Are hydration systems allowed in tdf? or are they not used cuz they weigh too much?

Are hydration systems allowed in tdf? or are they not used cuz they weigh too much?

I'd love to see them chucking the hydration packs into the ditches and crowds when they get ready to sprint or climb!

When you have domestiques fetching fresh bottles for you throughout the stage, why strap on a CamelPak?

maybe to pedal smoother???

I guess taking a break to sit up and have a drink is relaxing?

godspiral.... Sorry, I wasn't trying to sound dismissive of your question. The image just kind of struck me as humorous.

There are a lot of roadies who wear CamelBaks and hydryation packs, but I'm not sure racing with one on is something that is done. Perhaps someone who races can tell us it this is done in competition, or even if hydration paks are allowed in mass start racing....

Are hydration systems allowed in tdf? or are they not used cuz they weigh too much?

In 2004 a couple of riders used them in a TT, I believe Jullich used one in a single stage. The weight is an issue, but on a hot day with difficulties in getting water, it may be worth the bulk.

In years past I have seen some with camelbacks on. I seem to remember the riders wearing them under their jerseys, so those with a camelback seemed to have a distinctive hump on their back where it was resting under their jerseys. Probably no less aerodynamic than having a waterbottle in the holder, just harder to discard...

I don't race, but there are lots of reasons I can think of why racers wouldn't want to carry a CamelBak. The main ones are probably that hydration packs increase aerodynamic drag and reduce cooling efficiency, and the chest straps can interfere with breathing. And why would a racer need to carry 70+ oz of fluid when the domestiques are there to ferry bottles up?

Its probably not an issue since getting water bottle throughout the race is a non-issue for the most part. As has been mentioned, it can matter in longer time trials. I doubt any of the riders want to wear it going up a mountain either. Plus, once the camelback is empty they're not going to refill it and it would be a pain to disgard during the race. Just easier to deal with bottles.

If their jerseys have logos on them (I don't have cable) I doubt if the sponsors would want their logos covered up.

I have a camelbak and HATE wearing it when I'm on my road bike. It's fine on my mountain bike though. When I'm on my road bike it leaves a big sweaty spot in the middle of my back and is very uncomfortable. I like having the large amount of water...just hate wearing it.

On the mountain bike it's not much of an issue....I think it's because you move around on the bike so much more and sit upright. /shrug

I would think if you wanted to breakaway on a hot day, it'd be good.
A design that wrapped around your neck would seem like a good idea.

too hot, heavy and uncomfortable for road racing

Now maybe he was a humpback, but I could of swore that a racer yesterday, stage 1, was wearing one underneath his jersey (like Julich was experimenting with). It was not bottles stuffed around the neck area, it had the shape of a camelback, and it was a flat stage, so...

Now maybe he was a humpback, but I could of swore that a racer yesterday, stage 1, was wearing one underneath his jersey (like Julich was experimenting with). It was not bottles stuffed around the neck area, it had the shape of a camelback, and it was a flat stage, so...


Pics please.


Might've been Tony Rominger....:D

Now maybe he was a humpback, but I could of swore that a racer yesterday, stage 1, was wearing one underneath his jersey (like Julich was experimenting with). It was not bottles stuffed around the neck area, it had the shape of a camelback, and it was a flat stage, so...

It could have been a radio. Sometimes you see that under the jersey like during a TT.

Aitor Hernández maybe? I thought I saw something weird too......but a search of today's stage photos showed at least one pic of him without any weird humps on his back.

I swear I saw some humps on his back on OLN though....figured it was extra bottles though.

I did find one pic of that "camel-vest" thing mentioned above though.
http://www.radsport-forum.de/images/o/7567.jpg

Aitor Hernández maybe? I thought I saw something weird too......but a search of today's stage photos showed at least one pic of him without any weird humps on his back.

I swear I saw some humps on his back on OLN though....figured it was extra bottles though.

I did find one pic of that "camel-vest" thing mentioned above though.
http://www.radsport-forum.de/images/o/7567.jpg

Well there ya go...

eh, I dont know, I wouldnt ever want to wear something like that, I bet it creates ALOT more drag than necessary on a normal racing setup

I posted this 3 months ago in another thread: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=191465&highlight=julich

Some pros like Bobby Julich will sometimes wear a camelback under his skin suit.

edit: Heres a link
http://www.outdoornewswire.com/v/current/htdocs/etc/sa.php/63617465676f72794c6162656c3d4d746e42696b696e67266c6f636174696f6e3d323030352f30372f313132303636303131 362672737349643d31323433

Another:
http://www.roadcycling.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi/6/1020

and a pic!
http://www.radsport-forum.de/images/o/7567.jpg

An article:
Julich formalizes Camelbak relationship
CSC's Bobby Julich recently signed a deal with hydration system maker Camelbak, putting his use of the company's products on a formal basis. As well as continuing to use the company's RaceVest systemn, Julich will provide R&D testing, giving the company feedback on CamelBak products, and how they can best be developed to fit a road cyclists' needs.

Julich, who is getting a bit of a reputation as a free-thinker with his use of devices like Camelbaks and elliptical chainrings, surprised even Camelbak staff when he turned up at last year's Tour de France using a RaceVest in the team time trial. Camelbak's VP of marketing Sky George told bikebiz.co.uk that he "almost fell off my chair" when he saw footage of the time trial.

However, Camelbak hasn't yet reintroduced the RaceVest, which allowed riders to carry 40oz of water under their jerseys so as not to obscure all-important sponsor logos. It ceased production in 2001. "It was a great product, but one with a very small market," said George.

Julich certainly agrees that hand-free drinking is the way to go for time trials. "Anything that causes you to sit up, out of your most aerodynamic position, could cost you the race," he said. "Being able to simply sip from the hose, situated just under my chin, keeps me in the most efficient position, and not to mention keeps me hydrated."

Back-mounted drinking systems are wildly popular with mountain bikers - the tech desk has lost count of how many muddy mini-backpacks he owns - but road cyclists have always seen them as gimmicky. Maybe Julich's advocacy will change things,and we'll see enough demand for Camelbak to reintroduce the RaceVest or come up with an updated version.

More info: www.camelbak.com
http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2005/news/04-14


P.S I do not use a camelback for road cycling, but use them all the time for backpacking.

For road cycling it would be too hot, and too much weight slooshing around up there

Many times the domestiques will have a hump on their back b/c they stick like 3 or 4 water bottles in their back that they just got from their team car so they can hand them out to their teammates.

Many times the domestiques will have a hump on their back b/c they stick like 3 or 4 water bottles in their back that they just got from their team car so they can hand them out to their teammates.


A good domestique can carry 7 bidons....tough luck if the bunch is humming along at 50kmh!

A good domestique can carry 7 bidons....tough luck if the bunch is humming along at 50kmh!
Unfortunately, we left Europe before I saw the final result, but in the Giro there were several domestiques (gregarii there, I guess :p ) trying to outdo each other in the how many bottles can you carry to your team department. The last number I remember hearing was sixteen, with others vowing to do better.

Anyone have the final result?

strewth....I thought Steve Hodge carrying 7 in his ONCE days was impressive.

Unfortunately, we left Europe before I saw the final result, but in the Giro there were several domestiques (gregarii there, I guess :p ) trying to outdo each other in the how many bottles can you carry to your team department. The last number I remember hearing was sixteen, with others vowing to do better.

Anyone have the final result?

Why not get a suitcase?

if you have a camelback, you don't need your DS to pass up a bottle, or a coke form the team car, which can give quite a boost. Have you noticed that the DS have very well developed left forearms, compared to their right?

if you have a camelback, you don't need your DS to pass up a bottle, or a coke form the team car, which can give quite a boost. Have you noticed that the DS have very well developed left forearms, compared to their right?


I always love catching the "extra long" bottle snag that gives the riders a little pull by the DS.

Anyone ever hear of a rider getting penalized for this?