I saw someone with this http://www.camelbak.com/sports-recre...ctane-xct.aspx @ a XC race the other day.
Has anyone used it? What are your thoughts on it for XC races/enduro events?
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I saw someone with this http://www.camelbak.com/sports-recre...ctane-xct.aspx @ a XC race the other day.
Has anyone used it? What are your thoughts on it for XC races/enduro events?
looks small for anything longer than a local loop to me but then I carry lots of useful stuff.
I am assuming you have to carry tools to fix any mechanical problems? If I were going to carry a hydration pack I would want enough space for those items and it doesn't appear that has one. I don't like a saddle bag on my mountain bike so I use a fairly big pack for regular rides (first aid kit, tube, pump, CO2, food, etc). When I did my one race I carried a slightly smaller Camelbak with enough room for a tube and pump. I had my gels more accessible in a back pocket, the Camelbak was slim like the one you posted. I don't have enough race experience to comment on more, most people at our races use a medium size pack or bottles.
One of my riding buddies uses it. There's not much space for anything- he has to strap his mini-pump to the outside. But he says that it's big enough for his needs, and is comfortable too.
It wouldn't be big enough for me....but others' needs may be different.
local loops are one thing, backcountry epics are a whole nother deal for what you want in your bag
Very similar (updated model?) to one I have. It works ok - I can carry a multi-tool, spare tube, CO2, and I usually have a jacket and small pump either stuck in the outer bungees or the pump hooked to my bike. I wouldn't use it on a long or solo ride without figuring out how to rig a first aid kit to it somewhere (I have room for that in my other pack) but it works ok for short rides or races where I would expect aid to be readily available.
My only complaint is that my pack is black...so the water is always hot :(
I am used to carrying everything I need in my smallish ground effect hydration pack so i'm not too concerned. I have a slightly bigger camelback but find it's way too heavy. Ian loves it & he'll use it as an extra at the 12hr.
I just needed an extra hydration pack for the second half of the many enduro events round here. All of them cross the main starting point for the second half & will have it handed to me during that time. I'll test it out & see. It may end up just being used during short events.
Western Australia doesn't have the "backcountry" conditions like in the US so i'm not too worried about that.
For true XC racing, the smaller the CamelBak, the better. Yes, you need a pump, tube and a multi-tool, but in a race situation, that is likely all you need to carry in the actual pack. I have a small 50 oz that I carry when I race, and it can hold those items nicely. My food goes in the leg of my shorts for easy access.
I've done races with a saddle bag and water bottles, but don't drink enough with just the bottles. And in the races here, at least, the courses are multi-lap. So, if you have a REAL problem, you are never too far from help.
SheFly
Jessmarimba - hint from AZ - night before, fill your pak 3/4 and put in the fridge. Then right before you leave, stuff it with ice. It works for a good 2 hours here in the desert. Also, we freeze our "food" bottle so by the time we need it (15-20 mins into the ride) it's ready.Quote:
Originally Posted by jessmarimba
I tried this pack out on a couple of training rides for the event this weekend & love it. It doesn't feel as if i'm carrying anything, which is great! All my tools are in a small saddle bag. I found that it doesn't get in my way when i'm going downhill etc which is a relief from not being able to put a water bottle cage on my mtn bike.
I'll be using it on a 24km portion of the second half (to explain..we start & finish the 40km section in the same place..then go off and do a 24 km section then the rest. .. Each section has crucial time cut offs as mentioned....The end of the 40& 24km section has a support crew place where my dear will be with a hydration pack ready to go)
So, short rides go well with this hydration pack.