Gearhead65

Been using a 50oz Camelbak for rides. I've never liked the reach for the water bottle thing to drink. (Works for millions of you, but not me.) I've been wanting to get the hydration system off my back though.

Assembled this system with a Camelbak insulated accessory hose, some McMaster Carr parts, a couple free water bottles from the Crane Ride 2 Recovery Ride, and a Profile Designs rear bottle rack.

Aside from getting the water off my back, I wanted a few things...less or equal weight to the Camelbak (455g - I'm a weight weenie), no leg interference swinging over the saddle or in the saddle, ability to still have a seat bag, and equal or more capacity than the Camelbak.

I'd seen some hydration systems on the internet, but frankly didn't like the style, price, and/or functional design of any of them. Anyway, this is what I came up with. The fittings (McMaster Carr) have internal valves that close when you press the Quick Disconnect. When their disconnected, you can still drink out of the bottles normally...a plus! May rig up a 3rd bottle to put on the downtube for really long dry runs out in BFE.

I really like the Profile Designs rack. Aside from the perfect fit, it has a couple fitting on each side that allow you to thread CO2 cartridges in. I have a couple wrapped in Gorilla Tape (tapes in case I ever need to repair a tire also.) Frees up a little space in the bag. Rack weighs in around 175g.

I'm thinking about adding a couple pinch valves on the hoses coming from the bottle. With that, you could have a "water" bottle and an "electrolyte" bottle and reach behind you to switch what you pull from. (maybe a little over the top, but could be done if desired.)

Need to replace the yellow velcro at the stem with a black one. It's just what I had around the house at the time.

CyciumX

I have the same mount in the back and also hate my camelbak.. can you post a list of the tubing you used and the connecting valves? I'd be most grateful!

DRietz

Those valves look like the ones from my brother's ice machine for his ACL reconstruction...

datlas 

Interesting, and I am glad it works for you.

However, I am going to stick with traditional water bottles and cages.

I never really "got" the camelback concept anyway.

AngryScientist 

interesting

4000Miles

Wow. That's excellent, +1 for some sort of diagram of how you did it and what you used? Also, I wonder if it might be more effective with the tubing coming out of the bottom of the bottles, ie letting gravity do a portion of the work?

Gearhead65

Yeah, I actually started down that path with the tubing out the bottom...actually turning the bottle upside down with a check valve to allow air entry while drinking. Ran into some issues so abandoned it. Got a couple extra fitting from that I couldn't end up using.

I'll post some McMaster Carr fitting numbers and a few more details.

Megiddo

Now put a thumb pump on it so you don't have to suck the water out. Nice idea.

CyciumX

Thanks. Looking forward to it. I promise to post my incarnation of it and give credit where credit is due.

Gearhead65

Rack I used:
https://www.profile-design.com/profil.../aquarack.html
(sweet!)

McMaster Carr fittings:
https://www.mcmaster.com/#
5012K58 ACETAL QUICK-DISCONNECT COUPLING, THRU-WALL PLUG,1/8 CPLG, FOR 1/4"TUBE ID, W/ VALVE
5012K39 ACETAL QUICK-DISCONNECT COUPLING, SOCKET, 1/8 CPLG, FOR 1/4" TUBE ID, WITH VALVE
53055K155 SANITARY WHITE PVDF SNGL-BARBED TUBE FITTING, WYE FOR 1/4" TUBE ID
5047K73 MOISTURE-RESISTANT ACETAL SNGL-BARB FITTING, COUPLING FOR 1/4" TUBE ID

The extra clear tubing I got at Home Depot. It's 1/4" ID, 3/8" OD.
Also got a 20" long PVC faucet supply line at HD also for a rigid section that runs under the top tube from the Wye to the front. Cut the fitting off the end to around 17" long and inserted the 5047K73 fitting in the front end to accept the Camelbak hose. It's covered in the Camelbak insulation, so you can't see it. Black zip ties hold it to the front and rear brake cable bracket.

That's about it. Road trials tomorrow night, after riding circles in my driveway, getting waterlogged.

tallmantim

Could you simply have a mouth feed from a bottle in the front cage with the option of swapping over to the other bottle while riding? Kudos to you, but seems like a lot of tubing and I would have thought it would warm up when sitting in the tubing for a while.

That said however, I've never had a problem with the traditional water bottle setup, so don't have the problem that needs fixing!

Cheers

kindablue

Wow, I'd never use that for roadie use, but that looks like an excellent solution for TT/Triathlon use. Have you thought about selling that system idea?

colombo357

Hey is that a bidet? Sweet!

sirious94

um...


too late...
although your system might be cheaper.
this on amazon is $100
how much did yours cost to make?

CyciumX

His system allows more capacity.

kudude

two words for you sir:

Mother****ing win

Anytime I hear about mcmaster and "maybe over the top" I get all warm and fuzzy inside

Basil Moss

Aargh! My eyes!

pdedes

i'll give you that it's symmetrical.

blamire

very very cool, but whats wrong with regular bottle cages and picking up your bottles to drink?

brad06ag

Sounds a lot like a solution in search of a problem...

Walter

OP stated that he's never become comfortable reaching for a bottle so he did this for himself.

Walter

OP stated that he's never become comfortable reaching for a bottle so he did this for himself.

WCroadie

Then wait for a stop sign/red light or just pull over and take a swig. After a few tries, you should be comfortable reaching for a bottle. I"ll give you credit for concocting that contraption but my god it doesn't belong on a road bike.

MDfive21

i think it's pretty cool.

Caymem

Very neat