Katy Trail Home  The Katy Trail and Rock Island Trail Rock Island Trail Home
Katy Trail Home Clinton Windsor Calhoun Green Ridge Sedalia Clifton City Boonville New Franklin Rocheport McBaine Hartsburg N Jefferson Tebbetts Mokane Portland Bluffton Rhineland McKittrick Treloar Marthasville Matson Defiance Weldon Spring St Charles Machens Easley Pilot Grove Hermann Huntsdale Columbia Jefferson City Dutzow Washington Augusta KT sticker Rock Island Spur Map Katy Trail Katy Trail Merchandise
switch to Rock Island map

Bike help
Go to Forum
Will from Chillicothe on 2/16/2019 8:34:30 AM:
Hello, I just moved to Missouri and I think I'd like to ride the katy trail this spring. I started cycling about 2 years ago - I'm certainly not an expert but not exactly a beginner either. I have two bikes: a 2017 Trek Marlin 4 and a 2000s Scott S30 road bike. I've never ridden on crushed limestone before and it seems like neither of these bikes would be great options. Can I retrofit one of my existing bikes for the trail? By say, getting heavier tires for my road bike? Or should I look at getting more of a hybrid or cyclocross bike? If I should just look at getting something new, if anyone has suggestions that would be good. I'm not looking to crush any speed records, but I don't want to be a turtle. I like to ride 30-50 miles at a time and comfort is definitely key for me. I'm 6'4 and 200#. I feel like i've never owned a comfortable bike in my life!!! I'm thinking about just getting rid of my Scott and getting something that I can ride more comfortably.
 
Jerry Whittle from Belleville on 2/16/2019 12:28:43 PM:
I weigh around 220 lbs. My touring bike has 700x32 tires and that's adequate for the Katy Trail. I just ordered a new bike with 650x47 tires which is probably overkill but should be comfortable riding at lower tire pressures. I've ridden my road bike with 700x25 tires on the Katy and it was pretty rough for even short rides. At your weigh, I think 700x28s at 80 psi would be the smallest I'd go.

I think that your Marlin would be just fine. You don't need knobby tires on the Katy so going to something smoother might work better. If you can lock out your front fork, that could help also. I suggest using the Marlin first to see how that works for you before spending any more money.
 
John Hamilton from Pleasant Hill on 2/17/2019 11:14:45 AM:
I weigh over 240 and ride a Cannondale Quick 6 with 700x35 tires. It's a little rougher than I would like, but I can cover a lot of ground compared to when I rode the Katy on 26 inch tires on a mountain bike. We've ridden the Katy in it's entirety many times from Clinton to St. Charles. After a day on the trail, camping is not an option for me so I always find hotels. An example of our breakdown has been Clinton to Sedalia one afternoon. A super long day from Sedalia to Jefferson City on day 2. A 50 miler from there to Hermann (McKittrick) on day 3 and the remaining 70 or so on into St. Charles on day 4. Now that the Rock Island is open at Pleasant Hill, you could access the system much easier form the KC metro at the Cass Co. Fairgrounds, but it makes for a much longer first day.
 
FEEDBACK! - Please let us know if you have suggestions, corrections, complaints, or ideas. Your input is valued and appreciated - thanks in advance!
More info: KT Home Katy Trail Map Trip Planner Travel Timeline Forum Towns & Services Mileage Chart Events Trail Merchandise Search Advertise Contact Us
 
By using this website, you agree to the Terms and Conditions.
how this website uses cookies
This information may not be copied or reproduced in any way.
© Copyright 2026 BikeKatyTrail. All rights reserved.
BikeKatyTrail and BikeKatyTrail.com are registered trademarks.