My Vanity and Pretty Tacx Bottle Cages

[ZenSojourner]

Have you ever used one? I'm not sure what sort of discomfort you fear, but I've never had any.

At any rate, for those of us who's properly configured bike frames don't allow easy access to water bottles, a camelback is a wonderful thing. Also, I've found since switching to a camelback I drink more frequently. I actually don't use the camelback brand, my first one was a camelback, but the ones I'm using now have velcro closures instead of the narrow opening on the camelback, basically I can clean it much more easily. It's open all the way across the top, then you velcro it closed and roll it up kind of like a dry bag. I have 2 sizes, one as big as I could get for those 50 to 75 mile rides, and a smaller one for short rides/commuting.

If you don't like 'em, don't use 'em, but don't dismiss it out of hand for everyone. My camelback means I can ride with one to no bottles, still have my frame pump, and not have to worry about dehydrating. I literally do not notice it up there on my back. And I ride in some heat, over 100 on blacktop.

Otherwise I'd have to carry water in my panniers and stop to get a drink, because I only have room for one small water bottle on my short-person, small-frame bike. And it's hard to get in and out while riding.

I'm awful glad I don't have to try to manage with "traditional" water bottles.

[sundial]

All Camelbaks are not created equal. Some do sit wrong on the back, or the straps dig into the shoulder, or what have you. I have one and use it occasionally--even on my mtb. I usually carry water bottles.

[ZenSojourner]

Just like a bike seat, or a whole bike for that matter - find one that fits YOU.

[MartianDestiny]

I swear by my camelbak on the mountain bike.

Thought I wouldn't care on the road bike. WRONG. I didn't care when I rode with it, but then I rode without it. Huge difference. I still wear it on the mountain bike (only reasonable way to keep the amounts of water, food, first aid, and bike tools I need on a mtn. ride with me) but not again on the roadie (unless it's a crazy long, unassisted, leisurely ride).

I have XS, sloping top tube frames. I've still managed to get two full sized bottles on them (side loading cages are my friend). I do have to switch the seattube bottle to the downtube cage to use it, but I haven't found that to be a big deal.

I can see how a bike any smaller than mine would relegate someone to smaller bottles, which could necessitate alternative means of hydration on longer rides. Not many bikes are smaller than mine though! The OP could, if she chose, go to side loaders and run full size (or very nearly) in both cages. I can see why she wouldn't want to though with the awesome matching job she's done.

Camelbaks work for some applications, but they aren't the end all and be all some try to make them out to be. Certainly they have their drawbacks.

[Eden]

Not sure why you are so defensive.... I never said they were bad for everyone, they just aren't the end all and be all solution for everyone. Personally I have a bad shoulder and any strap, even on a light, well supported backpack would bother me pretty quickly. I also race and would not be able to use one then even if I wanted to, so I need to be able to use my bottle cages.

There's nothing wrong with them. It's good that a camelback works for you, but its not really "nuff said", some of us do need to use bottle cages and need to talk about solutions using them.

[ZenSojourner]

" 'Nuff said" was intended to be humorous, not whatever you seem to think it was. Which I frankly can't quite figure out.

Interesting that you characterize me explaining my point of view as "defensive". LOL!

Like I said, if it doesn't work for you, don't use it - and I know from shoulder pain, I'm still recovering from frozen shoulder and don't have full range of motion in that shoulder, probably never will again.

Between the bad shoulder on the left, and the bad elbow on the right, I just don't want to be struggling with getting a water bottle in and out of a cage with next to no clearance, LOL!

All I'm saying is that a camelback-style hydration system is an option. And again, if it doesn't work for you, that's a shame, nobody says you have to use it after all. It all depends on your motivation to try something new and different, which is probably lacking if you have enough room on your bike to fit a couple of full size bottles, and the mobility to feel comfortable reaching around to snag them.

For me, the camelback gives me all the water I need for even long rides, leaving the frame mounted water bottle for gatorade. So when I stop, I can wriggle the water bottle out and have some alternate hydration to go with my peanut butter crackers, raisins, or dates, and still have easy access to water while I ride.

[canonsue]

I use a camelbak with my mountain bike, but have not ridden my new road bike enough to see if I would like it or not. However, I think for very long rides and touring it probably is a good idea for me.

I will say that last time I backpacked it was great to not have to take off the pack to find my water bottle. (oops, wrong forum)

-Sue

[sundial]

" 'Nuff said" was intended to be humorous, not whatever you seem to think it was. Interesting that you characterize me explaining my point of view as "defensive". LOL!

It can come across wrong, and it was a little unsettling for me. Impressions are limited to typed replies.

I do enjoy my Camelbak and it does fit. I start wearing it on the road bike during long rides when temps are above 90 so that I don't get too dehydrated. I also use it on the mtb, but lately my preferences have shifted to bottle cages.