hydration packs

[goddess1222]

i am thinking about getting a camelback to wear when i ride on the road. it is quitean undertaking to grab and drink when on the bike. am i being a weenie? should i learn the skill and be done with it? or is getting a camelback a good alternative?

[Irulan]

I love my camel back...i only take bottles when it's an "epic" ride.

plus you cram all your goodies in your pack, wait not so sure that's a good thing...I always carry tools, first aid, camera, food, etc.

Irulan

[goddess1222]

may i ask what model you use?

[coolbeansbikes]

I have a big fanny pack (Eagle is the brand) that has the side-adjustments. I put a 100 oz bladder (Platypus) and hose in it, and run the hose around front.

I also have a 100 oz Camel Back, but in warmer weather I prefer the fanny pack! Some of the newer models are probably less "hot" on the back than mine ... (I think it's a Rogue? came in blue or mango when I got it...)

Both are big enough to carry a granola bar, and my wallet, keys & cell phone as well! (the fanny pack has more room!)

I only use water in either of these, and gatorade (or carrot/pineapple juice) in a gatorade bottle on the bike if the ride is going to be longer than an hour or so. I have found that the gatorade bottles (24 oz, with the green and orange sport top) are the easiest to use on the bike. They slip in and out of the cage easily, and opening the bottle itself once it's out is a simple twist of the lips &/or bottle! I never use "official" bike bottles anymore ...

[Irulan]

mine is an antique Jandt bag with a 70 oz baldder nothing special bu tit does the job

Irulan

[Terry]

I love my Camelbacks. I primarily use the "blowfish" because I can carry extra stuff that I use on longer trail rides. I was recently given a small Camelback, "flashflo"; it has a bladder (45oz) plus a place for 2 bottles on the sides. I can carry a bar, keys, some first aid stuff in its pouch for short rides.

I would find it "hair-raising" to take my hands off the grips to reach for a drink from a bottle on a mountain bike ride. The Camelback takes one, fast, easy move to get the spout to the mouth...less time and effort and you can drink while you ride with both hands on the bar. I only use bottles in spin and if I wouldn't get "stared at" I'd bring the Camelback to class!

I did have a Platypus but, the second time I used it, I had taken a fall and it burst open. I took it back. I didn't find the seal to hold under impact. I think the Platypus is great for hikers.
Terry

[Irulan]

Terry who cares what they think... I've taken my camel bak and Fox full finger gloves to spin class, complete with dirt falling off my shoes.

but I imagine I won't see a spin bike until November now.

Irulan

[goddess1222]

do any of you find that they cut into your shoulders?

p.s. hey irulan, how did you get that cool icon scanned in under your name?

[Kpicha]

I use the Camelback Rogue and no it doesn't cut into my shoulders at all. I think the only thing I don't like about the Camelbacks is locking the front straps together - right over the boobs I just leave it undone and I was surprised that it stays on fine.

I don't have the endurance to ride for more than 2 hrs so if it isn't 100 degrees out and I'm not drinking every 10 seconds, the Rogue is perfect. I can fit my pump, keys, micro-tool set, and Power Bars in it. And when its full, it provides great waterbed like padding for the unexpected falls

Cheers,
Kristina

[Kathi]

I just got a Ultimate Luna Hydration Pack. Its made specifically for women. The shoulder harness and waist belt are designed to fit our bodies. The pack is long so it rides on the hips and doesn't pull on the shoulders. It's big enough to carry a jacket and all of your essentials.
The bladder holds 64oz, is wide mouthed and very easy to clean. I use Accelerade in it and it hasn't stained like my camelback bladder did.
I used it for two 50 mile rides this weekend and did not even notice that it was there. And it was wide enough to keep my back dry in the scattered shower I rode in, for an hour and a half!
I ordered it from REI, had to do a search to find it, it is not listed under cycling hydration packs.
Kathi

[Terry]

Irulan-- I DID wear a Camelback to class right after I had a bout with alergies this winter...I could hardly suck the water up the tube, that's how bad my air passages were! Right now, the Camelback is an extra thing I have to carry to the gym, but I'm considering it. I do wear my gloves and "use" the Terry thumb right up front! And the mud from the red rock on my shoes
...works for me!

The shoulders straps have yet to bother me. I confess...I usually do this corny thing with my guy and ask him to fasten the boob strap for me...hey, I like getting coped for a feel before a ride! It's good luck. (Bada-bing-bada-boom)

Kathi, the hydration pack you discovered sounds fantastic! Thanks for the information.
Terry

[zen_grrl]

There are a huge range of backpacks designed for cycling that have space for a camelback bladder in them.

I use my backpack (a Vaude Splash Air 20) for both commuting to work and for my off-road adventures. I like it because it expands to take all the stuff I need to carry to work and compresses down to only hold a few tools for offroading (but that's a whole other topic...) and it means that I always have heaps of water which is readily accessible.

In terms of water storage I prefer the platypus system to the camelbacks. I've never had any problems with the platypus and find it much easier to clean than the camelback. It's also much cheaper

[Joycily]

I use a Camelbak Rocket on my road bike on longer rides. Nice padded shoulders. Like Kpicha, I took off the front "boob straps" and it stays on just fine.

For shorter rides under 1.5 hours, I prefer water bottles. Just personal preference - I don't tend to like stuff on my back. I have to admit though, the Rocket is darn comfortable and unobtrusive.

I also pull out the Rocket's bladder (huh...now there's an image) and stuff it into the seat bag of my recumbent on my recumbent days.

bladder holds 72oz, btw. Wide mouth, easy to clean, very convenient.

-j

[DoubleLori]

I will be getting a recumbent soon, so I was wondering how that worked with a Camelbak. Do any of the recumbents have Camelbak pockets built into the seat? I drink a lot of water, sometimes 3-4 Camelbaksful on long rides like centuries. I've got 4 Camelbaks and a couple of extra bladders so I'm set if I can just find somewhere to put the bladder(s).

[Irulan]

fanny pack turned forward?