What bladder should I get?
 

I was thinking on getting this 2L Outbound bladder for $14.99 but wondering what's a good bladder size to go with? 1.0/1.5/2.0/3.0L? Also what about the MEC bladders or the CamelBak bladders?

The Camelbak Omega line of bladders apparently has a lifetime warranty but I'd like to know if anyone has used them before and what thier experiences are with it. Last thing I want is flood in the pack.

Thanks in advance.

I've got a "source" one from MEC and the bladder itself is pretty good, but the bite valve that came with it sucked. I used an old platypus bite valve (MECs OLD brand) and it works much better. The one that came with it was consistently leaky.

I'd go with 3L. You can always just fill it up half way but you might want more on a particular day! I actually went through about 4-4.5L on my ride today it was so crazy hot and humid... I had to stop at a park bathroom to re-fill.

not an 80 year old woman's, that's for sure!

*chuckle* BLADDER!

*chuckle* BITE VALVE SUCKED!

*chuckle* CONSISTENTLY LEAKY!

I had to stop at a park bathroom to EMPTY mine! *GUFFAW!*

The Camelbak UniBottle is great. The bite valve is excellent. Comes in a 2 and 3 liter size and is in an unsulated cover. Mine has never leaked and it goes in a backpack (EMS) or messenger bag (Chrome) very well.

One without a prostate would be good

full of beer?

I got one of the CamelBack's that was on sale from NashBar... I wear it everyday to and from school/work. Didnt leak... Untill my 2yo son decided to wear it... And chewed the hell out of the valve.... $0.99 down the drain.... $14.99 I think... Not a bad deal.... Its only 70oz and thats plenty for my 5.5miles to and fro...

JMHO
Billy

camleback bladders are solid. i have had others with *****ty leaking and bite valve issues. never with a camleback they are solid and seem to avoid mold damn well. as for size go as big as you can! as was said you can always fill it less than full.

speaking on mold; unless you use only water you best clean that thing frequently or refridgerate it between uses. me i use only water in mine anymore and mold is never an issue. sports drinks go in a bottle if i schlep one along.

I have a 3.0L Camelbak backpack style with bladder and I really don't like the bladder. The opening is solid and tight, but its so hard to open I nearly break my fingers trying to open it every time (and I'm a pretty big strong guy).

I have two Camelbaks, one Unbottle that I strap to the side of my photo backpack, and one MULE (I think.) The Unbottle is like you describe - a real struggle to open. The MULE is fine. I guess there is some variation between them.

The MULE is outstanding. Plenty of room for wallet, keys, patches, tools, etc, plus it has a waterproof pocket on top which is intended for an iPod but which I use for my cell phone. It might look a little dorky or clunky to some of the hardcore roadies out there, but I don't really care. :) It also has both a waist strap and a chest strap, which hold it in place very well, and "ventilation channels" between the back pads that seem to work very well. Of course I have been getting sweaty this week with the 90+ temps and humidity, but my back is just as comfortable as the rest of me, not scalding hot like with most backpacks.

I think the MULE is the pack I have. The pack itself is great. I love it......its just the bladder that has that issue.

you should check out your local costco, I got a 2L high sierra pack, with thermal lined bladder holder to keep your water cold. it's nice, and biking specific, it has a helmet pouch, mini pump holder, tire lever holder, mini tool holder, etc. as well as being reflective. I picked it up on sale for 16$.

They are the same except for the cover sleeve. The key to opening the Camelbak is to hold the bladder by the rectangular plasic piece at the bottom of the opening. Holding the same piece greatly helps to close the bladder too.