Hydration pack

[Kalidurga]

They're heavy and hot and make your center of gravity higher. The straps can chafe.

As far as cleanliness goes though, I'm not sure a hydration pack is any more sanitary than a bottle unless you use a bite valve cover, and those can be pretty unwieldy on the bike. My experience is that the bite valve is always dragging in something, which is why I use a cover.

I use one all the time and have rarely, if ever, experienced any of those issues. And if anyone ever laughed at me for using my Cambelbak, I'm sure I could find something to laugh at them about in return

The Dream is a good one (though Bicycling is silly as usual in their review of it )

And, hey, this is yet another thread about which I should be grumping about the search function. I must be in a good mood today or something

[sundial]

Kalidurga, lol.

[PamNY]

And, hey, this is yet another thread about which I should be grumping about the search function. I must be in a good mood today or something

I did search; found discussion of hydration packs but didn't find specifically what I asked.

Besides, no opportunity to use the term "Belgian toothpaste" should be missed.

Pam

[Kalidurga]

I did search; found discussion of hydration packs but didn't find specifically what I asked.

Besides, no opportunity to use the term "Belgian toothpaste" should be missed

Very good point. Any post with multiple usages of the word "poop" is a post worth reading.

(And I'm not being snide, that's become one of my favorite words lately )

[Duck on Wheels]

I need to drink a LOT (due to no longer having a large intestine). So on long rides I use a 3-liter hydration pack with water and 2 large bottles of sports drink. I sip from the hydration pack constantly, then from the bottles any time I stop, however briefly. I can probably get through 2 full packs plus 2-4 bottles in a long day's ride. If I were using only bottles I wouldn't drink enough because, though I can do it, I don't feel all that confident at swiping a bottle up off the frame while riding. So for me, no choice. But yes, you have to be careful choosing a pack to avoid chafing, and yes it adds top weight and reduces the cooling effect of evaporation off your back. (btw, Trek, the pack worked fine on Saturday's ride -- no kinks, no drips, kept the water cool enough.)

[Righteousbabe]

For short training rides (~20miles), I only use two polar bottles with water (cooler temps) or electrolyte enhanced water (hotter temps). For my longer rides on the weekends (40-65 miles), I use a small to medium hydration pack. I live in Texas, and in the hotter months I cannot keep myself hydrated using just two polar bottles. When I use a hydration pack, I keep my sports drink in the polar bottles, and I sip on them over the course of the ride. I find that I drink more regularly if I use a hydration pack because it is easier to sip. I do not find that it makes a big difference as far as body heat goes...but that is probably because I am used to it. I was a mountain biker originally, and they are essential.

Oh...and as far as other riders making fun of it...who really cares. Keeping hydrated should be a priority, and if a hydration pack makes it easier to do that, then how could it be a bad thing? Anyway...those are the same people I see year after year on the 100k local rides during the summer, or at Hotter 'n Hell, who are having to end their ride/SAG in and/or seek medical attention because they are dehydrated. If you are not racing, and aerodynamics are not an issue, then there is really nothing wrong with using a hydration pack.

[Cataboo]

The Deuter Race EXP Air Pack is on steepandcheap right now, I like it because it's held off your back and your back doesn't get as sweaty with it.- you can see a picture of the meshback on it.

[Cataboo]

ooops, it just switched to keens.