Santa Cruz Juliana - water bottle?

[Hound Dog]

I just purchased a new Santa Cruz Juliana. I noticed there isn't room for a water bottle cage on the inside tube. They have screws so one can be mounted on the outside of the bottom tube, but it doesn't look to be in a good place.

I have used a camelbak type of pack in the past, but find they are very hot in the summer months. Has anyone tried a 2 bottle pack worn on the hips? (I have one from my ultra running days).

any suggestions?

[Aggie_Ama]

I live in Texas (can't get much hotter) and I find the women's Camelbak Mule to be very comfortable. It vents shockingly well and ables me to carry 96 oz. I have worn it on the trail when it was 95-100 degrees and was pleased with the venting, you are going to be hot no matter what at that temp but the channels in the back make it tolerable.

I previously had a Camelbak from 2004 without the channels and it was pretty miserable in the summer, I think some improvements have been made that might be worth checking out. I have seen people with bottles on the underside of the downtube, looks like you would just lose the bottle.

[Pedal Wench]

I like my Wingnut. It sits much lower than a Camelbak, so the weight is over your bottom and not on your shoulders and arms. Plus, I like being able to access the side pockets without taking it off.

[rocknrollgirl]

+1 on the mule.

[derailed]

While many of the newer hydration packs are much more pleasant in miserable heat, there are also seat mount and handlebar mount waterbottle points which might be worth considering, if you happen to decide that a pack is not what you are looking for. I carry two bottles behind my seat on longer rides, they are not a bad reach.

[emily_in_nc]

I use the Camelbak Flash-flo waistpack. I never even notice it's on, and it gets plenty hot here in the summer in NC. It doesn't hold as much water as the shoulder packs, but it's fine for the shorter rides I do. I find that the bottle gets too dirty on my mtb to be of any use anyway, so I never use one. If I were taking a really long ride (> 1.5 hours of riding), I would need to use a bottle along with the Flash-flo, though.

[kenyonchris]

My SO is a semi-professional road cyclist, he carries all his stuff in his jersey pockets, including an extra water bottle, when riding on the road. He has decided to take up mountain biking on the side, bought a friend's 10 year old Specialized, and decided to meet me at our nearest trail. When I pulled up, I couldn't help but laugh...he had all his road gear on, sunglasses, arm warmers (with sponsor information on it), spandex, and, of course, all his gear in his jersey pocket, including water bottle. As we went down the trail, and he found that the wind on a trail is not usually a factor, off went the arm warmers. The shade made the sunglasses unnecessary. And not a mile into the trail, out popped the water bottle. I thought it was cute, and I tease him about it.
I use the Camelbak smallest women's model...anything bigger hurts my back. Here in Texas hot is the norm, and I don't have any problem being any hotter than I already am. There is no room on my Specialized for a bottle cage, so Camelbak it is.
On my RB I have two Arundel cages. WAY worth the $40.00 per cage.

[Aggie_Ama]

Chris- How funny. DH races Mountain and all the racers wear lycra.

I agree, when it is 90-100 degrees carrying a camelbak doesn't make me any hotter! Having 96 oz of water though does mean I don't pass out from dehydration.

[fatbottomedgurl]

Behind the saddle holder not a good idea because that's where you want to be when riding a steep descent.

Camelbacks are ideal because we tend to carry more stuff. You have to be completely self sufficient- tubes, pumps, tools, first aid, snacks, sleeping bag...just kidding.

[Red Rock]

This is not meant to sidetrack the original question...but...

Is there really much difference between the Camelback LUKE and the MULE? Does anyone know?

Red Rock

[Aggie_Ama]

I think the LUXE may be what they are now calling the women's M.U.L.E. I got it on sale last summer and have been pleased (hint- REI likes to put this Camelbak on sale). The straps are narrower than the MULE my husband has, maybe the whole product is narrower but they both hold 100 oz. This one has nicer straps than his MULE but his is a couple years old. FWIW- it doesn't look like they have changed the men's straps but maybe they have. Otherwise I say storage is identical- both have a ton! Basically, they are the same product but the LUXE is cut for narrower shoulders and maybe a shorter torso. I really wish the REI site showed the vent/padded back. I am sure you can find that if you looked. This is similar to mine, just a darker brown now.


http://www.rei.com/product/779957