dwmckee

I see so many folks use camelbacks and I'd like to get a better understanding of why. Common sense says to me that I would not want all of that weight on my back and I'd also not want the ventilation blocked on my back underneath it. But I also have never actually tried a Camelback. Can some folks weigh in here about their experiences pro and con of one? Also, any idea what percent of distance riders use them?

Your comments much appreciated.

Don

Machka 

You have to try them to understand.

For one thing, that "ventilation blocked" thing you brought up is not an issue. In fact, a camelbak is nice on a hot day because it keeps your back cool.

And having the cold water right there is quite handy. They are also a decent option for carrying water on long remote rides.

However, the reason I don't use a camelbak very often, and definitely not on really long rides, is that the weight of the camelbak on my shoulders gave me some serious issues on the Last Chance 1200K.


My impression is that quite a small percentage of long distance riders use camelbaks.

pilate7004

Another way to use it is to put the bladder into a larger back pack, if you need to carry extra gear as well.

Homeyba

I take mine on long brevets but I don't wear it all the time for the very reason mentioned by Machka. When I don't need it I strap it to my rear rack. When it's really hot or you have a long distance between water stops they are invaluable.

Machka 

Not the best idea for a really long ride. Weight on your shoulders can cause some serious issues after quite a number of hours in the saddle.

Another way to use the camelbak is to strap it to your rack or to the top of your trunk bag. Let your bicycle do the heavy lifting.

unterhausen

People who have hydration packs don't run out of water very often. I don't know why I haven't bought one, water can easily be the biggest issue on a long ride in the summer.

zonatandem

On our tandem we have room for 7 water bottles.
We live in the Arizona desert and prefer not to have the weight on our backs while riding.
We actually partially freeze our bottles when riding in summer (yes, 100+ degrees).
Let the bike do the carrying . . .
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

DXchulo

I have one, but don't use it very often. My main issue with it is that I do a lot of standing while climbing and the Camelbak isn't comfortable in that situation and makes a lot of noise. I'd probably get used to it if I made myself wear it long enough, but I prefer to just put a 3rd bottle in a jersey pocket if I'm going to need extra water. It does get warm and dry here in the summer, but 3 bottles is usually enough to get me to the next campground or gas station.

The Camelbak is good for winter riding. If I put it under my jacket it won't freeze as easily as a water bottle. I don't do much climbing in the winter, so it doesn't bother me as much. It's also great for hiking.

prathmann

I don't wear a Camelback for the reasons mentioned by the OP - I find it causes back pains by the end of the day. But I do sometimes use a Camelback bladder inside my handlebar bag when touring. The extra insulation inside the bag lets me have cold water all day long.

catonec 

I use one (plus 2 bottles) when I know Im going to be riding in the woods all day and not near any stores but on the road 2 24oz bottles are enough for a 3 hour ride. Plus I could always get more at multiple places along my 47 mile loop.

Carbonfiberboy 

I'll take mine when it's going to be a long way, like 50 miles, between controls or water sources and it's going to be hot. A lot of climbing is a given. Two liter bottles plus a 70 oz. Camelbak is about right for those conditions. I just wear it on my back, empty, when I don't need it, 'cause I don't have a rack when I'm randoing on my single. We don't do crazy stuff like that on the tandem.

maxine

I don't use mine as much as I used to, because if at all possible I would rather have my bike than my body carry weight. But another minor advantage that I don't think has yet been mentioned is that when you are clawing up that umpteenth big climb at the end of a looong day, and you're beginning to get stupid tired, it's just so much *easier* to pop that conveniently nearby hose into your mouth for a swig. No reaching down to wrestle a bottle out of a cage, and then again to get it back in there when you're done.

Pug

I have a 100 oz Camelbak. Use it primarily in the summer. I'm a clyesdale size rider and I go through a lot of water when it's warm outside. For example, a 24 oz water bottle will last about 1 hour. On a long ride the Camelbak saves me the trouble of having to stop for water. Since the bladder is insulated it keeps water cold long after water bottles go warm, too. The Camelbak also has storage for extra food/snacks, another spare tube & CO2, and a light rain jacket. My back definitely feels it the first few times I use each season then I adjust and it's not uncomfortable.

CoMotionRider

I use it on my Tandem. I can carry 5 water bottles on that bike, but it is hard for me to get to the bottles to drink, so I don't drink as often as I should.
On my other bikes (singles) I will wear it when it is really hot out, I put ice in it and the water stays cold longer and keeps my back cool and I find I drink more when I wear it than using the bottles. The camelback I find makes it very simple to get a drink

StephenH

Before I had my Camelbak, I would have two 24 oz bottles on the bike, two 32 oz bottles in a trunk bag. But that also meant I had to stop and transfer water every few miles.

With a 100 oz Camelbak and two bottles on the bike, I'm good for about 30 miles in the heat of summer. Get me a bike with 6 bottle holders and I don't guess I'd need the Camelbak.

I learned long ago that some people sweat more than others, so how much you need to drink can be completely different from what someone else needs.

Usually, I use the Camelbak for water and the botttles for Gatorade, etc.

unterhausen

one time in Utah I went through 5 water bottles in less than 30 miles. I was so dehydrated I had to make the call of shame.

cheg

I use a camelback on rides through remote places like the Colorado High Country 1200k. 60 to 80 miles between towns was typical. I carried 2 large bottles with Perpetuum and a camelback. I was never sorry I had it. I don't enjoy wearing it but it's better than running out of water.

I started out on PBP wearing one but soon realized that there was little chance of running out of water because so many townspeople were standing by the road offering to fill your bottles!

lhbernhardt

I don't use a Camelback because I am the camel.

I just have one bottle cage on my fixie. Used one large bottle for PBP, refilling at the controls, no problem (but the 2011 ride was pretty cool).

On my long rides last year (three California Triple Crown double-centuries), one bottle was sufficient between rest stops, even at a warm Davis and Knoxville. But when I arrive at the rest stops, I do tend to slam down a cold Coke pretty fast!

And on my winter rides up here in the cool Pac NW, I've even taken off the bottle cage. No bottle at all for rides up to 3 hours (80 km). Usually I just forget to bring one...

Luis

Yo Spiff

I drink more frequently because the valve is so conveniently located. In cooler weather, I may just take a bottle on shorter rides. However, I've noticed I drink less when I have to fumble with the bottle. That's more of an issue when riding in a group.

It also has a bit of storage if I am wearing a jersey or shirt without rear pockets. (I have a 2010 Lobo) My phone goes in the upper compartment right behind my head where I can hear even the light dingle of a text message.

Weight isn't an issue. I notice the pack at first if I've done riding without it recently, but it disappears very quickly.

benajah

For me it's pretty ride-specific. I prefer bottles so I can better measure my fluid and perpetuem like product intake, but I'll use a camelbak if I feel like I need that much water.
I did see an interesting product on the camelbak website, a flow meter for the hose. Seems you can measure how much you are drinking. Might check it out.

Barrettscv 

I'll use a seatpost mounted water bottle cages and frame mounted cages to carry enough water for 4 hours.

benajah

Yeah that's a good location. Also under the downtube, it's really easy to attach an extra bottle cage with hose clamps from the hardware store (I've only found metal ones with the right metal tabs though).
On my MTB I have two bottles in the normal spots, one under the downtube, and can fit a fourth, 20 ounce bottle on my seat post right under my saddle. It's awkward to get out and in but it does fit.
wont work on a road bike fork, but Salsa makes cages that can clamp on a MTB fork as well. I've never tried them though.

LucF

I use a Camelback 70 oz /2 L Antidote reservoir inside my frame with a tube extension to reach the handlebar. Couldn't stand to have it on my back for long distances. It holds about 3 big water bottles and by the time I have to refill (every 3 hours usually) a 1.5 L water bottle will top it up nicely.

Bekologist

Like many other posters, have never enjoyed any weight on my back over a long days ride. However, this fall I picked up a LW Osprey hydration pack for this seasons endurance off-road rides and will give them another fighting chance.

For road riding I prefer to let the bike carry the water whenever possible, or at least as much as possible.

Iditabikers (dialing up the way-back machine to its inaugural) and endurance offroad rigs commonly use waterbottles mounted to the fork. I've snapped a couple of fork mounted bottle cages on gravel roads when using them to carry full liters, but fine when there's 20 ounce bottles or when riding low vibrational snow or pavement.


Here's one of my old drop bar endurance rigs set up with a gallon of water on the bike. Room for another under the downtube. I could have added two liters behind the seat like barretscv, but didn't need to.

indoors and native

If your bike's outfitted like Barretscv's Soma, finding a way to mount a water bottle AND your pump on the seattube brazeons can lessen a persons' need to use a camelbak. I've also often considered customizing the braze-on spacing on a frame to maximize bottle fit. Three in triangle, one below downtube in this size of frame.

ythe1300

Is there a good under saddle cage anyone would recommend, I ride a 50cm frame so there isn't really any extra room in the triangle. I have seen a few of these but they all look a bit flimsy.