Koonstheman

Hi -

I own a Camelbak Blowfish with a 100-ounce bladder. I'm looking to replace the unit. I'm fine with the bladder, but I'd actually like a bag with just a little more capacity to shove other things into. Camelbak's site shows something called the Ratchet as the biggest bag for cycling, with a capacity for 150 cubic inches, but I can't quite contextualize what this means in comparison to what I have, which is discontinued and therefore not shown for comparison.

Does anyone have any insight they could share? I find it a little peculiar that their units that fall in the mountain biking section appear to be bigger.

Thanks
John

rbk_3

In before someone posts Rule #32

Koonstheman

What is rule 32?

dougphoto

Velominati ? The Rules

Koonstheman

Thanks very much. The link was broken.

So, if you ride for five or six hours on the road, and you don't have hydration available on the side of the road, needing to drink seven or eight bottles, you are not considered a road rider if you carry hydration?

I could have sworn what I've been riding for decades is a road bike...

garciawork

Don't worry about it. I ride with a 100oz MULE NV, and will be trying out the low CG skyline soon. I hate stopping, period, so I ignore that rule. Having the water is worth it to me, and I notice no ill effects.

memebag

The rules are a joke. Some people don't get the joke.

Google says 150 cubic inches is 83 fluid ounces, or 8 ounces more than 3 25 oz. bottles.

pacalolo

I have a Camelbak Mule that I use on my mountain bike, because I follow Rule #32 But if I was going out alone for a long time, and didn't know if the route had opportunities to fill up, I would use the Mule on my road bike. But it doesn't fit too much stuff beyond some tools and an extra pair of socks. Definitely not enough to bring clothing to work.

datlas 

Yes, the rules are a joke.

That said, most road cyclists can and do stop every 2 hours or so to fill bottles, either at a gas station or convenience store or water spigot. It would be unusual to have a route that does not allow this.

banerjek

Where are you riding that you have no access to hydration? Aside from businesses, there are spigots on churches and even private homeowners will oblige. If there are any streams or lakes, a lightweight water filter can get you loads of water.

7-8 bottles sounds reasonable for what you describe, but that's way more than will fit in a 100oz bladder that weighs a ton. There was a time when I'd lug a couple of two liter bottles in panniers in addition to the bottles up front, but it's really unnecessary to lug that kind of weight unless you're in the desert in the middle of nowhere.

xodondum

I always use my camelback because I don't want to stop (and find some foreign water).

BluFalconActual

Im stationed in the desert and on a lot of rides, water is not available and neither is cell phone service. I use a camelbak when I go on long rides in the summer for insurance.