Camelbak Question

[wackyjacky1]

I've thought about getting a Camelbak so I can carry plenty of fluids, but am not crazy about having a heavy pack of water on my back. I've seen ones that go around the waist, and I was wondering if that would work if I were to strap it onto my bike's rear rack. But I don't think the tube wouldn't be long enough. Can you get longer tubes? Has anyone tried this?

[rij73]

Having the weight of the water on your back rather than on your bike would keep you more balanced, I believe.

It would be cool if there were a system with a water reservoir on the rear rack and a hose for those who don't like backpacks, though... I don't *think* there is such a thing.

I guess if you don't mind carrying stuff on your rack, you could just carry some extra water bottles back there and switch them when you run out of water in the bottles on your frame.

[Flybye]

I've thought about getting a Camelbak so I can carry plenty of fluids, but am not crazy about having a heavy pack of water on my back. I've seen ones that go around the waist, and I was wondering if that would work if I were to strap it onto my bike's rear rack. But I don't think the tube wouldn't be long enough. Can you get longer tubes? Has anyone tried this?

That'd be dangerous if the tube got loose and wrapped up in your rear tire. I haven't head of a longer tube, either.

[sundial]

Wacky, take a look at the Platypus (http://www.platy.com/product_detail.aspx?ProdID=38&CategoryID=8) stuff. There are hands free packs as well as a waist pack. Course you could always add a trunk rack to your bike and carry extra water in that.

[wackyjacky1]

That'd be dangerous if the tube got loose and wrapped up in your rear tire. I haven't head of a longer tube, either.
Ew, I hadn't thought of that. :eek:

Yeah, I guess I can just carry an extra bottle or two on the rack when I feel like I'm going to want extra water.

[wolfak]

I do agree the Camelbak makes you a little warmer, but the weight doesn't bother me. I have one that is 3-4 years old, and I have seen a lot of the newer ones. It looks like they are making good progress in designing them for air flow across the back. I do enjoy being able to sip continuously - I actually prefer drinking from the tube as I go rather than having to reach down for bottles all the time.

[HillSlugger]

You can go with a Neverreach (http://www.neverreach.com/page/page/276159.htm)

[NbyNW]

My Camelbak Blowfish is about 10 years old and I don't really notice the extra weight when I'm riding with it, since it's pretty low profile and stays close to my body. I've even replaced the original reservoir that came with it with a larger one. My back gets a little moist on longer rides, but not uncomfortably so. And I like that the water in the reservoir stays kinda cool. And it's usually pretty light by the time I finish my ride.

I've seen tube extensions for both Camelbak and I think Platypus might make them, too. My question would be if you strapped the reservoir to your rear rack, where would you clip your bite valve? I like that my bite valve is attached to my shoulder strap -- it's RIGHT THERE when I want to take a sip.

If you know someone who has one, why not ask if you can borrow to try it out before spending the money? See how it feels to wear it with water, on your bike, etc.

[rij73]

You can go with a Neverreach (http://www.neverreach.com/page/page/276159.htm)

I KNEW there had to be something like that, but I searched the web like crazy and didn't come up with it!

[dachshund]

I just started using a Camelbak, and I was really surprised that it didn't bother me at all to have it on my back. This thing has really saved me, since I suffer when riding in hot weather. I don't know how I ever rode without it, really.

[HillSlugger]

For my longer rides I use a waist pack CamelBak and carry extra water bottles to refill it as needed. This lets me carry extra liquid, easily accessible while riding, and keeps the pack off my back. I think it's a good compromise.

[Smilie]

I have always wondered about these. How do you keep them clean, rinse out with bleach water? Do they taste like plastic? I have a big problem with plastic tasting water.

[HillSlugger]

I've never used bleach. After each use I rinse out the reservoir and tube with water; add some dish soap, swish it around the reservoir and empty it through the hose; rinse out the reservoir thoroughly and drain it out through the hose. I then dry out the reservoir with a paper towel and then hang it to dry with a fresh paper towel in there to keep it open. The hose needs to be emptied a few times to get out all of the drainage. Every so often I push a special hose brush through the hose to get it nice and clean.

If I remember correctly, when brand new you may notice some plastic taste but it goes away pretty fast.

[Smilie]

Great thanks. I don't like reaching down for my water bottle either. Can you put ice in there to keep your water cold?

[HillSlugger]

Absolutely. The opening is definitely large enough.

[Becky]

I have always wondered about these. How do you keep them clean, rinse out with bleach water? Do they taste like plastic? I have a big problem with plastic tasting water.

I freeze mine. I make a point of never putting anything in them other than water. At the end of a ride, I empty the bladder into the dog's dish, blow any water in the tube back and empty that, wash the bite valve, and throw the whole mess in the freezer. Nothing grows when it's that cold! :D

[ttaylor508]

I use my camelbacks only on long organized rides. When I am in a pace line, I don't like reaching down for my waterbottle so the camelback keeps me hydrated. I will caution not to put anything but water in it though. DH put some endurance drink in it once an has never been able to get the taste out.

They also make a drying hanger thing you can buy that you slip into the bladder of the camelback after you use it to allow it to dry out. Mine is several years old and doesn't have any funky plastic taste to it at all.

[Aggie_Ama]

I find a camelbak way to hot for me in Texas summers. This summer for necessity on the Fort Davis ride (no water available) we bought an Aquarack (like the triathletes use) and carried Camelbacks. Now we use the Aquarack on all our rides. It allows DH and I both to have an extra bottle and limit stops. If I could remove my saddle bag, I would have one on my bike too but then I would have to carry everything in my pockets like DH does. :rolleyes:

[KatyLady]

Love my Camelback!!! I live in Houston and couldn't survive summer riding without a Camelback. I bought a new one this year and it seems to provide better ventilation on my back than the smaller one that I had before. (The design and materials are a bit different.) I fill a 70 oz Camelback with ice and then water and refill it from bottles during rides. It is amazing how long the water stays cool. I just empty it after rides and hang it upside down with the cap open.

[Grits]

For a do-it-yourself camelbak dryer, I have stretched out a metal coat hanger and stick it in my camelbak (really a camelbak knock off) with the hook side down and hang it up, using another coat hanger, so the inside dries out. Works great. I also wash it out with dishwashing liquid. I find I drink a lot more when I have my camelbak on. The weight doesn't bother me, and it gets light pretty quickly anyway as I drink.

[wackyjacky1]

Tons of great info -- thanks everyone!

Well, I think I might try a regular ol' Camelbak after all. If I don't like it for cycling, I'm sure it would come in handy for hiking and other activities. I think my latest Nashbar catalog had some good prices on them...

[Geonz]

I just keep draining (drinking) and refilling my CamelBak... figure the chlorinated water will do its disinfecting thing.

[csr1210]

Love my camelbak. The first couple of rides, the weight (all of three pounds) really bothered me, but after three or four rides, I became used to it. I freeze "half logs" of ice using crystal lite canisters on their sides in the freeze. Two of these fit nicely in the camelbak, are easy to get in the thing, and the things really do stay cold a long time.

Last weekend, after riding almost two hours, I opened my husband's to refill (while still on his back). Well it still had more water and ice left than he thought, and he got doused with ice water down his back!:o:D. He let out a shriek and pulled away while I was yelling for him to lean back down so I could close it. I was laughing so hard, I could barely get the thing sealed back up! (I did feel bad, but it was funny AND an accident).

One other thing -- If you live anywhere hot, you don't want a longer tube - the water in it gets hot-blech. I usually press my bite valve and dribble the first mouthful's worth on my body, and drink after it gets cold. I know it wastes a little water, but I get the benefit of a brief little shower to cool me off and don't have that first mouthful of warm water, so it works for me.

Good luck with the search.
Christy

[Blueberry]

One other thing -- If you live anywhere hot, you don't want a longer tube - the water in it gets hot-blech. I usually press my bite valve and dribble the first mouthful's worth on my body, and drink after it gets cold. I know it wastes a little water, but I get the benefit of a brief little shower to cool me off and don't have that first mouthful of warm water, so it works for me.

You can also blow back in the tube after you drink - no water in the tube. Works in freezing weather too:)

CA

[newfsmith]

Everyone is different. I've tried 3 different back-pack hydration systems ( 1 Vaude and 2 Camel-bak) but all of them chafed my neck and made my shoulders hurt (I've had adhesive capsulitis in both shoulders). Since I like constant sipping, and the ability to keep my hands on the bars while drinking I first tried carrying my water in my handlebar bag, but now I carry a 50 oz bladder in a large fanny-pack that also has room for my jacket and lunch. The hose is attached to my jersey with a retractable name tag holder I got at Staples, so it is never loose. I've also seen people rubber band the hose to the chin strap of their helmet. You can get extra long hoses for camel-baks, I think 44 inches. If your top tube is long enough, some tourists hang a 70 to 100 oz bladder there & use velcro ties to hold the tube in place, run it up the stem then use the positioning tubes to hold the bite valve several inches above the handlebars. On your back is not your only option for a hydration bladder by any means. Experiment with what works best for you.