General Cycling Discussion - Generic Brand HydroPack and Pump

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA

View Full Version : Generic Brand HydroPack and Pump

AquariaGuy
07-02-03, 07:10 AM
Is it bad to buy the "no name" brand pack and pump? At Canadian Tire they are selling them for way cheaper, and the pack has pockets. The "material" in the reservoir isn't worst or nething is it? It has more pockets than the $45 packs. What about the pump, is it going to take FOREVER to pump a wheel or something?

Thanks for your help.

froze
07-03-03, 01:22 AM
Not sure about this stuff without seeing it. But CamelBack makes a little 70oz thing called the Rogue for about $45. I do know that Camelbacks are very rugged and met US military standards so the military could use them. Plus you can get replacement parts anywhere.

The pump issue is another problem, a cheap pump can fail pretty quickly, and you don't want that out in the middle of nowhere. Torelli makes a real strong (pump up to 100psi) well built very small (6 inches) lightweight (65grms) mini for about $12 in Colorado Cyclist. I have one so I can attest to their workmanship. But it is a mini and will require about 180 pumps to get the tire up to 90-100PSI. (I use Specialize Armadillo tires so flats are not an issue anymore thus pumping is not an issue either). This pump can fit in your seatbag, jersey pocket or attach next to your water bottle cage.

If you need more air pressure Blackburn AS-1 AirStick will pump a lot faster and will pump up to 160psi but is about 11 inches long and weighs about 145grams and cost about $20

So there you have it, a name brand water system plus a high quality pump for only $12 more than that cheaper combo special with unknown brands.
PrimalQ
07-03-03, 12:16 PM
The only gotcha on the no name Packs is that they usually have a very small resovoir opening, Usually just enough to get a faucet into the opening. Now with the Camelbacks they have Wide mouth openings so you can get Ice and any Powders into the the bladder easily. If that is not a big deal to you and you plan ahead and freeze half the liquid the night before then the No Name might be OK for you. I 'm never that organized so it wouldn't work for me. ;)

The Terminator
07-03-03, 07:33 PM
You can also go to http://www.cascadedesigns.com/platypus/ They sell bladders and setups to convert any pack into a hydration unit. They start at around $25.00 Best -