Peter_C

Ok, thinking about a 'CamelBak' for my Bike. Trying to weigh out the Pros and Cons...

I only have a mount for one water bottle. I can carry another bottle in my rack bag, but then do not have as much room for my other junk.

They make these zip-tie type brackets so you can add water bottle mounts to other places ~ but am wondering if that is really the best way to go? If you use plain water bottles, the water gets too warm, too fast. If you get the insulated ones, you don't carry as much water (I don't need *cold* water, just not body-temp water) Plus, 2-3 bottles is bout the max I could carry.

If I got a CamelBak - I would *NOT* want it on my back! There was a thread in the 'touring' forum about a way to mount a CamelBak to the bike?? Does anyone have thoughts about this?

I know a lot of folks have been talking about CamelBaks - so was hoping to start one thread about them - good, bad - stuff we might be missing?

If you mount one so it hangs from your top-tube, can you even drink from it while riding? How much sucking do you have to do to even get water uphill from the bag to your mouth?

And so on... Help??

canopus 

From another thread...
They used to sell nice water bottle socks, now you just have to make your own.

Been doing this since 1983....

Fastflyingasian

could always go half way. i load my bottles up with ice before i take off. it stays cold in the beginning and in about in a hour you will have cool water. i figure in a couple to a few hours into the ride i could care less what im drinking even if it was pond water. but until then i like having cool to cold water.

DoubleTap

I'm interested to hear the ideas, because I'm having similar water challenges, although more related to volume than temperature. In riding longer distances, I carry two water bottles with HEED in them, so I also like to carry plain water. I am using my Camelbak on my back for now, but it is uncomfortable and I'd like to get away from it. But, I don't know how to carry enough water without it.

Regarding temperature, being in Colorado, I don't have much of an issue with that. Even on 90 degree days, I find that if I start with two bottles that have been refrigerated overnight, they are cool enough to drink for 3-4 hours. After that, I don't know because I have to find a stop-n-rob for refills anyway. In four hours, I usually drink two bottles of HEED and about 30-40 ozs. of Camelbak water. If I ride longer, I have to refill somewhere along the route.

For the Camelbak, I think it would be easy to drink from a mounted position as long as you can mount it with the bottom of the bladder down. The tube connects at the bottom of the bladder, so as long as it is situated so the water is always at the bottom, it doesn't take much effort to drink. I've had mine laying on the floor of my truck before and was still able to take a drink (on the ride home). I have no issues with my Camelbak other than sweating on my back. Keep it clean, hang it to dry when not in use, and it works great. I also use mine to carry keys, Blackberry, wallet, etc. I'm not really comfortable carrying those in my jersey pockets, and my seat bag is full. My daughter has a small one, holds about 30 ozs. or so, and I think it could be mounted. A big one like mine I don't think could be mounted on a bike. It's pretty bulky and would be in the way.

cyclokitty 

I have a tiny Gregory sillicone water bladder pack and it holds a 2 litre bladder that I half fill with ice on hot rides. The pack is stupid light and carries the water bladder high on my back so I never notice it on my rides. The tube even came with a handy magnetic clip to hold it in place on the pack straps. I never fill the bladder with flavoured drink mixes -- just plain water. The bladder and hose are tough enough to clean and dry that I don't want to add any fungal foods to the task. The Gatorade (yecch) I carry in cheap water bottles and I half freeze them to keep them cold, then toss into my basket.

The pack hasn't made my back clammy and wet yet. I will wear my bike jersey with the Gregory pack and the back of the pack and the straps are made from mesh and very light, quick drying material.

I saw the camelbak on bike carrying method on the touring forum. I think AdamDZ uses this method on his bike (post #1742). You could ask him about it.

mkadam68

I hate carrying things on my back. Especially in warm weather. So I won't get a camelback that way.

You're getting the wrong bottles, then. My insulated Camelback bottles carry just as much as any other water bottle. 750ml for the large ones, 500ml for the smaller ones.

CPFITNESS

How come nobody freezes their water? When I play baseball doubleheaders on 90 degree days I freeze a gallon of water and let it melt. By the time you start needing water enough will have melted and of course prehydration is a must.

dscheidt

Have you ever ridden a bike in hot weather? If I froze bottles, I'd die of dehydration before I could drink them.

CPFITNESS

If you get that thirsty that fast you didn't drink enough before you started your ride. It melts pretty quickly. If anything on an average temp day in the 70s you may find it doesn't melt fast enough but then you don't have to freeze it solid.

Peter_C

I am more about water volume as well. As for the temp - cool is nice, just not warm.

Does anyone have anything *bad* to say about CamelBaks? How long is the tube that comes stock? If it was mounted on the bike, would it be long enough to drink from?

Pfishingruven

I like riding with my hydration pack, but I have only been riding a hybrid to this point. I like having the water right there when I need it and it stays ice cold. Plus, I use the bag instead of a pack. I don't even notice it when riding and the bag keeps me cool as well. I will let you know in a few days if I like riding with the hydration pack on my road bike.

Either way, it is really just personal preference and opinions.

Peter_C

You say you use "the bag" - more details please? What bag?

Bingo

I'm looking for a way to mount a second bottle holder on my bike currently, but I'm with some of the others.

I just take a 24oz Aquafina bottle, throw it in the freezer overnight and start out with that. Within about 20-30 minutes here in Fla it's already mostly melted and within an hour to an hour and a half it's pretty much fully melted cold water.

If I could find a way to mount a second bottle I'd be golden!

TrojanHorse

I freeze them too... just freeze one bottle and put ice in the second one.

Or fill them half way and freeze ... then top off before your ride.

Or, get used to drinking lukewarm water, it's not bad for you and it's easier.

DieselDan

Hydration packs, and any other backpack, will not allow for heat to escape off your back.

wild animals

It doesn't matter if I put ice in the water or not... 45 minutes later, it ain't cool anymore and it sure ain't cold! Plus our ice tastes awful so I prefer warm water.

One good thing about throwing water in the rack trunk is you can fill the trunk (or a sack in the trunk) with ice

I've heard of the sock thing before, but the humidity has to be low enough for the water to evaporate. I was told it works best in "The West" because it tends to be less humid here.

Peter, if you end up sticking with bottles in cages, you can get TwoFish attachments that hold a cage onto the frame, and Soma makes a great bottle that is BPA-free, so the water doesn't taste like gnarly plastic (or raise your estrogen or whatever). I don't know if it is wise to freeze them full of water, though, since they aren't very flexible.

Peter_C

Nice Idea, thank you 'Wild Animals'.

joshsc

For those of you looking for another way to mount bottles to your bikes don't forget about mounts like the Profile Designs RM1 or Aquarack. There's also things like the Fuel Belt - which I love to use when I go on runs over 8 miles. Never used it on a bike, but I'm sure it would be more than comfortable.

sstorkel

Who wants to carry 5 or 10lbs of water on a ride? I carry two 24oz bottles and a few packets of CarboRocket or Gatorade. With a little flavor added, even warm water is quite tasty and drinkable. On warm days, I stop at convenience stores, restaurants, or public water fountains to refill as often as necessary.

c_m_shooter

I use a camelback on mountain bike rides, mostly so I can stash my tools, keys, and stuff in it. (Water bottles and seat bags don't last long in the woods.) I don't like wearing them in the summer at all. The water in the hose heats up fast and you lose a lot of cooling area on your back.

For road rides I find two insulated bottles is plenty for 40 or 50 miles if I start out pretty hydrated. Then I find somewhere to refill them.

jboyd

I love my CamelBak. When my rides are going to be over 15 miles, I use the CamelBak. I fill it full of Ice and water and it stays cold and ends very cool for at least 2-3 hours. Because the portions that lays against your back is padded, it insulates some and I think it keeps that area of my back cool as it migrates a bit.

I also find that when I wear a CamelBak, I stay better hydrated because of constant access.

Also, the little pockets are great for stuff.

My $02

TTom0814

camelbak makes insulated bottles that was already said in this thread but they also make sleeves



https://camelbak.com/sports-recreatio...ium-chill.aspx



https://camelbak.com/sports-recreatio...le-sleeve.aspx

i've never personally used these products but they seem promising i'm probably going order some bottles as for the sleeves.. im still on the fence about it

timmythology

I use one for unsupported rides since it allows more access for water. I also live the convenience of the hose on hills over trying to pull a bottle out. Sometimes on a hill I have a hard time not toppling over at my whopping 3.5mh pace.: ) I can also fit a bar, fruit and rain coat in it. I don't use a CB on supported rides, because I'll start to pack for a holocaust at the rest stops. I also use two standard water bottles in addition. Sweat is not an issue since I am soaked anyway.

One of my ridding partners put on a extra long hose and bungees hers to a rack on the back. She than has a holder for the nozzle mounted to the top tube. She also spends a lot of time in the drops.
There was a post in touring where they have a water bag that fit like a frame pack.

Hill-Pumper

For road riding I do the same thing, by planning my routes I can get away with 2 bottles. On mountain bike rides, the CamelBak goes with me for a couple of reasons. First, of course is that it lets me hold an extra 70 ounces of water in places where getting more water is not an option. The second is that the water bottles get dirt and mud get on them, from the trail, which does not taste good. I put my electrolyte drinks in my bottles and take off the lid to drink to keep from swallowing trail debris. I find that filling my CamelBak with ice and using the smaller units helps keep my back cooler too.

SCROUDS

I was considering getting a camelbak unbottle and strapping that to the top tube. Insulated and up to 100oz size.