Does anybody use this CamelBack???

[FreshNewbie]

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=125&subcategory=1088&brand=&sku=16776&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

I bought it today for my century, I do drink from a bottle on regular rides, but I usually when we (club) ride in a busy street with traffic I dont take the chance of taking my attention away or worse having the bottle dropped and someone fall over because of it. I decided I should get the camelback for longer rides to make sure I drink enough. I can also use it on my century that's coming up. Of course I got it in blue to match my bike, shoes, helmet :p shorts, geez doesn't it sound like I like blue color? :rolleyes:

Anyway, how do you preffer to fill your hydrapack? do you feel it with plain water and put energy drink in the bottle or visa versa?

[Aggie_Ama]

That looks like the one I have. Mine is a couple years old and I think it might be a little smaller. I never use mine, but not because the design is bad. The women's specific fit is great for my petite build and I recall it was very comfortable for my first organized ride (50 miles). Personally, I like to use water bottles and not deal with anything on my back.

When I did use it I always put water and ice in mine and energy drink in the bottles. This is another personal preference, I can tolerate warm energy drinks over warm water.

[kaybee]

I ordered that one yesterday, based on comments from ladies on this board! I don't have a problem drinking out of my bottles, but with only two water bottles each, DH and I are limited to riding in areas where we can refill, and we want to venture out into the country a bit more. Mine should arrive next week -- we should compare notes after we've both tried it.

KB

[Cassandra_Cain]

Hey! I have one of these, in a nice light blue.

I started riding again after a long, long absence so I haven't gone past 2 hours yet. For anything shorter than 2 hours, I used to fill the camelb'k with water. Anything longer? Definitely an energy drink (pick your favorite) - ala gatorade, powerade, whatever. I'll do the same once I go past 2 hours in a single ride, which should be real soon :)

The extra calories (for me anyway) in energy drinks, really helped on longer rides where you have to stay vigilant of your calorie intake to avoid bonking~

[FreshNewbie]

Will post review after it arrives, it's amazing what a deal you can get on Nashbar, my LBS sells them for 50$.
I also have no problem drinking from a bottle, but sometimes it's impossible when I want to (too much traffic around).

[Bikingmomof3]

I have the Charm, the only difference I see is that mine holds less water and the colour is different. I bought mine from Nashbar. i like it and the fit is great.

[Fredwina]

I have a Dream in red(subliminal message here?) works great.The only I did was to cut off some of the hose so it would not hit my leg when pedaling.

[bcipam]

I don't have th Dream but have several other Camelbaks in different sizes (50 oz, 72 oz and 100 oz) depending on my ride. I won't use anything else. I've learned to reply on my CB and just hate reaching under the bar for a water bottle. I find I drink more and stay hydrated better. Wearing something on my back has never bothered me. Plus I can carry stuff in the CB and don't have to rely on a seat bag or bar bag. Keeps the bike light and less "rattlely"

[SadieKate]

Anyway, how do you preffer to fill your hydrapack? do you feel it with plain water and put energy drink in the bottle or visa versa?Check what the manufacturer says, but usually the recommendation is only water in hydration bladders. The creep crawlies grow in there, even with water only. Storing the hose in the freezer between times helps. People have all sorts of ways to clean the hoses. We use a bit of bleach solution and then rinse, rinse, rinse.

[FreshNewbie]

Yea I know which creep crawlies you talking about! Good thing this one comes with free gift of cleaning kit, not sure if it will help. Well I guess I will have to experiment a little bit :-)

[dachshund]

I just bought this one, but I haven't had a chance to use it yet. I mostly drink plain water, and would put the sports drink in a regular bottle.

[Kano]

I have a Dream in red(subliminal message here?) works great.The only I did was to cut off some of the hose so it would not hit my leg when pedaling.


Why in the heck didn't I think of that!!!!! Cutting off some of the hose, what a good idea!!!


Karen in Boise, who's hunting for a good sharp scissors....

[Geonz]

I have a hi-viz version, with a nicely insulated hose - not sure how I'd cut off any of it, though. I keep stuffing it down into the bag.
I just wish this thing could hold **anything** cargo-wise. I love putting a blinky on the loopy tag thing and glowing in the dark. And despite what people say, it's water in there, not gin.

[xeney]

I have the Charm, as well. I've found that I can stash a very tiny paperback in with the water bladder, but that's it. I have a bigger one for day trips but I don't really use it on the bike.

I would never put gatorade in the Camelbak, but I do fill it with ice if the day is hot enough. We tend to ride in hot weather so usually I have two bottles of Gatorade plus water in the Camelbak.

And cutting the hose is brilliant! I am going to do that before my next ride.

[JLD]

I don't know which one I have, however the bladder can take more than 2L of fluid. I just fill it with cold water and away I go. As I have a significant scar on my upper right back, I was resistant to wearing any type of back pack-however, the camelbak has a sliding set of clasps at the top-so-when I hitch it together, there is NO pressure on my old scar nor over the muscles. The water stays reasonably cold for a long time. There is padding on the back, too, that allows a barrier between my skin and shirt, to leave room for sweat dispersion and evapoartion. I love the little pockets--that let me carry keys, ID--small towel, binoculars--kleenex and all that jazz. I am Very pleased with the whole device. I have no problem getting the mouth piece to my mouth. All in all, this is a piece of gear I wouldn't be without anymore.

[Hub]

I recently read some where that a great way to clean your camelbak is to fill it with hot water and Strap it back on after you get home--- the water sloshes around to clean it and it feels like a heating pad on your tired back and spine.

[FreshNewbie]

Thanks everyone who replied, this forum doesn't stop to surprise me with the amount of great women and advice I get. I will report once I get my surprise mail order

[wannaduacentury]

I have the 50 oz Charm, mine is blue too. It's perfect for my rides and women specific and fits well. I just put water and ice cubes to keep water cold and a powerade or whatever.

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=125&subcategory=1088&brand=&sku=16770&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

[farrellcollie]

I just bought the Dream in red after trying it on at REI - it felt better to me than any of the other ones - even the more expensive Magic. I alos have a smaller one (Hydropak) without the sternam strap - it is fine - but does not hold enough water for longer rides.

[love2bike]

I ordered the blue Dream last month, and love it.....I put sports drink in my bottle and water and ice in my Dream. On a 90 degree ride it's a nice "cold pack" on your back. It has just enough storage space for me.

I'm finding that I will drink more often when I use the Camelbak-I don't have to grab for the bottle when I'm riding.

[FreshNewbie]

Still didn't receive mine in the mail, but based on the feedback looks like I should fill mine with iced water and put sportdrink in the bottle. This saturday on a ride of 58 miles I was able to drink only 2 bottles of liquid ( some gatorade with water) and I know it's not enough, but because the route was mostly through busy streets I didn't want to risk.

[kaybee]

Ordered the Dream Wednesday, it arrived Friday, and I tried it yesterday. It worked fine. It was surprisingly comfortable and I ended up drinking most of the water I put in it, plus the two bottles on my bike. Who knew I was so thirsty? Looks like this is a keeper. Hubby seems fascinated with it, so I guess I'll have to get him one, although I don't think he'll want the WSD version. ;)

KB

[yellow]

I have the Dream also. I've used it a lot this summer on very long rides as we've often been in places where water stops are scarce. I only use it for water and also carry two bottles, one with water and one with Perpetuem.

I like the Dream because I can also put my extra drink mix powder, phone, extra flask of gel, extra Ibuprofen, extra Endurolytes, etc. in it. Of course when I wear it the racer boys won't even look my direction. :p

Oh, and I wouldn't cut the tube because I snake it under my arm and clip it onto the strap so that the mouthpiece is pointing up at my mouth. Very easy to drink out of that way and no extra tube flapping around.

[Shiraz]

I too have purchased the dream this year and love it. I rarely use it for water but use it all the time for the "extras" that may not fit in our back pockets. What is great is you have the option to pack more water. I ride a lot in the rural areas and stops are 30-40 miles apart. I love that you really don't notice it is there. It's not too hot to wear either. Hope you enjoy yours as much. I found Nashbar really has the best prices. Much cheaper than the local bike stores.

[deedolce]

I'm such a klutz, I had a hard time reaching and drinking for the bottle. I also didn't like anything on my shoulders, since I was prone to upper back knots. So I got a small joggers camelback that just goes around my waist. I love it! I also have a tendency to take alot of little sips. It holds the same as 1 large water bottle. The places I ride, I can usually refill every 20-25 miles, when I need to. If they don't have potable water (RH Phillips Winery, for instance) I'll throw an extra bottle into my rack trunk. I do want to put a cage and bottle on my bike though. An energy drink would really be nice, and I can always pull over when I need that!

[eclectic]

I don't have this specific one, mine is one size smaller and pink. I LOVE it
At the top of a hill I'm not reaching for a water bottle but can just pop the valve in my mouth and drink on the downhill without losing my cadence or speed.

I too find I drink way more water with the camelback than just with water bottles. I always take it if I am going more than 25 miles

I have 2 water bottles and cages that I fill as back up, we don't always have some place to stop for water.

I only put water in my CB and energy drink in the WB as I can't imagine cleaning sticky goo out of the tubing

And everyone is right - Ice and water in the CB on a hot day ahhhh

[Duck on Wheels]

I have this one:
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47992312&parent_category_rn=4500632&vcat=REI_SEARCH
I've biked without it, but found that I drink too little when drinking involves stopping to pull a bottle out, or pulling it out while riding (makes me a bit nervous). I put plain water in the pack and rehydration mix in a couple of bottles, drinking from those whenever I stop. That seams to work fine. And the pack has space for me to stuff in my arm warmers, sweater etc. as the day warms up, rain gear in case those clouds burst, camera, a couple of energy bars ... that kind of stuff.