Mountain Biking - I am a heavy drinker

Do you guys know of any water bottle cages that can hold a goodsize bottle like a 32 oz powerade or something? Just got my new bike

Grab a camelback type system. rei.com has some in the clearance section. I bought 70oz. High Sierra model and wish I would have gone ahead and gotten 100oz. Plus you can take tubes, a few tools and first aid stuff in the pack. I know the out of pocket is substantially more than a water bottle, but the overall usefullness is immense. I tried stuffing a 32oz. powerade into a standard bottle cage. I made it work, but the cage was never the same.

I don't know where you, but I have learned it is better to have extra water than run out on a bad day.

Great idea! Thanks! Now I'm trying to figure if I should get the compact 100 oz or the larger one so I can carry stuff...you have any preference?

I like carrying stuff. And then I try to stay light. A good multi tools tube, patches, frame pump and first aid stuff. Based on my experience of falls I take some eye wash, little bottle, a few 4" gauze patches with some athletic tape and bandaids. I also like having room for a couple energy bars. Another positive with a pack is that you can hike around off the trail and you water is always with you.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=4962

Or you could do it vintage-British-motorcycle style - - y'know, how the frame used to be the oil tank? Seal up any voids, add a fill spigot and a hose barb to the top tube, a drain petcock to the bottom bracket shell and fill 'er up.

Camelbak for the win, I usually ride with camelbak + bottle on frame. This time of year I can get away with just the bottle on most short rides being that its not warm out, but I usually drink it all.

Topeak makes a Modula™ Cage XL that takes 1-1.5 liter bottles. Problem is - thats not a practical size to drink from while riding one-handed! So I agree with the Camelback suggestions and also use a Profile Design Aqua Duo that mounts behind the seatpost.

I carry a 24 oz (tall) water bottle in both my on frame cages. I also carry two 16 oz bottles in the outside pockets of the small hiking pack I wear. That is 80 oz of water and plenty of room in my small pack for lunch, tools, tubes, extra shirt, jacket, socks, and camera. I can last about 4 hours in 90+ degree conditions with that combination.

I had the pack from old hiking days and the water bottles are my standard road bike bottles.

Total cost $0.00 compared to the $100+ hydration systems I looked at.

I carry a 24 oz (tall) water bottle in both my on frame cages. I also carry two 16 oz bottles in the outside pockets of the small hiking pack I wear. That is 80 oz of water and plenty of room in my small pack for lunch, tools, tubes, extra shirt, jacket, socks, and camera. I can last about 4 hours in 90+ degree conditions with that combination.

I had the pack from old hiking days and the water bottles are my standard road bike bottles.

Total cost $0.00 compared to the $100+ hydration systems I looked at.
You need an extra shirt and jacket in 90+ degree weather?

You can carry a 32oz powerade just by spreading an aluminum bottle cage a bit. They tend to eject in the rough stuff though.

There are also these options:

http://topeak.com/products/Bottle-Cages/ModulaCageXL

www.minourausa.com/english/accessory-e/ab1600-e.html

I've heard the Minoura is better but haven't personally tried them

You need an extra shirt and jacket in 90+ degree weather?

Sometimes it is not 90 degrees

You can carry a 32oz powerade just by spreading an aluminum bottle cage a bit. They tend to eject in the rough stuff though.

Mini bungee cords are great for holding them in. :thumb:

I recently picked up a 100z Mule Camelbak. It was a large investment for a backpack ($92ish after tax) compared to some of the cheaper options, but so far I have been really satisfied with it. I wear regular shorts for riding so I always have my regular stuff in the pockets (which also includes basic gear like lighter, knife, multitool, flashlight). In the Mule I carry basically the next step up, including a ponco and some basic toiletries and stuff**. I haven't actually ridden with the bladder, but I have tried it all out and there is a good amount of room for 100oz of water + a day's worth of supplies, especially provided you go in dressed for the weather. Basically, if I ended up getting stuck out all night I could still make it through dry (rain suit), warm (couple of lighters), hydrated (100oz, plus the 27 in my bottle on the bike), and decently fed.


**The camelbak is also the bag I take everywhere with me. That is why it has a toothbrush / paste, deodorant, etc. It recently took on duty as my daily-carry bag, but so far several items inside have proven useful. I carry a folding fork / knife / spoon pocket knife set in there and I have used that a few times for lunch at work when I've forgotten silverware :P .

But, I would DEFINITELY recommend one of the mid-sized ones. If you don't need to carry anything, they aren't any heaver than the bladder-only setups (and we aren't all that concerned with aerodynamics on MTBs). However, they are small enough that they can be comfortably worn on the front for bikepacking, when you have your primary pack on your back. I have wandered around like this comfortably, and in the next few weeks will be taking my first bikepacking trip. Will be able to keep the essentials on my chest (water, basic gear), and the secondaries on my back (food and shelter mostly). But again, if needed, I think I could comfortably (within reason) stay a night out somewhere with just the camelbak.

I carry a 24 oz (tall) water bottle in both my on frame cages. I also carry two 16 oz bottles in the outside pockets of the small hiking pack I wear. . . . .I bungee corded an old Preston Petty Desert Tank that I got at a motorcycle salvage yard to my top tube. It's great: large fill spout and a built-in petcock that a camelbak hose shoves right onto. Sucker holds 5 gallons. Water tastes a little funny but, hey, hydration is hydration, right?

32 oz gatorades upside down in aluminum cages too. I've had to circle back for WAY too many of those!

I need baby bungees!!!! ;)

You need an extra shirt and jacket in 90+ degree weather?
I pack big-time for our high-country rides.
The day may begin around 60f, then turn drizzly & in the 40s at 12,000', then hit 90f when we've reached the car later in the afternoon.

Get a larger pack - you may not always fill it, but when you need to, the space will be there.


I need baby bungees!!!! ;)
Your local hardware shop should have'em....I got a jar full at HomeDepot.

Look for sales and CL. I picked up a 100oz bladder on it's own from Eddie Bauer(spelling?) for ~$15 on clearance. Checked CL to find a pack for it and there was a guy selling a totally decent 100oz backpack with extra cargo pockets and no bladder(his split) for $10. I know it was probably a lucky coincidence, but I ended up with a decent pack and new 100oz bladder for $25 that way. Something to look into at least. CL can be great sometimes.

I pack big-time for our high-country rides.
The day may begin around 60f, then turn drizzly & in the 40s at 12,000', then hit 90f when we've reached the car later in the afternoon.

I've been on a couple of crazy rides that started at 30° F and hit damn near 100° then dropped back down a bit.

On one of those I ran low on water. :( I had two big bottles in my cages and a 1-litre in a trunk bag. 1-litre split and leaked so I was huffin' dust for miles 'til I got back to civilization. Navajo preacher dude hooked me up with some water (reassuring me that it was city water) and some hominy casserole.

wow thanks everyone...i'm going to check out a few of those cages but i'm pretty sure a mule is in my near future..i can't wait :)

Here are a couple closeout deals at REI. They have free shipping this month. Might be for members only, or they can drop ship to a local store. See if something looks good to you. And remember, if you don't post pictures you will flat often!

http://www.rei.com/product/835860/the-north-face-klamath-8-hydration-pack-70-fl-oz-2011-closeout

http://www.rei.com/product/837266/camelbak-charge-450-hydration-pack-100-fl-oz-2011-closeout

I pack big-time for our high-country rides.
The day may begin around 60f, then turn drizzly & in the 40s at 12,000', then hit 90f when we've reached the car later in the afternoon. ....

That would explain things a little! No such variation in my day trips - neither in temperature nor elevation! Have lots of bags already but don't go loaded unless travelling outside the city. Lots of pit-stops around to refuel at locally.

One thing I did find useful on really hot days here was riding with an insulated Camelback that I normally used for skiing. Frozen solid, that still has ice on it after 4 hours and the insulation keeps it from freezing your back while still letting enough cold escape to have a comfortable cooling effect.

Yeah, but do you sweat like a pig or piss like a racehorse?

I blame you guys, I've been following this thread and ordered the 70oz camelbak velojersey last night.

go on a diet; then you'll be a light drinker.
okok... f'realz...

get the biggest bladder you can find, because...

*spoiler alert!*

you don't have to fill it completely full, but it's nice to have if you ever need it. also, blow air into the bladder, then hold the area where the tube attaches to the bladder up and suck all of the air out of the tube & bladder. no sloshing sound + less space being taken up.
also, get one with room for tool kit, tube, etc. maybe 1 shirt inside the bag. most of them have bungees on the outside in case you need to strap a jacket to it or something.

I blame you guys, I've been following this thread and ordered the 70oz camelbak velojersey last night.

Be sure to wear an assos jersey, your camelbak and unshaven legs while road training... This will drive the roadies insane and if you spot one who has "blown up" make sure to pass them. :)