Camelbaks - are they worth it?

[Pyannyplayer]

I just bought a pink "Charm" camelbak to use with my road bike and LOVE IT! It has extra padding on the back so I don't notice the weight nor the sweat. I love being able to get a drink while riding without any problems (I could never get my water bottle in and out without "weaving"). I put ice and water in it and carry a water bottle of gatorade in the bottle cage (for when we stop). This camelbak has the little pocket which is the PERFECT size for two bars and my keys. Also has an elastic "thingy" to hold a jacket or whatever. I also thought the water tasted fine (sometimes it seems like things like this can, well, make water taste HORRIBLE).

My husband has one as well - no, not pink his is red - and he loves his for his road bike as well. We both have hybrids (our LBS calls them "bike SUVs") and don't use the camelbaks when we ride them.

Lorie

[Kitsune06]

What a coincidence this topic be up when I signed in this evening!

I'm a CB freak. I love the things- for some reason, when I was young and they first came out, the concept of a soft container for fluids blew my mind.

I have two, one waist-pack 45 ouncer, and a Hydrapak Ammo. The original Hydrapak bag died on me (water started seeping out the silver fabric back for some reason) so I just retrofitted it with a 70 oz Omega reservoir, and while I had it all apart, I installed one of those caps to keep the nozzle clean and cleaned out the 'hydrolock'.

I won't ride without mine... It's just too handy for holding things, carrying all the water you'll need (gatorade or cytomax in a bottle, set aside), and whatever else.

I've already crashed along the trail hard enough to rupture a bladder- and the fact that I ruptured it makes me wonder what kind of damage would have been done to *me* had I not had it.

That all said, I mtb, so I'm not sure about roadies...

[love2bike]

Thanks again for all the advice - It looks like they haven't changed the screw top, thanks for making me aware of the problem.
We found our gift card to Bass Pro Shop and bought 3 - My husband bought the MULE, and I bought 2 small (50 ltr) CB's for our 8 year old and I. They were $15! Unfortunately, they had no WSD packs, so I'm going to see how I like the small one, and then wait for a sale at REI to come up.

My son and I had our CBs loaded and in the freezer for a ride today, but the clouds and lightening are coming our way.....so we're postponing until tomorrow.

Lorie - your LBS is right; hybrids are the new bike version of SUVs!

Patty

[Nanci]

Kitsune-

Wow, you must have really landed hard to rupture the bladder! I have landed on mine, on my back, countless times with no problem. (It's nice cushioning!)

Nanci

[Kitsune06]

Kitsune-

Wow, you must have really landed hard to rupture the bladder! I have landed on mine, on my back, countless times with no problem. (It's nice cushioning!)

Nanci

I don't think it was so much how hard I landed as the way I landed- I managed to position myself with a log just above my kidneys. (thankfully?) it was early in the ride, so the pack was full... but that probably lended itself to the rupture... I doubt it would have had the bladder been less full.

[emily_in_nc]

I have one of the smaller Camelbak waist packs that seem to always be on sale; I guess because not many people use a waist pack. I think it only holds 45 oz, but for most rides, that's plenty for me, and I can always take a water bottle for Gator-aid or whatever if I think I'll need more. I love my waist pack! It has a zip pocket for those all-important Payday bars (and my cell phone), but that's it for storage. It feels heavy when you first put it on, but once on the bike, I never even notice it. And it's a lot cooler than a backpack-type Camelbak (important here in the steamy southeast), with no strap irritation.

For hiking I have a REI WSD hydration day pack (regular shoulder strap model) and love it, but it would be too bulky (for me) on a bike. It has a 70 oz. bladder.

Emily

[Geonz]

I remember reading somewhere that a fair number of people have had falls broken nicely with camelbaks (road and mountain). Hoping I never have to!