Camelbaks - are they worth it?

[love2bike]

Hi - I'm new to the site and just decided to jump in - and just started riding this Spring. Bought a hybrid and ride about 50-60 miles a week on the Katy Trail. Love it! Now, I've commited to ride on my husband's company team for the Gateway MS150 in Columbia MO. in Sept.
We're making the jump to road bikes, my Trek Pilot 2.1 WSD will be ready tomorrow. I haven't been this excited since my last kid was born! I've started my training program, and will start riding longer rides as soon as the !@#$%^%$# rain will stop!
I usually carry about 70 oz. of water in a touring bag on my hybrid. I'm thinking about using a Camelbak for my road bike. I'm a little concerned about the additional weight on my back...

Are they uncomfortable?
Are they worth the money?
I'm looking at the "Magic", "Daystar" and "Moxie" models- does anyone use those here?
I would really appreciate your insight and advice!

[Tater]

I use a Camelbak on my road bike because my long rides take me way out in the boonies, ie, no houses with a water hose, no quick-stop stores, nada! I have a Camelbak Mule (70 oz.) and don't really notice the extra weight. Some ladies here don't like how the pack makes one's back sweaty, but I figure I am going to sweat anyway, so I don't mind. I typically keep water in the pack and put my energy-drink-of-the-day in my bottles. I also like being able to stash my snacks in the pack as well. All in all, a Camelbak works for me.

[DirtDiva]

I love my CamelBaks. I've never been bothered by having stuff on my back, but I cart things around in a backpack all the time - guess I'm rather used to it.

[Fuji Girl]

I LOVE mine. I don't have a "real" Camelbak - it's an REI one that uses Nalgene products, bought it on clearance for $20. But it's great. Keeps me hydrated and delays bonking. I get dehydrated really easily for medical reasons (it's a long unpleasant story...), so on hot humid days it's a god-send. I put ice and water in it, and it even keeps my back cool!

It may not be "roadie" but I wouldn't go without it. Mine holds 70 oz (about 2L) and has a little pocket for keys, Luna bars, etc. REI is having a sale next month - I would definitely check it out!

[gringa loca]

I love my lobo. I just got it, and it was wonderful on a long ride on Sat. At the LBS, they suggested that I keep it in the fridge, and it really stayed cool!

[Tri Girl]

I love my Camelbak. I, too, do my really long rides on country roads with no hope of rehydrating, so I need lots of extra fluids on my bike- and it's the easiest way to carry them. I don't remember which model it is, but it's wonderful. Got the really expensive big one at a sporting goods store, then was in Bass Pro Shop (why? don't ask) and found another Camelbak for $13, so I picked it up, too. The night before a long ride, I'll fill the bladder half-full then put it in the freezer. In the morning, I top it off with water, and it stays cold all day. I, too, put water on my back and gatorade in my bottle cages. I don't mind it on my back at all, and I can carry extra goodies back there (but I run with my Camelbak on long runs, so something on my back doesn't bother me at all).

I would try it- it would surely work for you. And if you're not sure, buy (or borrow) a cheapie one to see if you like it.

[mimitabby]

I dont really like the idea of wearing the camelbak, but the alternatives?
On my tandem I cannot reach the waterbottle cage because my husband's back is in the way.
Rather than make him get off the bike everytime I need a drink of water, i wear the camelbak.

on my single, if i am doing a short ride, i carry a water bottle and drink when i get there. If i am on a longer ride, i wear the camelbak because it is easier and safer to drink from it than it is to get the waterbottle out, etc..

Even though i am less than enthusiastic, i really recommend it for safety and ease.

[Nanci]

I have the Rogue which is a little more streamlined than the Lobo, which is what I used to use for years. I like it, except it's a little warm on the back, but anything's better than running out of water.

Is it cold up there? You might want to try riding in the rain if the weather is warm, since you can ride on a trail. I really enjoy it down here in Florida- nice and cool!

Nanci

[Geonz]

I don't mind things on my back (I don't sweat much), so I love my CamelBak. I don't like groping for the water bottle - and this is especially important if you're riding with others (by yourself a little weaving around isn't as dangerous).
I maximized the dork factor by getting a hi-viz one from E-bay for $20. I *don't* like that there is zip, zilch, nada cargo space (supposedly there's a way to use D-rings to attach other things... beyond my mechanical abilities), but on 2 out of 3 bikes that isn't a factor.
I like to have the camelbak with water and the water bottle either with Gatorade, or with a "reserve tank" of water - so I can just guzzle at will from the bite valve, knowing I've got the bottle full of liquid of one sort or another.

[li10up]

On rides less than 2 hrs I think one bottle of Gatorade (or your drink of choice) and one bottle of water is enough. I freeze them the night before and they'll stay cool up to about an hour. But it is really hot here this time of year (upper 90's). In this heat I've found a Camelbak to be too hot...the sweat from my back can't evaporate. But when it is a little cooler or when I need to carry more water and there are no sources of water along the way then a Camelbak is a necessity.

[KSH]

I love my SMALL Camelbak (CB).

I have 2 CB's. One is around 1 liter and is perfect. I don't notice it on my back and when filled with ice and water, I have cold water for hours (even in 100F degree weather).

My other CB, I purchased for the MS150 so I would be able to carry more water and stuff in pockets. It's approximately 2 liters. UGH! After I got the pockets filled up and the bladder full of water, it was TOO HEAVY. I even had to empty most of the water out.

Now, the MS150 is heavily supported. You typically have rest stops every 10-15 miles. You can do it on water bottles.


Oh, and I see you live in Dallas. After you get your road bikes, might I suggest you look into the Greater Dallas Bicyclists? We have a great group and many ride options for all levels. And, it's nice to be able to ride on the roads and not be scared (when you have a group of 30 riders- cars contend with us, we don't don't contend with them).

On rides less than 2 hrs I think one bottle of Gatorade (or your drink of choice) and one bottle of water is enough. I freeze them the night before and they'll stay cool up to about an hour.

It's all about the POLAR WATER BOTTLES! I freeze mine and it works great. My frozen Gatoraid/water stayed frozen/cold from 8:00 AM to Noon this past Sunday (when it was 90+ degrees).

[Fredwina]

I like mine. I usually wear them to carry water, and then out Cytomax/Gatorade in a waterbottle. I find I drink more with it. the Models i have are the Dream and the slipstream.
putting it in thefridge overnight a will keep the water cool for 3-4 hours.

[pooks]

KSH -- Does the Greater Dallas group have any beginner rides? I didn't see any on their webpage. I'm looking for something to teach us how and that isn't too long. The easy ride that starts in Highland Park looks great, but it's a longer distance than we've ever ridden!

As for camelbaks, I want one -- but I just got in from riding for half an hour and am absolutely DRIPPING, and that's without anything on my back. I'm worried I would find something on my back unbearable. Literally!

[mimitabby]

ps the weight on your back is pretty negligible. I was worried about that too
but it doesn't bother my balance at all and I'm kind of puny.

[spokewench]

I always use one on my mountain bike unless I'm just going out for a short jaunt and will take one bottle with me instead. I also wear one on my road bike although all the roadie purists will tell you that is just not done! But, I have small frame bikes (both mountain and road) and one bottle is all that will fit on the bikes comfortably and one bottle just is not enough. I use a small light weight camelback on the road most of the time and a larger heavier one off road (cause I live in the mountains, need to be self sufficient and be ready for monsoon afternoon thunderstorms, i.e. carry more)

Some people I talk to hate camelbacks cause they don't like to carry the weight on the shoulders, the will complain about neck pain, back pain, etc., but I find that if I don't overload too much, I'm fine. All of these things are personal preference, just like bike seats, etc. But you asked so I'm saying Yes to camelbacks.