Camelbak?
 

Anyone tried the new wearable camelbak undershirt with the water reservoir built in? I have not used camelbaks in years but for a really long ride like the hotter'n hell hundred they are really nice, especially if trying to go the whole way w/o stopping. Looked on their site, REI site also, no reviews yet. Anyone?

Fredilicious.

The only time I'll consider using a Camelbak on a bicycle is in the winter when it's cold enough to freeze my water bottles. If you're going to lug the water along on a ride, you might as well be able to drink it. Of course, I conceal it under my jacket. They are nice for skiing, however.

Yes, the fashion Nazis at BF have declared the lowly Camelbak to be a Fred accessory. Sorry.

You mean it can be fredilicous even if you can't see it, except for the drinking tube? Wow that's harsh. If anyone out there has actually used one and cares to comment that would be great. Anyone who just wants to comment on the fashion sense really needn't bother. I realized having said that on this forum a waste of time.

I think that you may be asking this question in the wrong forum if you expect an ego-and-sarcasm-free response. Try asking your question on the Fifty-Plus forum where we still give intelligent answers and avoid "textspeak".

RedBull gives you horns, Camelbak shirt gives you titties.

:D

Camelbak packs I love.

I just bought "real" bottles for the first time (Camelbak Podium ICE).
I'm riding more aggressively now and I start "feeling" the pack on my back.
I do plan to get a Camelbak Rogue which is more compact than the Camelbak MULE I have now.
I have no qualms about using a Camelbak for a Century, but for short 20-40 mile runs, I'll leave it.
Oh, and if a roadie ever said anything about me wearing a hydration pack, I'd drop him (and I don't mean in a race).

:D

I wear it during TT's. Fred or not, it helped drop my times and put me in the top couple of spots. I don't break position to take any drinks(yeah yeah, drinking is for *******). A friend of mine wears it for crits and he's a solid 2.
You can wear what you want when you can back it up.

I use a Camelbak (regular backpack) on occasion, Fredliness be damned. ;) Came in pretty handy today in 95º weather

I haven't used the Racebak (the wearable one), I expect it would be good for a relatively short ride like a TT or a race. My concerns for longer rides is that the reservoir won't have as much insulation as a full pack, and won't stay cold as long; also you can't really refill it.

As such I don't think it's a good choice for long events like the HTH or Furnace Creek 500.

I could care less what the fashion police at BF think or whatever image someone has about those who ride with camelbacks. That's their problem, not mine.
I don't ride with my Camelback (used while riding MTBs) because it's just too hot under the camelback. SOooo, I tried Camelback's waist pak. That thing leaks, has mounting problems, and keeping the mouthpiece mounted next to a helmet requires constant adjustment.
I finally gave up on all Camelbacks and just learned how to reach down and grab a bottle while maintaining speed.
I haven't tried the latest Camelback undershirt design. Somehow riding with an undershirt full of water under a jersey with outside temps in the 90s just feels like another Camelback disaster. Geez, when they copied the Polar bottle, they couldn't even get that right making their version too small.

This is my main problem with Cambelbacks. I completely understand the application on MTB's, and somewhat get why they might be useful on a longer TT. However, I find them worthless on a road bike. Using bottles is easier and much more efficient.

I am looking at it as an alternative to having to carry a third and maybe fourth bottle in the jersey pockets; carry two bottles on the bike thats 48 oz plus the camelbak which makes 72 oz more thats five bottles for a 4+ hr ride. A lot depends on the weather, last year it was 84 degrees at the finish, most years it is 84 degrees before the start.

Great thing about a Camelbak is that you can strip your bike (no bags, no cages, no bottles) and carry all your needs in your pack.
Plus, with a 3 ltr. bladder, that's 3+ bottles worth and it STAYS ICE COLD for at the very least, 3 hours.
For me, for short rides, a pair of bottles would be fine with a seat bag.
For much longer rides, a Camelbak is nice especially since you can carry food in it.

While I'm still looking into their new bags
and am waiting to see what they have for 2011,
for now, this is what I'm looking at:
Camelbak Rogue. Only 2L, but it's enough.

http://media.rei.com/media/923541.jpg

I think Camelbak's are way under-rated in road cycling. Come on - we're not the pros and we dont' need to be super aero.

In the meanwhile, I see guys stuffing their jerseys with so much crap that it looks like a balloon back there.

I started using the Camelbak more regularly after extending my rides to 4+ hrs, and especially during fall/winter where a mountain climb could mean a 30 degree temp change from base to peak, possibly with unexpected rain up top. When you're going downhill at 25-30mph, wet and chilly, you start swearing that you'll never not bring a windproof heavier jacket to wear down in your camelbak.

I'm proficient at bottle grabbing (I can even grab them readily from a rear-mount bottle rack on my TT bike) but if you're using your camelbak correctly, it's definitely easier to drink on the move. Just put the nozzle in your mouth, and you can go - you can even hold it there and sprint/climb before you use it.

As for the hot back, yes, you will sweat more back there, but I'm usually sweating so much that a hot back is the least of my concerns. If you're worrying about sweating only on your back, you need to crank up the pace, as this isn't commuter cycling in street clothes we're talking here.

On long rides in variable conditions, Camelbak FTW. On short rides (<1.5hrs), ok, bottles might be easier to clean and fill, but the Camelbak is still easier to drink from.

Speak for yourself. I'll take every advantage I can when I'm going headfirst into 20+mph winds.

+1. Not wearing a Camelbak is slightly more comfortable than wearing one. But they are easier to drink out of and they keep your liquid of choice cooler longer than a bottle (even a Polar insulated). Add in capacity (mine is 100oz) and the Camelbak is a clear winner for a long ride. I have the classic--very minimalist design. Apparently now only being sold in a 70z model. I wonder if a 100oz bladder (which they do sell separately) would fit.

Please Click link for answer to your question.

Wait for the new 2011 bladder...

This^

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...NVRb38hXtTYIs=

If you ask an intelligent person a question, you will get a well thought out intelligent answer. If you ask a stupid person a question, you will get a stupid answer. Look back over the replies above...Exactly....:innocent:

Camelbaks are awesome, but I would never wear one on the bike. They're just too uncomfortable for me. I don't like having anything on my back when I'm riding. For hiking/camping, they rock. I've never tried the undershirt version though, as bottles have worked just fine for me thus far.

Just got and use a Lobo. My old one is the classic and works well too

Actually, depending on who you talk to, that hump could be more aero.

Washing a camelbak bladder is a PITA.
Filling a camelbak is a PITA.
Refilling a camelbak mid-ride is a PITA.
Lugging a 90+ ounce camelbak up a long climb so that you don't have to refill is a PITA.

I use a camelbak for mountain biking because
1. Dirt gets all over the spouts of water bottles which is a PITA
2. No gas stations or drinking fountains en route for refills

Oh, in either case, your back gets extra sweaty which is a PITA. It does however serve as a spine protector.

I use a CamelBak (actually a HydraPak) b/c I have to. My left arm is paralyzed due to a motorcycle accident and though I'm quite comfortable riding no-handed that doesn't extend to grabbing/replacing water bottles.

Since I rode for years before the accident I can give you some comparison between the hydration methods. The HydraPak ain't bad. Tabs keep it about a 1/2 inch or so off my back and that probably helps. Not a real big bladder but it is easy to turn inside out and clean (not true with all bladders).

All said I'd prefer to use bottles. I just would rather not have anything on my back. However, hydration packs work and use them if you want.