jefnvk

I've got a 6L Dromelite. It works nice, fits far more places than a bottle because it is far more flexible. Yeah, it wasn't cheap, but the utility of it quickly got me over spending the money.

It went into the dry bag with my sleeping bag in Iceland, packed at the top so it was easily accessible.

Aushiker

Thanks for the reminder ... Cyclewerks in New Zealand sell a bottle cage double adaptor which might be an option for some.

ricrunner

Aushiker, thanks for your input, I will look at one of those Ortlieb bladders. I know you have travelled extensively in the arid outback of Australia, so you would know what bladders to have for these type of tours. I have been following your travel blogs on Aussie sites for a few years, so you do know what you're talking about. I have only been back touring these past 2 years in OZ, but prefer the outback for the less traffic that is out there, and I don't have a fear that my dog will be run over in his trailer as I do here locally in the New England NSW, Thanks everyone for their comments.

Aushiker

To be honest I only went with the Ortlieb because at the time I couldn't easily get MSR Dromedary bags at a reasonable price in Australia due to their restrictive trade practices. That said based on experience and my usage I wouldn't get the MSR bags today as I find the straps on the Ortlieb water bags much more functional. Sea to Summit also have bags called Sea to Summit Pack Water Tap Bladder. Again the lack of straps/handles means they do not work well for me.

djb

Andrew, are the two handles of the ortlieb more handy for you because odd being able to hang it vertically easier from something in use, or more handy to properly secure it to a bike rack?
The msr ones do have narrow shoelace type straps that go along both sides.

Just wondering your views.

Yan 

I use the 10L MSR Dromedary bag. I loop the chord over my seat and place the bag on top of the rear rack.

Leebo

Maybe there are no bars in the desert or the middle of nowhere?

Leebo

OP, got fork mounts for over sized cages? Look at topeak modula cages or the salsa anything cages. 2 L nalgenes fit. Got a frame bag for a bladder? Lots of options.

Caretaker

Sorry my mistake, I read Spain for Spring in the OP.
I had Spain on the brain.

jonc123

"It would also be possible to purchase bottled water and save something like 60$ on bladders that will rarely be used afterwards."

I think you answered your own question. Don't go and buy some stuff you'll never use again. Go to the grocery store and look at water bottles, soda bottlles, etc. Some are tougher than others.

Aushiker

I like the handles on the Ortlieb because they allow me to easily attach the bladder to the rack. I can look the straps on each side of the rack and then cinch it down. I find it does pretty well holding the bladder in place. I am sure the MSR could be used in a way to do the same thing.

Also being able to hang the bladder on tree, bike etc is handy at times.

djb

Thanks, always interested in hearing about details from folks about stuff they 've used out in the real world, and the pros and cons.

rifraf

It was water carrying duty here in Australia that saw me grab an Extrawheel trailer.

Two 1.5 litre Nalgene bottles on the bike and two 10 litre Ortlieb bladders in the trailer although, I'm becoming more disposed toward carrying the water in the bikes rear panniers and utilising the trailer for the light and bulky stuff that would have otherwise gone on the bike (for improved trailer handling).

This does leave me a little concerned about the weight over my rear wheel however so nothing cast in stone at the mo.

I'm toying with the idea of doing away with the Nalgenes and getting a frame bag with a water bladder.
Worrying about how this might affect bike handling is whats holding up this decision.

chrisx

Frame bag gives the best handling, low on a rigid fork also works well.


$39.95, ouch