Have you used this hydration pack on your dirt rides?

[crazycanuck]

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?

[Irulan]

looks small for anything longer than a local loop to me but then I carry lots of useful stuff.

[Aggie_Ama]

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.

[Becky]

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.

[Irulan]

local loops are one thing, backcountry epics are a whole nother deal for what you want in your bag

[jessmarimba]

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

[crazycanuck]

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.

[SheFly]

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

[loveaz]

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

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.

[crazycanuck]

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.