General Cycling Discussion - Question about Camelbak Hydration Pack when Cycling

I was cycling today with my hydration pack for the first time. Not sure if this fits the cycling forum though, but I seem to be very confused with the pack.

Every time I put water in the pack, it somehow seemed to disappear by the time I took a sip. Now this doesn't seem to make any sense because I would have felt the water come out.

The other negative thing about the hydropack was that it has a little cap on it. I did end up taking this cap off. The reason is because it is too cumbersome to put back on. You have to wiggle it around several of times and how can i do that when cycling?

And lastly this hydropack seems to make a mess. Every time I fill it with water and close it, it's really hard to keep the water from flowing outwards and close it at the same time.

So all in all I was really frustrated when using this thing. It came with virtually no instructions.

Which hydration pack do you have? I have one of their milgrade hydration packs and I have NEVER had a problem filling it, closing it, or having the water "disappear" from it or using what I can only presume from your description is the big bite valve cover.



I was cycling today with my hydration pack for the first time. Not sure if this fits the cycling forum though, but I seem to be very confused with the pack.

Every time I put water in the pack, it somehow seemed to disappear by the time I took a sip. Now this doesn't seem to make any sense because I would have felt the water come out.

The other negative thing about the hydropack was that it has a little cap on it. I did end up taking this cap off. The reason is because it is too cumbersome to put back on. You have to wiggle it around several of times and how can i do that when cycling?

And lastly this hydropack seems to make a mess. Every time I fill it with water and close it, it's really hard to keep the water from flowing outwards and close it at the same time.

So all in all I was really frustrated when using this thing. It came with virtually no instructions.

the water is probably still there. you need to get the air out or that is all you will suck

The other negative thing about the hydropack was that it has a little cap on it. I did end up taking this cap off. The reason is because it is too cumbersome to put back on. You have to wiggle it around several of times and how can i do that when cycling?

And lastly this hydropack seems to make a mess. Every time I fill it with water and close it, it's really hard to keep the water from flowing outwards and close it at the same time.
1. Remove the bladder from the pack.
2. Remove the cap and fill with bladder with water.
3. Replace the cap so the water won't make a mess.
4. Place the filled bladder back in the pack. Make sure there are no kinks or twists in the hose.
5. Enjoy drinking while riding.

The other negative thing about the hydropack was that it has a little cap on it. I did end up taking this cap off. The reason is because it is too cumbersome to put back on. You have to wiggle it around several of times and how can i do that when cycling?

And lastly this hydropack seems to make a mess. Every time I fill it with water and close it, it's really hard to keep the water from flowing outwards and close it at the same time.
1. Remove the bladder from the pack.
2. Remove the cap and fill with bladder with water.
3. Replace the cap so the water won't make a mess.
4. Place the filled bladder back in the pack. Make sure there are no kinks or twists in the hose.
5. Enjoy drinking while riding.

Depending on the style of the cap your suggestion isn't going to work. Mine for example.

The opening sticks out of the pack and the cap has a plastic retaining band. If I did as you suggest I'd spill water all over the place.

CamelBak makes a number of hydration packs like this.

You DO know that you're supposed to bight down on the cap on the end of the tube to get the water out.


Right?

You DO know that you're supposed to bight down on the cap on the end of the tube to get the water out.


Right?

I think I'd PAY to read the OP's review on a bicycle! Haven't seen one of those come with instructions yet either.

There is a slit in the blue or black cap on the end of the tubing. The slit needs to be opened up before using the bladder the first time. Then you just bite down on the cap and it opens the slit so you can suck water out. If you took this cap off then you are likely just loosing the water out the tube as you ride.

The bladder needs to be placed in the camelbak with the tubing at the bottom and the fill port at the top, otherwise you will suck air until all the air is out of the bladder. Then you have to suck harder to get any water, since you do not have water pressure helping push the water into the tube.

After filling the bladder 3/4 full, hold the bladder upright (fillcap portion up) and screw the cap on.

You DO know that you're supposed to bight down on the cap on the end of the tube to get the water out.


Right?


No. Im supposed to bite it to get water out? I just took it off cuz it was bothersome

No. Im supposed to bite it to get water out? I just took it off cuz it was bothersome

If you take the bite valve off, you'll just create a siphon that will empty the bladder. The bite valve is just that...a valve. To paraphrase the fabulous Lauren Bacall: You do know how to bit, don't you. Just put it between your teeth and bite (and suck);)

If you take the bite valve off, you'll just create a siphon that will empty the bladder. The bite valve is just that...a valve. To paraphrase the fabulous Lauren Bacall: You do know how to bit, don't you. Just put it between your teeth and bite (and suck);)


the water comes out with that blocking it?

the water comes out with that blocking it?

The bite valve is split. When you bite it, it opens and lets water flow. When you release it, the valve closes. Squeeze the valve with your fingers and see how it works.

Sometimes the operation is not as intuitive as we think. I bought my wife one of those right angle attachments for her Camelbak with a shutoff valve, so that it doesn't leak if you accidentally set the pack down on the bit valve. She complained to me that the new valve was a hassle to use. She didn't realize the existing bite valve was supposed to go onto the new one.

The troll is strong on this one!