CanadianBiker32

For those that do long events on mt bike, what do you use? water bottle or camel bak?

Suggestions in this i am doing a race this weekend, Cheq 40. i done it before
i have a camelbak but only like it for recreation riding and training
don't like having it there for races really
my mt bike has only one water bottle holder, actually 2 but the 2nd is in awkward spot, under neath the drop bar upside down, which all my bottles fall out

so do you use just one water bottle here and rely on aid station or should i put a 2nd bottle in back jersey pocket?
thanks

catgita

Water in the bladder, sport drink in the cage, unless under an hour.

DMC707 

Camelbak all the time

hig4s

water bottle on short rides, Camelbak or both on medium rides, both on longer rides.

I was about to give up on bottles as they kept falling out, but I got a LoonyBin adjustable bottle cage. Did 6 miles intermediate terrain the other day, lots of roots and bumps. Bottle stayed fine.

Wingsprint

My top three reasons for not using bottles on a MTB:

1. Mud and dirt on nozzle.
2. Bottle(s) flying off the bike at the worst possible time.
3. Running out of drink.

No thanks. I will stick with a hydration pack.

An added benefit is having something to carry tools, phone, keys and other stuff in

C Law

For a 40 miler, I would go camel-bak type. Unless there is a neutral bottle hand up at aid stations.

I never use camel-bak type packs unless its going to be a +4 hour ride and there will be no chance to refill. Or if you are doing an endurance race like you mentioned in the race you aren't going to want to stop on that screaming downhill and walk an 1/8 mile back up the hill to pick up your ejected water bottle.

RIC0

My thoughts exactly. Bottle for rides that allow me to get back to more fluid within an hour. Anything over an hour then I sport the camelback with plenty of water and again the water bottle with good stuff in it at well. I've drank enough funk and mold out of bad hydration packs over the years so it's water only in that bad boy.

slowride454

This...especially for the Cheq 40. You are going to need lots of electrolytes. Those hills are no joke.

gandharv

Hey,
Just out of curiosity, has anyone tried any of the solar hydration backpacks? Like an ECEEN (https://www.amazon.com/Backpack-Charg.../dp/B00NFD3DBC) or Lumos backpack (www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VWIV40O)? They are usually larger (can carry 3L), but useful for slightly longer journeys.

On that note, do you guys use hydration backpacks just for mountain biking or do you use them on smaller tours (Sub-200kms) as well?

Thanks
Gandharv

gandharv

Hey,Just out of curiosity, has anyone tried any of the solar hydration backpacks? Like an ECEEN (Amazon.com: ECEEN® 7 Watts Solar Powered Cycling Backpack With 1.8L Bladder Bag For Biking And Charging for Mobile Phones, Tablets, Smartphones, etc. 5V Devices, Includes 10000mAh Waterproof Battery: Sports & Outdoors) or Lumos backpack (www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VWIV40O)? They are usually larger (can carry 3L), but useful for slightly longer journeys.


On that note, do you guys use hydration backpacks just for mountain biking or do you use them on smaller tours (Sub-200kms) as well?


Thanks
Gandharv

DMC707 

I use mine everywhere -- road, mountain, downhill --- i'd rather carry spares, tools, wallet, phone etc in a pack on my back than a seatbag or something- and it doesnt matter if its a 10 mile trail ride or a 75 mile road ride -- but for shorter jaunts, i might use a smaller water bladder or just fill a big one up halfway

gandharv

Ah fair. I like using my pack everywhere too , no matter what the distance. Though sometimes, when I ride with faster friends, I ditch the backpack. It makes me faster, but now that I am used to sipping water at regular intervals, I find a bottle to be inadequate!

osco53

I resemble that remark ~!

When someone asks me how far I ride I tell them, "Oh,, about,,100 ounces", that's how much water goes In my Volt !

Five, six miles from the trail head and I get a flat, or break a chain,, NP I got what I need with me..
First aid kit ? You Betcha !
Food ? I carry 400 - 500 calories, protein to keep my engines primed for that last nasty hill or that long sandy road out..

Pack weight ? Really ? I am not and never will be a weight weenie
Mine carries the weight down real low by design, I never feel it.
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DMC707 

I used to be --- literally 20 years ago - latex tubes, carbon fiber seats, drilled out components, -- the whole deal--- I had a steel framed Paramount mtb that was lighter than a lot of the road bikes of the era


But i no longer train or ride with cross country racing in mind --- when i look at my 29 pound trail/enduro bike i ride all the time -- i just think "why bother trying to save a few ounces" (except myself of course, im currently a Clydesdale class cyclist and would like to remedy that)

verdugist

I use a Camelbak Mule and always keep a filled Camelbak bottle on the bike. Both water. Although for that race sounds like the earlier poster's recommendation of water bladder and bottle with sports drink is smarter. Remember the sodium (wheat thins have a lot of sodium) as you sweat out the sodium and you need to keep the sodium level in check.