General Cycling Discussion - Camelbak users

I bought the Camelbak Rocket, the one with the exo-skeleton that allows the bag to be kept off the back. I just have some problems filling it up, they say that you can tilt the exo-skeleton backwards and you can fill it up easily. However it is still quite tough. I usually have to get it out halfway to fill it up completely. Anyone using the same product? What is the right way to fill up the reservoir?

Anyone uses any other version getting a weird taste in your first few rides? I do, and have used it for 2 rides so far. How was yours? Also, how do you guys clean it and using what to clean it?

I can't answer your question on filling your bag I have one that I remove the bag to fill. As for the taste new plastic always seems to have this funk smell and taste to it. I don't like busing bleach in my bag because of the chance of inhailing chlorine fumes.so I am old school and use a solution of hot water and baking soda followed by a rinsing in white vinegar and then a good rinsing with warm water and let dry. If you rinse it well there is no after taste in your water. And if you are not already doing it I recommend using filtered water whenever possible.

Originally posted by oxologic
I bought the Camelbak Rocket, the one with the exo-skeleton that allows the bag to be kept off the back. I just have some problems filling it up, they say that you can tilt the exo-skeleton backwards and you can fill it up easily. However it is still quite tough. I usually have to get it out halfway to fill it up completely. Anyone using the same product? What is the right way to fill up the reservoir?

Anyone uses any other version getting a weird taste in your first few rides? I do, and have used it for 2 rides so far. How was yours? Also, how do you guys clean it and using what to clean it?


It sounds like you need a deeper sink....it really cant be that hard.

Oh I think I get it, I have to place it vertically to fill it up with water. I thought that it was possible by placing it vertically. Yeah, so I'll just do that.

Anyway, about the taste, does baking soda add to any taste too? I haven't tried cleaning it as yet, only leaving it to dry. How do you guys let it dry?

A quick rinse with Jack Daniels, pre-ride, will get rid of any funky taste.

You could try putting some "pure lime" in it, mixed with some water and let it soak. But than you might get a lemon sour taste for a few rides :P I just put water full, and froze it. I did this twice, and after the weird taste was gone.

Originally posted by 165-48:17
A quick rinse with Jack Daniels, pre-ride, will get rid of any funky taste.

Tequilla works too!

:beer:

Originally posted by AquariaGuy
You could try putting some "pure lime" in it, mixed with some water and let it soak. But than you might get a lemon sour taste for a few rides :P I just put water full, and froze it. I did this twice, and after the weird taste was gone.

Will it spoil the camelbak?

I don't like that new bladder taste either. What I do is just fill it up with water and replace the water twice a day for a few days. It gets most of that funky taste out.

I do think that Jack Daniels rinse idea does have merit.

I suppose you could modify that by squirting a little lemon juice into the bag to mask that funky taste or anything else with a strong flavor that you like that you can think of.

Originally posted by 165-48:17
A quick rinse with Jack Daniels, pre-ride, will get rid of any funky taste.

So Jack Daniels is actually useful for something!

--J

vinegar and lemon (or lime) juice will acomplish the same thing lemon juice is probably better because it will give the water a freher taste. But the are natural cleansers they will clean out that funky taste.

Originally posted by Juha
So Jack Daniels is actually useful for something!

--J

Well you wouldn't want to waste decent whiskey with cleaning ;)