Originally Posted by Daspydyr (Post 15508893)

It will not void the warranty if you only put two liters, or 1.5 liters in the pack. But it you want water-it is better to have than to want. :thumb:

Originally Posted by DaveSC (Post 15521668)

The last area that I would cheap out on is hydration, I'm in South Carolina so we get some heat and humidity out here.

I use a Camelback Mule which holds 3 liters and has plenty of room for clif bars and other random junk. It was $80: http://www.amazon.com/Camelbak-M-U-L.../dp/B00437TWK0
I did a 4.5hr ride in the heat this weekend and still had ice in the bag when I got home.

One of the benefits of the Camelbak is that you can replace the bladder / hose / mouthpiece and the bag itself is very high quality so it should last for years and years.

Originally Posted by Wooden Tiger (Post 15518552)

Usually what my wife and I do is fill our hydration pack up about 3/4 with water, freeze it, and then prior to leaving we'll fill it the rest of the way with water. This way, it usually stays cold for a while. I've found those insulated bottles don't work for crap; while they're better nothing, they're still not all that great. :notamused:

I'm glad I don't live in FL because the heat and I just don't get along very well. I start feeling really sick if I'm out biking in anything more than the low 80s, regardless how much water I drink, food I eat, etc. I dunno what it is, but I just don't feel well in the heat...

Originally Posted by Wooden Tiger (Post 15522618)

I've been taking a close look at the Mule. How do you like it, and is it a real cumbersome bag to carry?

Originally Posted by Wooden Tiger (Post 15522618)

I've been taking a close look at the Mule. How do you like it, and is it a real cumbersome bag to carry?

Originally Posted by osco53 (Post 15522620)

Yeah the Mid day Florida heat Is intense but do-able,

You need to ease into it and be smart,
Hydration aside,

you don't ride as hard,
you take more breaks,
modify your diet far in advance, and above all else if your not having fun,

Go Home !
Turn up the A/C and crack a beer XD

I tend to hit the trails at dawn and am done by lunch time...

Originally Posted by Daspydyr (Post 15522728)

I got my MULE at an REI garage sale for $40. I bought new tips and bleach cleaned it. It is a tad bulky. But there are times when I was glad I had the space. Rain gear, couple bottles of Lager, cigars. I always pack a good medical box. Not bandaids. 4X4 squares with tape, sterile wash and eye wash. It doesn't happen often, but when someone face plants or power slides its not pretty. That's the stuff I prepare for.

Originally Posted by DaveSC (Post 15522737)

I really like it, You can make it very small or very large depending on how much stuff you pack in it because there are straps to cinch up empty space. I have loaded it up pretty good a few times and honestly I really don't notice it when I am riding due to the way that it sits on your back. When I do short rides after work I don't put much water in it unless it's really hot and humid.

I bought one for my wife too and she loves it.

Originally Posted by Chris_F (Post 15531766)

I have a 3L Osprey Raptor that very recently replaced my 2L Camelback. The Camelback was nice but the Osprey is just superior in every way. If you're thinking of the Camelback I suggest you look at the Raptor as well and decide. The Raptor just has so many nice little features that the Camelback doesn't have. The semi-rigid bladder is much easier to fill and empty, the bladder zippers in instead of having to thread the tube through, the spout is held on by a magnet instead of a clasp, the tools are held in a nice tool roll that makes using them in the wild much easier, etc.