how long should your ride be before you take one with you ?

i know i don't need one but i got one recently simply because i couldn't find a regular backpack that was equally aerodynamic.

i want a tiny backpack to put a pair of flip flops in, a spare tube, a micro sized pump, maybe a multi tool and a few alcohol soaked paper towels to wipe my hands if things get messy.

i was unable to find that so i got a small hydration pack instead. since i only ride 15 miles or so at a time, and i don't even feel any desire to drink water by the time i finish that distance ... this begs the question - am i an idiot ?

what would you do ?

I use a hydration pack, primarily because I have a MTB and a road bike, and I didn't want to buy redundant tools to put in each seat pack, so I have 1 hydration pack with everything. Also enough room for a couple of bananas and/or small lunch.

I also find it much easier to drink while riding than reaching down for the bottle.....guess its just a technique thing.

15 miles definitely begs for hydration of some kind. You may not seem thirsty, but trust me, your body needs it.

take a bottle, get a jersey and stuff all your other stuff in your back pockets. trust me, when things heat up and you've got something on your upper back stopping a lot of heat from escaping and making you sweat big time, it ain't pleasant.

rhetorical questions rock.

Yes

Why so little?

Water bottle(s).

Drink at rate of approx. 1 bottle per hour.

If riding more than 2 hours use a mix with electrolytes and sugar.

Store other stuff in small saddle bag and/or jersey pockets.

It's not rocket science.

once you start to ride longer than 15 miles you will realize that having anything on your back when cycling sucks.

I do use a HydraPak and do ride more than 15 miles. I do so b/c of the situation with my left arm that makes grabbing the hose easier/safer than reaching for a bottle (I have very limited use of my left arm/hand). Anyways, a traditional CamelBak does become uncomfortable but the HydraPak I'm currently using has spacers so it doesn't sit right on my back but rather 1/2 inch or so above it. It is cycling specific and it does help with the comfort issues. It was given to me by a LBS owner and I don't know the model.

All that said bottles would be better and the hope that I can improve my left hand grip enough to steady the bars while I reach for a bottle (and maintain my line) is the primary reason I'm doing yet one more surgery next month.

double

I'm not sure that question is rhetorical

I'm not sure that question is rhetorical

because anything longer is a waste.


/sarcasm

I've got one... the only time I'd consider using it is when I plan to ride more than 3 hours, mainly by myself when I'm not sure where the stores will be on the route.

It's a pain and carrying 4 bottles is usually easier IMO.

for what its worth, i did a 4 hour ride this weekend through an area that had no place to fill bottles, it basically had no human activity except for an occasional car. I carried a back pack to hold a few extra bottles and a change of clothes. 2 hours into the ride I was considering leave the back pack on the side of the road and continuing without it. It made the ride horrible. I'll never ride with anything on my back again.

Ride more than 20 minutes at a time and we'll talk.

Too easy. Try again.

in a comfortable road cycling posture, the backpack slides up your back, putting all its weight on your shoulders. letting your bike frame carry water and other stuff is the most efficient method, followed by putting it your jersey pocket, which is low on your back.

because...

I have had the opposite experience. I only use a hydration pack in the hottest part of the summer. I fill the pack with ice and freezing cold water. This makes the pack cold. So, you have a cold pack against your back, but I guess it depends on how far you ride. I was only doing 30 mile rides with this hydration pack.

Up to about 40 miles, I take bottles. Above I use my Camelbak 100oz classic, a fairly minimalist design. Where I ride, there's usually no place to stop & fill up and I'd rather not stop anyway. It is more comfortable without the camelbak, but using it is nothing terrible. I usually forget I have it on, even in hot weather. The camelbak also keeps liquid cooler longer than my bottles (Polar insulated) and as someone else said is easier to drink out of. I'd rather wear the camelbak than try to carry an extra bottle in my back pocket. I never tried a cage that sits behind the saddle, so that's an option, but don't know if it would fit with the seat bag under the saddle. So IMO they each have their place.

nice.

hm, i didn't think about it.

crap conflicting info !

You spend a lot of time not thinking about stuff!