I have seen some backpacks that you can pour water right in to. I was wondering if anyone has one. If so what are the pros and cons?

They are great. My first hesitation was thinking they would be hot....exact opposite. Fill them with ice and they stay cool on your back. Plus it's easier than reaching for a bottle. Downside is they are not as easy to clean or keep clean as bottles.

I have a Camelbak and it makes my back sweat like mad... That's about the only real downside to carrying one. I don't have bottles mounted on my bike and the camelbak keeps the drink cooler longer than water bottles do. Plus the advantage of not having to reach down to grab the water bottle. On yesterday's group ride, someone's water bottle popped out of his cage and right under the tire of another rider, she crashed and then the person behind her had to bunny hop her wheel!

The popular brand is Camelbak. They will make your back sweat, they may make your shoulders sore depending on strap width, riding position, and how much water.. but I use one on all long rides so I dont have to stop and refill bottles or plan a route with refill points.

After using the second set of bottle mounts and getting pissed off again...I might get my timbuk2 fitted with a bladder pocket. Given it won't keep it nice and chilly, but it will get those cages off the bike, allowing me to fit something more useful in there, like a wedge pack to hold gel/wallet/keys/phone and stuff

I have the CamelBak Rocket, it keeps your back dry, it has nice straps, but its a bit pricey $70-80 (USD). I got it for winter time because the bottle would freese on me and have nothing to drink. It is also great for summer.

GEEK

I've got a Deuter backpack that comes with a drinking bladder. I rarely use the bladder, but I've been very happy with the backpack, which has padded rails to hold the body of the bag away from your body and allow for ventilation in hot weather...

I have the CamelBak Hydrobak (1.5L fluid) and it is quite light even with a full load of water. Doesn't have any other storage in it, though I usually manage to throw in a cliff bar and/or a couple gel packs in with the bladder. I usually run with the camelbak only for rides up to 20 miles, anything longer or any time it's really hot out I'll add 1 or two bottles depending on what bike I"m on and the refill situation.

The best thing about CamelBaks (and similar products) is that they get you to take small sips frequently. This is the most ideal as you're only replacing the water you are sweating and only when you need to. With water bottles you (well, I know I do this at least) typically don't drink as often, and take large gulps when you do. The problem with this is that it doesn't hydrate you as well, and it makes you pee.

I chose the GoLite Fruita backpack for its size as a commuter-sized hydration pack. It can hold a laptop, a pair of shoes and a few extras, but light enough to use comfortably on longer rides.

I have a camelbak classic. it doesn't make my back sweat, and there is a pocket to hide keys/gu/cliff bars/whatever in

I've got the camelbak rocket also, it's a huge step up from my old camelbak. Back stays dry, shoulders not sore. It's incredibly ergonomic, and they fixed every gripe i had with my old one. A tad more storage space in this one would be nice.

Here's a pic of the GoLite Fruita:

Ok I know camelbak makes drinking easier, but outside of that is there advantages to carrying the weight on your person instead of your bike?

a pound of water is still a pound of water.

well if you carry a backpack anyways, I guess you could consider it an overall weight reduction since you no longer use the bottle cages on your bike.


.....that is if 80grams is really worth that much to anyone here.

I have no experience with a camlebak, but I would think the restrictions or the movement on a body would play it's tole on a person after a while.

Something along the lines of kids, Carrying 30 lbs isn't bad until it is a kicking, screaming, wriggling 30 lb kid.

I find this thread interesting as I have a hybrid, and I am in the middle of choosing a rack/bag or backpack

IF a backpack wins out then the GoLite Fruita looks good. *shrugs* mean while I still drive to work once in a while so I just store clothes at work taken on the days I drive.

I use a messenger bag wherever I go, and don't find it a problem.

The thing is getting a bag that has some sort of cross-strap to keep it from flapping around.

Only thing I could ask for in my messenger bag is some padding on the backside of it, a u-lock pocket, and a pocket for a camelback bladder.

On a side note, I'm very tempted to buy a "han solo" for weekend rides...it might be annoying having a u-lock attatched to my pants like that, but it's better than using a large timbuk2 to carry a single u-lock.

I have no complaints about my Fruita, although it's a little costly. For an all-around pack, it's great. I actually have a blue/yellow one and it looks just as good.

I use a Camelback Rogue, 2 liters when full with pockets for a few other things. Not very heavy, comfortable fit, easy to fill, easy to use. Not much movement restriction while riding, but it is a back pack. Can get slightly sweaty under it, but nothing annoying. I use water only so I don't have to clean it often. If I take a sports drink, it goes in a separate bottle.

If you're that worried about weight, don't fill it up all the way.

I've got the Camelback but i forget which one it is. It's made so that there is this air-padding open cell foam thing between you and your back only at 4 points so as to minimize sweating. it works well. I sometimes fill it with weak gatorade and ice cubes. as others have said - harder to keep clean, a little heavier than 2 bottles but it has its place.

I have a Camelbak Rogue; use water only. I only use the Camelbak when I'll be out for 30+ miles or 2.5+ hours. Camelbak is great; I've had no issues with the weight or slighltly increase sweating under the pack.

Hope you noticed that Bobby Julich had one in the Saturday time trial on Saturday.

you can get just a camelpack, that are usualy insulated and hold only the water, or you can get a packpack that has a slot designed for a water resevoir bag (camelpack) and may, or maynot come with it. I have a 1.5 camelpack which i like anything bigger and it would be a little to heavy for my back. The insulated ones don't heat your pack, they cool it, although you will notice more sweat just cause there's no air flow under between your back and the pack so it just can't evaporate like the rest of your back.

as for the camelpack's on their own, they're pretty good, bobby julich used one in the TDF TT yesterday under his suite. Some of the hose ends can be kinda crappy and leak. I guess it depends on the ride, but i go back and forth between my camelpack and 1 or 2 bottles on the bike. The camel pack definitly keeps water cooler longer though.

I have one question. Is the weight in them a big factor or not?

This is way TOO fuji-cyclist for me!

EDIT: You just couldn't stay away... could you, 53-11**********