jefscolnago

After a ride, I just fill each one full of water and drop an Efferdent into it . I put both tops into a jar full of water and drop another Efferdent into that. Let them sit over night. Rinse.

Carverbiker

Digger Goreman

Indefinitely as salt and baking soda takes care of any taste/odor problems.

indyfabz

Some of you need to spend nearly four months on the road with the same three bottles like I did. You would learn that less than sanitized water bottles are not going to make you sick.

pdlamb

True, though I did try to rinse the bottles clean and dry them overnight whenever possible.

devianb

I bought an extra tall 33oz one to fit in extra bottle cage for summer use, but haven't used it yet other than for testing purposes. I normally use my thermos and refill it or use sports drink bottles for a couple times then get new ones.

livedarklions

I just checked. Bottle manufacturers recommend buying a new bottle after every 2 sips.

I go for quantity over temp on a hot day, so insulated bottles just don't hold enough for me. If temperature is that big an issue for me, I probably need to duck into some air conditioning for a few minutes. That's why the Good Lord invented convenience stores.

NomarsGirl

I think they reproduce in my closet.

indyfabz

Of course you do routine maintenance when possible, but I get the impression from some people that they fear for their lives if their bottles are not sanitized immediately after every ride, or at least given thorough scrubs or put in the dishwasher. I can only imagine how they would react having to get by with only two pair of underwear for 5 days without washing them.

Milton Keynes

That's why I sometimes use a hydration pack.

livedarklions

That would be a losing proposition for me because the pack is going to make me sweat more, which will make me need more water. I usually want a break every 30-40 miles anyway just to use the facilities and break up any monotony, and unless it's 100 degrees, one bottle is fine for that distance.

Besides, I got the best sub I ever had in my life in a convenience store on a hot day--excellent goulash on really good french bread. I wouldn't find that in a hydration pack.

This might be the ultimate "what's the best shoe size" thread ever.

livedarklions

Generally, I find that's all they really need as long as all I'm putting in them is water.

Milton Keynes

Well the thing is I ride in some pretty rural areas where convenience stores are few and far in between. The one horse and sometimes no horse towns I ride to aren't big enough for them, either. Of course it depends on which direction I ride.

patricio.montes

I use Camelbak for years, bottles only for short rides. You can reuse the old ones, for instance as tools bottle.

livedarklions

Yup, it's the best shoe size thing--what works for me doesn't work for you. But if you find a convenience store with a nice Hungarian lady running a pizza place, stop at it! You won't need the horse.

TimothyH

I've never minded a Camelbak. It doesn't bother me at all.

Even so, I recently bought new, larger bottles for my gravel bike for when two bottles inside the frame might not be enough and I just don't feel like bringing a backpack hydration system.




-Tim-

Milton Keynes

On long rides in the summer away from convenience stores, I use both. My hydration pack holds 1 liter of water, but I've seen them at Academy Sports that hold 2 liters.

patricio.montes

I have a 3l bag. We have here dry and warm climate. In summer time, doing marathons with no water provisioning points, besides the 3l bag I also carry a 1l bottle... and it's not enough. For this summer I must find the place in the bike to hold an extra 1l bottle. For short rides one 1l bottle is enough.

patricio.montes

It depends on the type of riding. In my case: sport and adventure outside in the mountains and the desert, an hydration backpack is quite useful, not only for carrying water. Dominus tecum.

Jon T

I bought my bike and bottle 35 years ago. I replaced the bottle last year ONLY because I got a freebie at the Sea Otter Classic and it is a few ozs bigger. Other than that, no need for it to be replaced. I'm keeping it for a back up or in case I decide I need another'ne on the bike.
Jon

TimothyH

Milton Keynes

Actually, I take that back... Mine is a 2 liter bag. I remember now because I noted when I got it that it would hold as much liquid as a 2 liter bottle of soda. But yes, a 3 liter bag would be even better, because on some long, hot rides I've gone through two 24 oz. bottles and the 2 liters in my hydration pack.

TimothyH

Y'all could bring a Sawyer filter or an MSR Trail Shot.

I filter water sometimes when I'm riding gravel in the mountains. The filters work well and water from a mountain stream can taste sweet.


-Tim-

indyfabz

Spent a week in the backcountry of Glacier National Park. All we drank was filtered mountain water. Yummy! Couldn't believe there were people using those iodine pills.

Repack Rider

I haven't bought a water bottle or a t-shirt ever.

But I went to a lot of bike races, so I will never run out.