Originally Posted by
cyccommute
I knew if I put mileage into a post it would turn into a measuring contest.
And all I’m saying is that if you have hand, back, and butt problems, look for reasons elsewhere. It isn’t the hydration pack causing the problem. Most people ride a bike like it’s a Barcalounger. If you start the day not sitting on the saddle like a sack of potatoes, you are likely to end the day with few problems.
No, the weight of a hydration pack isn’t static because the rider isn’t “static”. Even if it is static to you, you aren’t static to the bike. That makes the weight of the hydration pack…and the rider…not static.
It's only a measuring contest to you because you attempted to use mileage as an unchallenged "appeal to authority". Others can also can refer to their experience when describing their subjective results. It's not a contest unless you are trying to say "I'm right-you're wrong" In some objective way. Which it appears you are.
You can say "a hydration pack causes no problem for me" subjectively. But you can't say "It's not a problem for anyone" objectively. You can only relate your own subjective experience.
Also, we are talking about the effect of weight on the rider- not the bike. The bike does not feel discomfort. In this context, adding weight to your back that does not move (static) increases stress to the muscles and joints. To what degree this effects the individual can be be debated (already addressed above as ymmv). How it effects the bike is not an issue.
From a purely physiological/athletic perspective there is no benefit to adding weight to the body when cycling. Less is better as in all other sports like running, skiing, rowing, horse riding - no one adds weight to the back to improve performance. I might accept the advantage of cooling in hot weather if ice is added but would ask where you get it on day two of a bikepacking trip.
Most other advantages proffered here have to do with: stimulating hydration - which could be achieved conventionally through self ddiscipline. Added volume - which could be achieved with bladders or bottles just as easily. Not enough storage on the bike - which could be addressed by building an adequate rig.
I'm not saying anyone has to alter their methods, only that most of the claims are really not solutions that don't already exist. The hydration pack is just another option that forcsome contains a few caveats.