SugarPILL

Any one working or ridding with one of the camel backs, I was thinking of getting just the camels bladder for my bag, but didn't know if it would hold up with out breaking... any of you using them?

lima_bean

Just when mountain biking.

Cynikal 

That might be a good use for the flap of a bag. That way you don't get a squirt in the face every time you hit a bump.

geoGraphicFTD

I like mine. very convenient. I have a small one, just holds the bladder, can't fit much else in it. originally got it to fit under my jacket while skiing.

EastBayHooligan

I've used them. They work fairly well and hold up pretty good. A little squeeze of lemon will keep them from smelling and tasting funky over time.

huerro

I use one on summertime outings on the geared roadie. I never go more than about 25 miles on the fixie, so I don't bother.

I think they're great. I would only put H2O in there though. They are a PITA to clean out, alhtough I hear denture tabs work great, though I've never tried them.

BeerBiker

I use them. I hate bottles because they get warm in no time flat and taste terrible after that. Camelbacks stay cool for hours, even on the hottest day if you add lots of ice.

Mark

DDYTDY

I use a Camel Back both road and off, fixed, Free,..hiking..... I friend of mine just bought the bladder to put in his back pack. it works out good for him.

I rinse it out every day and dry with paper towels then loosely stuff with paper towel and hang to dry to avoid funk.

Lemon sounds like a good plan too.

I'veGotABikeSyd

I use mine for carrying my locks around. My Kryptonite u-lock fits perfectly in the front zip pocket with the lock in the bottom and the u-shape of the bar following the contour of the u-shape camelback pocket -- fits like a glove. I also throw my front wheel small chain lock in their as well....

When I take longish rides (20m or more) I typically leave the locks out and use it for water. Works really well, albeit a bit of a sweat factory laying on your back as it does.

ryanlovesyou

I have a Camelback HAWG that I originally used for mountain biking. I just started using it on the road and its great. Its a pretty big bag. If I'm going to use it on a long ride on the road, I'll put water in it, but usually I just use it as a backpack. When I use it on the trails, I'll usually fill it with a water and Gatorade mix to give it some flavor but keep it from being sticky. I've found the trick is to keep the bladder in the freezer in between rides. I've never had a problem with mold or it tasting funky or anything.

Gurgus

All the time. I like to throw some spare tubes, some tools, my wallet, keys, cellphone and whatall else in there. Good place for locks, too.

DDYTDY

"I've found the trick is to keep the bladder in the freezer in between rides. "

Thanks for the tip!

Psydotek

I use a camelbak. I have a larger and smaller one which for long or short rides or if i'm commuting. Also gives me a place to carry my 15mm wrench.

Suttree

camelbacks blacken the skies like arrows at thermopylae

--oh, i have one--it's useful on occasion.

zippered

both my packs can accomodate camel-back bags, but i find it's just too much weight on my neck and shoulders. really annoying to find water fountains to re-fill my bottle, especially on days like today, but i was able to go 60kms and am not in agony.

my partner uses one all the time and today while we were refilling some kid was all like "what's thaaaat for?"... which wasn't as bad as the parent who remarked "gee why ride here, there's nothing around" (as if a beautiful day outside isn't enough)

wouldn't freezing the bags make the plastic degrade faster?

ryanlovesyou

It might, but I've had mine for about five years now and its still working fine. My father and stepmother do this as well and none of us has had any problems.

Sekt

I've got a HAWG that I use on the mountain bike, it's great. I'd love to have something I could slip into my messenger bag, but it would involve sewing in a pocket, and that's a bit much for me.

zippered

well shiver me timbers! good to know

brinskan

into the freezer my bladder goes...

BoSoxYacht

I have 2 Camelbaks(Classic 70 oz. + Ventoux 100 oz.) The Ventoux is used for mountain biking or getting my groceries. The Classic is used for my IRO which has only 1 bottle mount + summer rides on my geared bike.

Sometimes it's over 115 degrees when I have time to ride. The bottles carry water to dump on my head and the Camelbak keeps my drinking water cool for as long as needed.

westyman

I have one but its not to great on the long road rides, its just to clumsy and such.

Aeroplane

I have a lobo that I've been using for the past year for MTBing, been meaning to replace it with a Mule at some point. Works well enough for that.

During the summer, I will take the bladder out and throw it in my Bailey Works for races and longer rides with people where I've got my bag with me. It's nice because my frame has no bottle bosses, and I don't have to worry about having bottles or cages or anything stolen when I lock up. Plus, it's a lot easier to drink from that little tap thingy in the city than reach into the frame/into one of those ugly tri-seat-bottle cages. And I already have it, so it's cheaper than the other options.

The bladder is super-tough. It will not tear from being in your bag unless you are carrying sawblades, knives, or caltrops around in there.

ryanlovesyou

I had one catastrophic Camelback bladder failure, about a week and a half into a backpacking trip in New Mexico. I had the bladder in my pack, but I guess one of the poles of my frame punched a hole in it. I had about 50 more miles to hike out with just my backup nalgene. It sucked.

mrtn

The new camelbak series have a tougher bladder and it looks and feels stronger than the older ones. I use a Blowfish for mtb-ing but not for commuting because my spare clothes, food etc. don't fit in. It fits on my back like a glove and the quality of the bag is great too.

kemmer

I use one on my MTB cause it's sometimes tough to manage drinking from water bottles off road. On the road, water bottles are just fine for me and I don't mind the water getting hot.

If you do want to keep your water cold in a hydration pack, get it wet. The evaporation will keep the water nice and cold. That's why canteens generally have a canvas cover or lining on the outside.

*off to design a water bottle with a canvas cover.