Hydration packs and road bikes
 

Why do bikers not use hydration packs on lon rides?

Sunspots

Lol

aesthetics.

They get expensive as you throw them to the side of the road when empty.

Actually, even though the sweat on the back isn't really comfortable, I do occasionally use one on solo rides where there are no stores for miles. Southern Arizona desert rides, even road rides, can be desolate.

Generally though, I make do on 2 Polar bottles and plan the route with several stops.

My reason for avoiding one is comfort.

Because I don't look cool with one? And if I don't look cool, then I am not being the best road cyclist I can be...

What, exactly, is a hydration pack?

P.S. if you throw any garbage on the road where I bike, I'll go home, get a frame pump, get back on the bike, catch up with you, and put it in your spokes.

It's probably easier just put a squirrel on your bike somewhere and let him loose when you need to!!;)

Oh, BTW, hydration pack = camel back or the like. I like the side sling when I'm mountain biking. It doesn't carry as much as the ones that go on your back but it also doesn't add to the sweat on your back and retain heat.

The problem I'm having is they apparently were not very popular and it's hard to get replacement bladders and the like.

Racers have been known to use Camelbaks during time trail stages in the Tour de France.

Most road cyclists don't use them because they are unnecessary. The main purpose of a Camelbak is to carry 2 or 3 liters of water on your back. On the road, you can usually find enough parks, convenience stores, gas stations, etc. to refill your bottles enough that you never come close to needing 2 liters (4 pounds). The only roadies I know that use Camelbaks are shorter riders whose frames are too small to mount 2 water bottles.

Note that Zefal (and maybe others) sell 1 liter (1 quart) water bottles the fit in standard-sized water bottle cages.

Hmmm... Giant Mutant Attack Squirrels. I like the cut of your giblets, Bike Lover.

The only reason why a hydration pack would appeal to me is I really don't like leaving my bike unattended outside, esp. outside a convenience store. Having two 24 oz. bottles limits my long rides to about 3 hours. I should really invest in a dinky little cable lock....obviously it wouldn't deter anyone with any kind of cutting tool (probably including a pair of scissors), but it would thwart a quick snatch 'n grab.

The other part is that a lot of my "long" rides around here are in some pretty rural areas, especially once I start heading north. Not much in the way of stores in some parts.

Anyone here take their bike into the convenience store with them?

I don't stop at convenience stores - mainly at park rest areas - but I *always* take my bike inside with me.

Really? I always kinda thought about that, but didn't want to get yelled at. Although I guess if I were tired enough, I probably wouldn't really care anyway. Do they ever say anything to you?

Well, no one's said anything to me yet, but usually there isn't anyone of authority.

From my experience, 9 out of 10 convenience store clerks don't have an authority complex. Tell them you're worried about it being stolen, you'll be two minutes, and I'm betting they won't give you a hassle. Of course, you *do* live in CT... where's Willimantic?

I have 2 sizes.. one for short hops, 25-65 and one for long rides 75-and beyond. Don't leave home without it..

Ummm....Willimantic is in the northeastern part of CT....not nearly as populated as central and southern CT, but we do have a rather large......ummmmmmm.....how can I say this while being politically correct....lots of welfare and non-English speaking residents.

With 2x on bike bottle holders and 2x seatpost ala aquarack, there really isn't any need to carry an extra camelbak as well.

Unfortunately for many, the seatpack gets in the way for a Profile Aqua Rack.

...depends on your ride. Here, if it's 85 degrees and 40 miles between C-store route, two bottles may not be enough. <70 miles? Bottles. >70? two bottles and a my H-pack.

Hmm. Didn't really think about that. It would work if you had enough seatpost showing a.la most compact geometries should work.

I don't carry too much in my seatpack so I could just as easily put the contents in my back jersey pocket if I really needed 4 bottles.

I usually take my camelback on any ride longer than 50 miles. I've ridden some places where you aren't likely to see human habitation, let alone a store or park, for easily that distance. I know the packs aren't effecient and I know the look silly and the put too much weight in the wrong place but I 've been miles from home and completely out of water with a long climb in triple didgit temperatures ahead of me. I'll take the weight, I'm a heavy guy anyway.

My Camelbak is too big. It has pockets and zippered chambers and stuff. It's great for hiking and MTB. If I had a little sleek, no-frills, deal, maybe I'd use it on a century. If I went touring, then I'd definitely have some sort of hydration pack.

Yea I did the other day. I just asked the cashier if he minded. No problem.

HAHA..yea that sounds accurate. It was a bit more "white trash-ish" when I was there.