I tried my MTB Camelback on a road ride, but it trapped heat and sweat on my back, very uncomfortable. I switched to a Camelback waist-pak. It works great, takes up a small space around your waist and isn't heavy. The only drawback is it doesn't hold a lot of water (hence it isn't heavy). I refill it around 25-30 miles.

Maybe I am getting better but they say New Mexicans (I am a transplant) are lizards when it comes to drinking water. UMD and the other dude forgot his name, really hot girlfriend -- I was also surprised last year that they claim not drinking much while riding but here I am today, just one water bottle and rarely do I use electrolytes.

I rode really a lot last year and as the year ended I only have one water bottle cage. My fixed gear does not have a water bottle cage and I ride 10-15 milers at night during the winter without the need to drink at all.

However I have kept the camelback in the freezer and use it to cool myself plus you have cold water when it melts. Just an idea

I use a Camelbak for any ride over an hour, meaning the great majority of my rides. Benefits-- keeps drink colder, holds more liquid (mine goes up to 100 oz) and easier to drink from. Does make your back sweaty, but wearing it doesn't bother me-- I rarely think about it. I have the Classic--very minimalist, not a big backpack type, just enough room for the bladder & a small zipper compartment big enough for some money, keys & maybe a phone. I may be uncoordinated, but I find when I drink from a bottle, I have a tendency to aspirate & choke. Doesn't happen with the camelbak. Overall, I think its easier to stay hydrated with the Camelbak. I drink a little bit every 3-4 miles insead of waiting till I'm dying of thirst and drinking half a bottle. We have a group ride on Tuesdays. This week it was about 93 & humid. May not seem that hot to some of you, but around here we only get a handful or two of days in the 90s each summer. Anyway, during the ride one guy dropped his bottle and after another commented how he never drinks enough during a ride. If anyone looks down on me for the Camelbak, that's their problem, not mine.

Dan

I busted out my camelbak for a ride a couple weeks ago. I hadn't used it in like years, but I was surprised at how well it worked, considering how much hate gets thrown at them here in the road forum.

I say use it.

Just used a Camelback last weekend and loved it. Use it.

Wear what you want. Most "roadies" don't use them for both practical and "image" reasons. They do tend to be uncomfortable on your back during long, very hot rides, and may not be necessary if you have 2- 3 bottles and adequate rest stops for refills. If you main concern is the dork factor, it all depends on how you feel about that. I personaly don't care what other roadies think, and wear what I find most comfortable for me. (I left Highschool, and the whole peer pressure thing a long time ago.). That said, a hydro pack may be inpractical in most situations. On a 5 hour ride, you may find adequate rest stops to get by with two bottle cages and one in the jersey.

I'm just sayin', don't let the expectations of others be the main driver of your your decision. Heck, even Lance will occasionally wear a visored helmet and black socks.

Screw dorkiness, ill be stylish when i'm not riding, if i'm on the bike i do whatever i need to do to keep myself healthy and happy, if that means a camelback the so be it...

I use a camelback and I'm proud of it. two water bottles isn't enough, and you wont see my riding with water bottles in my pockets, thats just silly.

this too... much easier to stay hydrated with the camelback

There you have it. The bottom line is "To each, his own".

I find it hilarious that someone would put a water bottle in their middle jersey pocket, which is absolutely the most uncomfortable thing I can imagine, before they would wear a camelbak. I personally don't wear a camelbak, because most of my routes have easy water stops, but I wouldn't hesitate putting one on if needed. 100 degree heat is no joke, and there's no use putting yourself in danger or making things hard on yourself just because some ocd folks think wearing water on your back, as opposed to putting it on your bike, is that big of a difference.

I'm going to have to make that sign... Unshaven legs and all. (Shaved once, the wife flipped). I guess I'm destined to be a Fred, so I might as well claim it.

There are plenty of ways to carry extra water without a back bag so "issues" like sweat volume, heat and distance are irrelevant to the discussion.

Secondly, if you lack the basic bike handling skills to ride and drink from a water bottle at the same time, you are a danger to yourself and others. You need to develop those skills regardless of how you carry your water.

So what it really comes down to is whether you find a back bag and a hose in your face to be more or less annoying than carrying extra water on your bike. For me, it's a no-brainer. I'm not wearing the back bag.

one could try gettin a bigger jersey and wearing it over the pack-may feel awkward, but it might hide shame

Have you ever tried one?

Yes. And?

Just curious. Seems that just about everyone who has actually used one agrees that the Camelbak makes drinking adequate quantities of cold fluid much easier. The only possible downside is a slight discomfort factor, but as I said before, its so slight that I forget about it when I ride. Not trying to get into a flame war here, but you just seemed to have an attitude that made me wonder if you had ever actually tried one. I'm not questioning your choice. To each his own.

Riding right now in Oklahoma City, it's 102 degrees out during the day. I use one during this heat. I keep it full of water. Then I use two water bottles with electrolyte replacement. I only use it when its this hot. Otherwise, just bottles.

You seem to have an attitude that makes me wonder if you ever actually ride with an aero position.

Water bottles are trivially easy.

I do, and I think this discussion has no additional utility. Whatever works for you is great.

This is an image of the Camelbak waist unit mentioned above. It's called the catalyst, Nashbar used to have it on sale in blue and purple, but other colors are available.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_r-OikpA4zW4/Sk...20Catalyst.jpg

+1

Hey there, I'm a fellow OKCer as well. This last week has really made me consider getting a camelbak as well.

Correct.

On double centuries the lead pack does not stop at the first sag stop (usually 25-30 miles). So you must have enough fluids and speed :D to stay with the lead pack until the second stop (usually mile 50-60). Stopping at SAG stops not only takes elapsed time but time to get back into your groove.

+1 A 100 oz Camelbak packed with as much ice as it can hold will often still be cold (and contain ice:eek:) up to 5 hours in 100 F heat. That's in the dry West. In humid areas, the time is reduced by 1 to 1.5 hours. However, that water condensing on the outside of the bag and melting your ice is dripping down your back:thumb: It's like carrying your own air conditioning unit;)

You're kidding right?