use: And in a post right after that, a guy says that 2.2" knobbies are the way to go. Others, like me, say that something in between those extremes is "Perfect"--and even I used 3 different sets of tires on the Katy last year on 2 (very different) bikes.

It just goes to show that there are many speeds, and ways to enjoy the ride.

Anonymous on 3/19/2014 9:11:11 PM:

They're pretty good until someone puts down others choices instead of realizing that most all tires or bikes will work. No need to be rude because someone rides a different tire.

Paul Toigo from Kansas City MO on 3/20/2014 6:31:41 AM:

I didn't claim "700x28 slicks are the thing to use". My recommendation is to have flat protection, specifically the "Plus" product offered by Schwalbe.

I'm back from Asia and ready to ride my 3rd century of the year this Saturday. I'm looking for Fleche (360km) teammates for a 18-19APR2014 ride starting in Washington MO that will use a significant portion of the KATY trail. Any volunteers?

ArkyKenny on 3/20/2014 7:50:20 PM:

"The widest tres I have ever been on is 28s" is not an endorsement?

I understand that efficiency, speed, weight of the wheels, etc. is something to be considered, especially if you are trying to cover a lot of ground fast. But 28s are not for me on the Katy. I'm considering a 1 day Katy attempt on my Surly Pacer road bike with 32s on it. We'll see...... I am not a fan of vibration, or of plowing a row in the limestone, so I have always chosen to go bigger/more comfortable/stay on top of the surface. That is especially true on a wet day. But then again, I have never not carried a significant amount of "stuff" with me.

Paul Toigo from Kansas City on 3/21/2014 5:37:40 AM:

Correct. It is not an endorsement. Much less a directive. It's just a report.

My unpaid endorsement has not waivered. Use Schwable tires with Plus protection. If one is so inclined, the Marathon Plus Tour HS 404 is available in up to 700x40 and 26x2.00. Which reminds me, long story, but for full disclosure there was one trip where I rode a bike with Marathon Plus 700x32 front and 700x35 rear.

Pseudio on 3/21/2014 5:51:42 AM:

I believe tire size depends on your speeds, endurance and strength. But also that most have emphasized, is flat protection. You can get flat protection, kevlar or other materials, in all tire sizes. No fun at all changing flats. If you are riding without flat protection which should be in the tire primarily and with tire change gear, secondary, it is lets say, "commando" riding.

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