Camelbak Question

[wackyjacky1]

Tons of great info -- thanks everyone!

Well, I think I might try a regular ol' Camelbak after all. If I don't like it for cycling, I'm sure it would come in handy for hiking and other activities. I think my latest Nashbar catalog had some good prices on them...

[Geonz]

I just keep draining (drinking) and refilling my CamelBak... figure the chlorinated water will do its disinfecting thing.

[csr1210]

Love my camelbak. The first couple of rides, the weight (all of three pounds) really bothered me, but after three or four rides, I became used to it. I freeze "half logs" of ice using crystal lite canisters on their sides in the freeze. Two of these fit nicely in the camelbak, are easy to get in the thing, and the things really do stay cold a long time.

Last weekend, after riding almost two hours, I opened my husband's to refill (while still on his back). Well it still had more water and ice left than he thought, and he got doused with ice water down his back!. He let out a shriek and pulled away while I was yelling for him to lean back down so I could close it. I was laughing so hard, I could barely get the thing sealed back up! (I did feel bad, but it was funny AND an accident).

One other thing -- If you live anywhere hot, you don't want a longer tube - the water in it gets hot-blech. I usually press my bite valve and dribble the first mouthful's worth on my body, and drink after it gets cold. I know it wastes a little water, but I get the benefit of a brief little shower to cool me off and don't have that first mouthful of warm water, so it works for me.

Good luck with the search.
Christy

[Blueberry]

One other thing -- If you live anywhere hot, you don't want a longer tube - the water in it gets hot-blech. I usually press my bite valve and dribble the first mouthful's worth on my body, and drink after it gets cold. I know it wastes a little water, but I get the benefit of a brief little shower to cool me off and don't have that first mouthful of warm water, so it works for me.

You can also blow back in the tube after you drink - no water in the tube. Works in freezing weather too

CA

[newfsmith]

Everyone is different. I've tried 3 different back-pack hydration systems ( 1 Vaude and 2 Camel-bak) but all of them chafed my neck and made my shoulders hurt (I've had adhesive capsulitis in both shoulders). Since I like constant sipping, and the ability to keep my hands on the bars while drinking I first tried carrying my water in my handlebar bag, but now I carry a 50 oz bladder in a large fanny-pack that also has room for my jacket and lunch. The hose is attached to my jersey with a retractable name tag holder I got at Staples, so it is never loose. I've also seen people rubber band the hose to the chin strap of their helmet. You can get extra long hoses for camel-baks, I think 44 inches. If your top tube is long enough, some tourists hang a 70 to 100 oz bladder there & use velcro ties to hold the tube in place, run it up the stem then use the positioning tubes to hold the bite valve several inches above the handlebars. On your back is not your only option for a hydration bladder by any means. Experiment with what works best for you.