Doug & Victoria from Fort Lauderdale, Florida on 6/26/2005 12:57:53 PM:
We just finished the ride from Sedalia to St Charles, rear panniers only, on Binachi and Windsor road bikes. Before I left we also questioned what type of bike we would need so I emailed and called a few people and bike shops along the trail. After talking to them I put Spinskins and, as added protection (and a LOT of weight), we used the Thorn Proof tubes in our Conti Top Touring 700x32s. We did NOT have any flats. Maybe the Thorn Proof tubes were overkill but even if they are VERY heavy (I have removed them since returning home and will keep them for future trips) the weight is not really an issue at Katy Trail speeds. We also had three rainy days. The first day, out of Sedalia, we were caught in a torrential downpour for hours, and the bikes handled fine on the soaked trail. IN fact, the only riding issues we ever had were "washed out" rivulets across the trail in only a few spots. East to avoid in bright sunlight but a bit harder to see in the canopied sections on the overcast, rainy days.
Now I would not take my carbon fiber Kestrel but a good road bike with the right tires is a great and easy ride for the trip. Hope this helps.