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