Camelbaks are almost universal among serious mountain bikers (at least in my experience)...but they are very rare among road bikers. As a mountain biker getting into road biking as well, I find this puzzling. Could it be weight? Probably not, the weight of the pack is insignificant compared to the weight of the water. Aerodynamics? I'd think wearing a Camelbak would improve things. You can continue to ride hard while drinking from a pack, while dealing with a bottle breaks your rhythm.

Thoughts/comments on this issue?

Twenty years of habit (for me, at least) is hard to break. I lot of triathloners use 'em, I've noticed, but even when I did a few I stuck with bottles. I guess we'll have to wait until LA puts one on his back, then we'll all have one! Just kidding, sheeesh.

it might be the waters weight shifting in the bladder that could throw it off balance.

I wouldent know from experience, but It guess it could happen

I just think they are unnecessary and more trouble than they are worth. On the road it is not difficult to reach down and grab a bottle. Besides, who wants something on her back?

Weight is indeed a factor. The pack isn't empty it's filled with water. Some people don't care, cool. But if you see a roadie with bottles, some of them (like me) do NOT want that weight on their back. It's not as comfortable on my roadie as my mtb... which has a suspension.
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Bottles can't be that much of a factor. If it is, I haven't noticed the drag.
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Grabbing a bottle while riding the hoods or fully sitting up to drink and get a stretch doesn't break my rhythm.


Somthing you didn't ask about... how about bottles on a mtb?

I don't have the coordination to grab a bottle and drink while climbing over roots, so the camelbak is necessary for me on a mtb. So maybe it's not why do roadies like bottles, but why mtbers don't use bottles?

Also, I like having plain water -and- cytomax in different bottles, depending upon my thirst. Can't do that with one water container. And I never mtb as long as I ride pavement.

An ex-g/f.

I kind of divide my time between the road and mt bikes here, (more road) and I gotta admit when I ride the roadie I still slap my ugly, muddy, 100 oz Mule on my back, loaded with both MTB and road tubes, god knows how many patch kits (mostly with dried-out glue), a cell phone, a mini pump, some cash that's been in there for emergencies for at least 5 years, a tire iron that I've never ever used but someone gave me, a CO2 inflator with no cartridges, a bunch of wrappers from different crap I've eaten, and a massive Topeak Alien tool and head out the door! And, yes, I nerdishly count grams when it comes to parts for the bike. Somehow having conscious knowledge of my foolishness makes it okay in my mind

One reason you don't see camelbacks on road riders (at least those who race) is that in a race you use more then just the fluids you start the race with. You get new bottles at the feedzone. You generally need more fluids for the race then what you can carry on the bike or in a camelback.

Also I think I read somewhere that it's harder on the body to carry the weight on your body then it is on your bike.

That's like me posting on Sh*****, well, not this post.

Bottles for several reasons:
1. I want to keep the weight low, in normal riding position your back is on top of everthing.
2. I want my back to be a heat sink.
3. I carry both water and Gookinaid.
4. It's generally easy to refill water bottles on the road, so no need to start with lots of water as with mountain biking.
5. Respect from other roadies, got to keep that one in mind.

Bottles are way cheaper

I'm a recent MTB convert. Out of habit I started road riding with my Camelback, but found it usually wasn't needed. There are opportunities to refill bottles on the road (park drinking fountains, stores, feed zone, SAG stop, etc). Not as many opportunities when MTB'ing. I would run out of water on a MTB ride without the 100 oz on my back, but can refill on the road when needed. If I'm going on a long road ride where there won't be water I will bring the Camelback.

I ride with a CamelBak while MTBing out of necessity. If I could get away with MTBing without it then I'd do it. Those things make my back hot. My MTB doesn't have much space for water bottles (can only fit a single small bottle and if I ride at night, my battery goes there) and either way I still wouldn't be able to carry enough water for the longer rides I like to do. On the road, it's a different story. I can fit two large bottles on the bike and I can refill them at convenience stores or from water fountains. Also, I like to have access to stuff in my pockets during a road ride. I'm unable to reach into my pockets if I'm wearing a pack. And lastly, I don't carry as much stuff with me while road-riding as I do MTBing.

you ride dirt without a helmet lamp?!

I use both.

I ride with a camelbak and it doesn't bother me at all. I think it works pretty well especially when I want to bring random stuff with me like camera, map, sandwich, etc. I see some solo road cyclists with camelbak in my area, but haven't seen anybody with one in group rides.

okay, you're approved.

Bobby Julich has been known to wear a Camelbak during stage races and TT's.

Interesting....I like both. I do lots of self-supported centuries, and 2 bottles just isn't enough liquid for me. I hate stopping at some store because I buy cheap powder drink mix and mix my drinks at home. I hate riding back home because my home is a dorm room and I have to ride through 4 miles of constant stopping that kills my avg. speed. If I'm going on a shorter ride, bottles are just more convenient.

I love the Camelbaks that don't look like backpacks...the ones that are just liquid storage and one pocket at the most. Those are the most comfortable and easiest to deal with.

Heat ... During summer here in FL I don't want that thing on my back.
It definitely hinders cooling. No direct air flow over your back.

Its just personal preference.

I use my Camelback on the road since it's conveneint for me. And i tend to drink at shorter intervals when im using a hydration pack.

I didnt have problems w/ the water bottles. So it really doesnt matter. As long as you know when to drink, and how much, it really doesnt make a difference.

Most camelbacks have... too many pockets and are very bulky. I use the one with no pockets/storage. The 50oz model.... Very small, and light.

When im on the road, I dont feel anything on my back if i use these small camelbacks.

On my MTB however, I use the larger camelbacks..Since I need space to carry spares, tools, etc. And, as for the water bottle, as I go up a steep rough road... well, reaching for a bottle is not just for me....

Lots of interesting points here. I have the Camelbak Rogue (70 oz), which has only one pocket (just large enough for a patch kit and multitool) because I didn't want something big and bulky. On really long rides I take my Jansport daypack, which has a pocket for the reservoir and enough straps so it doesn't move around, plus huge storage capacity for food, clothing, maps, etc. I don't find that either gets in the way, or significantly hinders cooling. I suppose it is true that on the road you generally don't have to be as self-supported, but when I go riding, I want to ride. Not stop at convenience stores every hour. I guess this is another one of those "personal preference" things, I just like to know everyone's reasoning behind their decision. I rode MTB for a long time with bottles. I really can't carry enough water, and drinking from a mud-covered bottle is unpleasant. Plus, my throat tends to get dry when I'm pushing hard, so taking sips from the Camelbak every few minutes helps a lot.

When I mentioned aerodynamics, I was thinking that the Camelbak might serve as a fairing to reduce wind resistance relative to a rider without one. This is just a guess. It would be similar to the fairings on some helmets, I'd imagine.

Mine:

I use a road specific CamelBak. (Rogue) Most roadies do not use CamelBaks simply because most roadies don't use CamelBaks.

I came over from MTB, so I figured I would just use my CamelBak MULE until I got used to the bike. After a little time on the road, I decided to stay with a CamelBak and I got the Rogue.

It has been windtunnel tested and actually improves aerodynamics. I doubt it is any amount that matter to most of us.

Most people that complain about the comfort, have only worn one once or twice. It is one of those things that you get used to, like a helmet, and don't even know it is there. Yes, the cooling thing is true, but you really don't notice after a couple rides.

The weight does not shift at all. It does not throw you off balance. Maybe if you had a 25 gallon one it would.

I have seen two people get carted off in ambulances from going down while drinking out of bottles in the last year. I have also had to dodge many dropped bottles. My group ride is huge (100+) and very fast, so this may be a factor of sheer numbers. However, I haven't had to dodge a CamelBak yet.

I like to have my phone, ID, some$$, spare tubes, multi tool and pump in the CamelBak. Not in my jersey pockets, or hanging off of my bike.

I also drink a little more than most when I ride, so two bottles won't do on my long rides. I don't want to stop at a convience store when I ride. If you do go long, the newer Camelbaks are fillable from the outside. You don't have to remove the bladder anymore.

Here is why MTBrs don't use bottles:
It is impossible to use a bottle while going over roots and ruts.
Water bottle nipples??? get covered with mud.
You can get sick from mud (with stagnent water or animal poop in it). Yes, people have gotten e-coli, campolobactor (sp), and other things.
Bottles just won't be there after severe roots or a rock garden.

Bottom line. Do what you are comfortable with. If you stay with a CamelBak, I would highly recommend a road type. The MTB ones do have noticable drag and weight compaired to the Rogue. The Rocket has a plastic frame inside to hold it up off of your back, but it weighs a ton.

If CamelBak made a carbon fiber model...

Hahaha... cant stop laughing....

a CF camelback...

Cant wait for CF bottles too