Originally Posted by
cyccommute
SapInMyBlood’s post has the same elements that mine has. He is saying that riding with a hydration pack leads to more pressure on your hands, lower back, and sit bones. Isn’t that telling me that I’m doing something wrong? I’ve never experienced any of that and I’ve been using hydration packs for tours since at least 2003. The only reason that I haven’t used them longer is that they weren’t invented during my early years of touring. (I took a break in loaded touring from 1985 to 2003). I can’t speak for other people, but I’ve never seen a post here making the arguments that SapInMyBlood has presented. The only complaints I’ve ever seen related to sweat and, perhaps, sore shoulders.
I’m not new to touring. I’ve done around 10,000 miles while touring and never had a problem riding lightly in the saddle even after a very long day. On my most recent touring (July 2021), I even did several days over 70 miles (and at least one 90+ mile day). My hands hurt from the bars. My lower back had zero problems. My sit bones never hurt through 24 long days.
It’s actually a bit higher as I carry tools in the bag. But it isn’t “static weight” which is my point. Water carried on the bike is static. The weight I carry on my body is sprung by my legs and arms. One of the reasons mountain bikers use hydration packs is because they are convenient and encourage drinking because of that convenience. Tourists can benefit as well.
I've done rides up to 230 miles
per day, so maybe those changes accrue over longer periods of time
And I have also used light camelbaks (my salomon trail running bag is my fave) and my evoc 26l touring MTB backpack for carrying more capacity, doing up to 150km days on MTB
I'm not saying you can't use camelbaks, just that you should possibly anticipate certain issues, such as the ones outlined above
Blue salomon agile
Red salomon agile
For bonus points :carrying a mountaineering axe, during a MTB approach to an alpine mission
