mtn.cyclist

I started using Geigerrig bladders last summer. You pressurize them with a pump and the water sprays into your mouth. No trying to suck water and air at the same time!
https://www.geigerrig.com/

ThermionicScott 

A buddy of mine likes his VelEau. Humorous review here: https://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/...sibly-imagine/

carfart

I haven't used a Camelbak in years but did some long rides last year with a Nathan running vest and a UD Wasp. Having front pockets or pouches is really convenient if you don't have a handlebar bag.

CanadianBiker32

I mainly use Camelback for MT biking even long distance mt bike events, when on road bike its all bottles, looks better

rusheleven

and we all know that how you look is at least 90% of the game


I'm a water bladder guy. I forget to drink if all I have is bottles.
For mtb its a CB Mule NV
for road its a CB Classic
for gravel its either of the above depending on distance and/or a bladder in my frame bag with the cable routed around the handlebars! (this is my favorite set up)

jrickards

I like my 3L (100 fl oz) Hydrapak because

• it is very convenient and carries a lot of water (~4 bottles)
• it is easy for me to grab the straw
• I can sip several times without letting go of the straw
• my hand only needs to release my handlebars shortly to put the straw in my mouth
• I can drop the straw without my hands
• I don't have to bend down or back to get the straw, it is right by my chest
• I can store other stuff in the pack such as keys, small wallet, sunblock, etc.

On my ride out to camp, the last 28km (1hr30min+) on a hot, summer day, on which there are no water stops, some areas of soft sandy gravel, other areas of washboard road, close passing cars pulling boats on trailers, it is good to have a water supply that I don't need to move my hands or shift my body much to get at or put away.

Graupel731

Nice rig!! Sorry, I have to ask, what kind of bike/bike frame is that and what is the blank "bar" under the top tube?

grncab97

I wear a camelbak if I'm going to ride longer than 80 miles or if I'm going to be riding where there is no water. I don't have a problem with it being too heavy but boy does it make my back sweaty. Still I never ride a double century without one.

MikeRides

I wear a camelback, but only on longer rides (25+ miles). I have no problem with the added weight on my back, on a hot day I actually find it cooling. Speaking of cooling, I find the temperature of water in the camelback to stay cold longer than the water bottle mounted to my rack. It also helps that my camelback doubles as a backpack, that I can store my keys, wallet, granola bars, and anything else I may need or pick up along the way.

bikemig 

You fill the bladder with ice and you are drinking cold water for much of your ride. That is a really big deal esp. in the right kind of climate. I grew up in Louisiana and summer rides there are a challenge with the heat and high humidity. Camelbacks made a big difference in comfort level on a ride. Up north where I live now and it's not so humid, I don't use camelbacks as often. Still they're hard to beat for a long ride.

BikeSag

The only time I have ever used a Camelback is for off road. This allows me to drink and ride wile keeping both hands on the bars. I am mostly ride on the road and prefer the water bottle. Shower Pass has a hydration system that fits under the saddle with a tube and bite valve like other hydration systems use. Here is a link for more info https://www.showerspass.com/about-veleau

HooKooDooKu

I'm not a long distance rider (nor a competitor rider). But I hbecause ave done both road riding and mountain bike riding. When road riding, water bottles were "good enough" because you could reach and pickup the bottle while you keep riding.

But on a mountain bike, the trail (at least the ones I was on) was too rough to take your hands off the handle bars except for a moment... too short a time to pick up a water bottle, drink, and replace it. That basically meant that on a mountain bike, I could not get a drink unless I stopped.

So even with some of it's negatives, a camelback became a requirement to be able to drink on the go.

jjames1452 

I needed a new bladder for my Camelback and put off buying it. It is cool in Ohio now, and I figured I would survive with a water bottle for a while. 1. Going to a water bottle when riding is a PITA. I don't drink as often - so I cramp more. 2. My water bottle fell out of the holder when I did not put it back properly. I ran over it and almost wrecked.

I paid 2x the price of the bladder at a sporting goods store just so I would have it for this morning's ride!
Wrecking my bike would cost a bunch more than the $15 too much I paid for the bladder. Thank goodness I have my Camelback back!

fietsbob

I'm not everybody, I could Care Less.

2 bikes I had a Hand in Designing all have places for 4 water bottle cages.

oldskoolwrench

I've used a CamelBak since they first arrived on the scene; first for dirt bikes, then for cycling. To be honest, I carry both... the CamelBak because it holds enough water and basic gear for a day ride like a century, and the water bottle comes in handy for dousing the head on a hot day, tending to an injury on the road, deterring the canine nipping at your heels, etc.

photogravity

To ask why everyone likes Camelbaks is sort of funny, because I don't think that everyone likes them. With that stated, I like them just fine when hiking, but I do NOT like them when I'm riding on a bicycle. I know plenty of folks who use them when they ride their bicycles, but I find them quite uncomfortable when I'm riding.

alexaschwanden

I like their water bottles, works perfectly.

unterhausen

I just started using a hydration pack, and I have to say it works really well for long distances. I got 100 miles into my most recent ride before I ran out of water. Unfortunately, I still ran out of water.