Touring - MTB or Hybrid

I am going to be doing a 300 mile four day tour of the Katy Trail this year with some friends. I currently have a Trek 3700 MTB and Trek 7100 hybrid. The mtb currently has the stock knobbies on it but I plan on getting some kevlar inverted slicks put on it. I know that both bikes will be ample enough to carry my gear and for the trail conditions. Which bike would you choose to take and why? I am still trying to figure out which one I will use. Throw out what you guys might think are pros and cons of each one.

Which one has handlebars with more hand positions? Which one is it going to be easier to put fenders and rack(s) on? And, most importantly, which one is more comfortable to ride?

Well currently they both have racks. I will outfit which ever one I am going to use with bar ends to give more possitions for the hands. Comfort is about the same. Guess that is what makes the decission that much harder. One does not really stand out against the other.

I'd probably recommend the hybrid because it's probably lighter weight. I've travelled the entire Katy 3 times, twice on my mountain bike and once on my road bike. My road bike has 23mm tires and only lost 10lbs of pressure in a week long ride. It was the best choice and I'll never ride my old mountain bike on the Katy again. Just be careful on crossings and loose gravel with the hybrid. You'll appreciate the hybrid in the end.

Without knowing what kind of group you are riding with...

I'd take the 7100 because it's going to take the least effort to make your 75 miles per day. The taller wheels give you a faster top gear ratio not to mention the lower rolling resistance. Also, it looks like the 7100 has the eyelets for full fenders. My wife and I did the Katy on our mountain bikes pulling BOB trailers but would have taken bikes like the 7100 if we had them.

It was really hot & humid when we did the Katy and I'd look for the more efficient option. It also rained on us a couple of times.

Have fun!!

Ron
Wasatch Mountain Range, Utah
Our Touring Journals (http://miles2go.crazyguyonabike.com/)

I too would recommend the hybrid, mostly because I completed the Katy Trail last year on a Trek 7200. The only reason I can think of to use a mountain bike is if your friends would also be riding mountain bikes.

Agreed. The hybrid might be a little less effort, maybe a little faster ride. I rode the KATY from Clinton to St. Charles over Memorial Weekend on my mtb. (2nd time for me). Nice ride.