The Best Tire for the Katy Trail?

Riders sometimes ask about the best tire to put on their bikes before riding the Katy Trail and the Rock Island Trail.

The surfaces of these trails are crushed limestone. In general the trails drain very well. I have been out on some very rainy days and did not find the trail mushy. Sure, it is softer than normal on wet days, and you may find a place here and there where your tires sink down a little further, but otherwise the layer of limestone is firm.

It’s firm, but not like pavement. Your tires will displace the chat and leave a trail. But, on the other hand, it’s not like riding through sand at the beach. I suppose the most elite riders among us will feel the extra resistance. The rest of us won’t notice.

If you’re inclined to put on a specific tire to ride the Katy Trail, you could go for a 35mm-42mm. That width, combined with a lower tire pressure, say 40-50 psi, may make the ride more comfortable and help you to float over the limestone rather than form a furrow. It may be worth experimenting with the tire pressure on your particular tire.

Deep, knobby tread is not required. A light tread is fine as you will not find yourself making steep ascents or descents, relying on that tread to keep you from sliding (unless you accept the challenge of the Calhoun Climb). Avoid the very edge of the trail and you’ll be fine.

For myself, I spend more time thinking about punctures. Those little pieces of limestone can form sharp points, like teeny-tiny arrowheads, and when you roll over them just right, they stab right up through your tire and tube.

I’ve had my share of flats out there. Some tubes I patched, some tubes I replaced, and at least a couple of times I had to call my wife to come pick me up because I went out unprepared.

So, besides the right width and the right psi, make sure you can fix a flat if needed. And/or, find a puncture-resistant tire. This is not an endorsement, I don’t get a kick back (though I wish I did, as often as I’ve talked about these) but I put a set of Gatorskins (24mm slicks, 100 psi btw) on my tri bike, which I regularly ride on the Katy Trail, and have NEVER had a flat. 

For the bike I ride the most on the Katy Trail, I have a set of 35mm tires, but I typically keep them at 80 lbs psi. You might want to do something different. If you do, I certainly won’t argue with you.

If you have found the perfect tire and the perfect set up, let us know. Ultimately, the BEST tires to ride on the Katy Trail are the ones you have right now. Don’t wait for every thing to be perfect before you start riding.