Camelbak probs

[pooks]

I recall reading that somebody complained about the new Camelbaks being (almost?) impossible to open.

We've had our Camelbak Rogues for a few weeks and the seal is tight, but not impossible. But this morning? I can't get EITHER of them open, and I want to take a ride. Waaah!

Has anybody ever had them "lock down" on them where they wouldn't open? What do you do?

(I did express water out of the tube in case it was a suction thing, but that didn't help.)

Help!

[Nanci]

My Rogue does that!! Turn harder!! Good luck...I've never not gotten it open, though it's often a struggle...

[pooks]

Arrrgh. My wrist hurts from trying, but I've let it rest now so I'll go try again. Thanks.

[pooks]

Actually it's my thumb that hurts, not my wrist.

[Nanci]

You could try running it under cold water and see if that changes anything.

I know what you mean about your thumb hurts- it's like the screw cap is made for someone left handed to open.

[pooks]

Bah, humbug. I finally just wore it as is and sipped two day old water.

I know, I know.

Sigh.

[Nanci]

Good reason not to empty it out!

[pooks]

I wonder if leaving it closed with water in it for two days is why it got so hard to open. I'm not sure why that would make a diff, though.

Hmm. I wonder if my husband tightened them after I filled them.

Well, he'll have to open them when he gets home, that's for SURE.

[Kalidurga]

I have the same problem with mine. It's great to know the seal is that tight so that it won't spill, but man, I dread opening it to refill. I just do a lot of grunting and shake out my hands when they start to hurt too much.

Hopefully someone here will post a nugget of secret Camelbak knowledge and spare our poor, aching thumbs

[Bad JuJu]

Glad to have read this thread and found that it's not just me having a problem opening that blasted thing. I also was thinking maybe I'd been over-tightening, but I don't want to under-tighten it either.

Pooks, did you store it in fridge or freezer when you left the water in it from your last ride? Did it taste OK?

[FreshNewbie]

I had the same problem with my new Camelback magic that I bought two weeks ago. I actually had to ask my bf to open it because I was closed so tight and I never did close it that tight. I think it has to do somethign with rubber on the lid, it sort of sucks to the bladder oppening if you know what I mean. Putting it under running water was a good suggestion, maybe the rubber has to soften a bit.

[pooks]

Mine was just out on the floor by the bike. (What? Your bike isn't in the middle of your living room?) It didn't taste bad and I just tried not to think about it. Also, since it was in the mid-70s (finally) and I only rode 5 miles, I only sipped a couple or three times.

I haven't had probs opening and closing it before. I knew it was really stiff and I had to apply a lot of pressure, but I never had enough trouble that I wondered if it was stuck until this morning, and they both are. Go figure.

[Bad JuJu]

What? Your bike isn't in the middle of your living room?

Well, it is when there's a hurricane a-comin'. But just now...well, let me go find some wood to knock on.

[Geonz]

I think warm water would be likely to work better. My theory is that when the air between the water and the rest of the camelbak cools down, it shrinks... and of course when the voume of the water decreases, that shrinks things... therefore, is harder to open. (So far I've just drunk old water or wrestled that puppy into submission, though... I figure if it's sealed that tightly germs ain't getting in either.)
Sigh, right now I can't *find* my high-viz camelbak. How can something that loud disappear????? (Is it with my wallet? That's going on three weeks...)

[bcipam]

I have learned best to open as follows:

Put the bladder down on the counter so its laying flat, twist the mouth open. For some reason, due to the plastic bladder, I can't get the same leverage if I hold the bladder up in front me. Flat on the counter, it easily opens. MAGIC? maybe....