Camelbaks - are they worth it?

[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!