Printable View
I am new to road riding and finding that I'd like to keep the Camelbak idea from mountain biking, so that I can also carry extra stuff. It seems that it's not the trend, even the guy who sold me my new bike at the store advised me against a pack. So what's everyone's take on that, and do you have any recommendation if you use one?
thanks ahead,
S.
I have never been accused of following any trends. I carry a camelback backpack for that extra food, clothing, camera, sunscreen, tools etc on rides and find it pretty comfortable even on long rides. I've taken the water-bag out of mine as I find drinking out of water bottles more comfortable and it leaves more space in my pack for all that "stuff" I feel I need to carry.
Trend?
I make my own trends.
If it's hot out I don't like wearing a CamelBak backpack, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with doing that if you want. It's great for carrying extra stuff. Do what works for you and don't worry about anyone else.
I totally agree...trend doens't matter...whatever is more comfortable to you is what counts. It depends on how long i am planning to ride and where...sometimes i like not having too much extra with me, othertimes i swear by it! :)
My husband uses a camelback Mule when he needs the room, I use either my camelback Rogue and tie stuff to it or my old $10 Eddie Bauer backpack. Enough stuff (like groceries or the 40+ library books I tend to check out all at once, etc, etc) and I just take the BOB trailer.
I commute daily (40 min to 1 1/2 hrs, depending on how adventurous I'm feeling) with a small backpack, and as long as it's not too hot I barely notice it's there. It's actually a add-on daypack to a larger Osprey hiking pack, weighs nothing, is very narrow so it sits nicely between my shoulder blades, and does not have a padded hip or chest strap. Great for carrying lunch, keys, wallet and a few items of clothing so my colleagues don't have to see me wear the same thing EVERY day.
Anyhoo, I use it on road rides as well and have never really understood what roadies have against them. On fast training rides I'd rather move (and sweat) freely without a pack, but otherwise it sits just fine.
Do whatever works for you....I don't worry about what anybody thinks about whatever I carry with me when I'm riding. I figure that anyone who has time or inclination to criticize somebody's else bike and/or accessories is too bored and boring to bother with or be bothered by, LOL! :D;)
That being said, my favorite item for carrying small stuff with me isn't a backpack, but an Ortlieb under-saddle bag---which rolls up, clips shut, never gets in the way. Waterproof, durable. I have a large one, which is big enough to carry small tools, wallet, jacket/vest, even lunch, if opened full-sized. But if half-empty, it rolls up much smaller. Quick-release latch makes it a snap to put on, take off the bike......For now I'm toting regular water bottles, but pondering the Camelbak option......
Snork... if you go ahead and use one then he'll change his tune 'cause it *will* be the trend! He may be a closet Weight Weenie and think carrying *anything* extra is Dorky. The rest of the world tolerates weight weenies and their silly disdain. He also might not have realized that you already have worn 'em - they do make some people uncomfortable (not me). I carry a whole backpack, sometimes with my laptop or a travel iron...
I don't understand all this poo-poohing of people's gear choices. You should do what works for you.
I've got a Camelback Blowfish from my mtb days and I took it on a road tour this last weekend. There were plenty of other people in my group that had Camelbacks of varying sizes. I had bottles, too, and I'm glad I had both on the hottest day this weekend. The Camelback keeps my water nice and cool, and I find that its convenience really helps me stay hydrated. I haven't developed that drink-from-a-bottle-while-riding skill that some people have.
I would have never known that using a Camelback while on a road bike was "uncool" if I didn't see people posting about it on this forum. No one has ever said anything to me about it. If they have a good reason why it's functionally a bad thing to do, that's one thing. If it's a matter of being cool and trendy, well -- I think I got over that a long time ago.
I guess these guys are really uncool then.
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...DSCN1356-1.jpg
They could really use a rack :o
They are really uncool. But it's only because they're not wearing helmets.
yeah but the helmets would be bumping into those humongous backpacks.
I don't like a backpack during a strenuous ride because I do not want to be restricted in breathing or movement, and the back gets very sweaty despite the mesh thingies that bike rucksacks have. Moderate rides, commuting, fine. I see there's hotter weather than what I live through.
You have to reduce the amount of stuff you haul along if you want to ditch it.
Thanks for all the replies. I guess I didn't use the correct word with trend, I was thinking that it may not be so practical. I'll do whatever I want, not into trends :) and I have an attachment Osprey pack too, which I think will work great.
The photo is pretty neat, kudos to them !
THose two guys in the photo don't need a rack, they need a uhaul. Wonder if they make one for bikes?