cvall91

I bought a pair back when I first started cycling over a year ago. They have aabout 7k miles on them and I think it's time to replace them. They started leaking probably a month ago, and it got worse. I have to close them extremely tight, and even then, I sometimes look down at my bike and notice the BB area is full of water. And today I just noticed they had a pretty bad stench in them. I know these aren't expensive and don't mind replacing them, but I was just curious how long they should last? Is a year a reasonable amount of time? Or are they suppose to last longer than that.

nastystang

Probably about due. I have about a year and a half and going strong but too many variables to say for sure as each person treats them different.

DerHoggz

How are you putting miles on bidons?

buffalowings

I would think they would last until they get run under a car (or bus) or cracked when they fall out of your cage.

cvall91

Well they've traveled those miles with me so I guess it's part of the miles. I've dropped these multiple times, especially when I first started riding and had a hard time putting my bottles back in it's cage during group rides. Even dropped one towards the front and made multiple cyclist run it over and almost fall (whoops). I will say that I've taken less care of them as I used to. I would usually rinse them well with dishwasher soap after every ride. But I switched from filling them with gatorade to plain water and assumed they didn't need much cleaning since it was only water.

aramis

I usually manage to lose mine somehow before they can get to the point of needing replacement.

If they're leaking, I'd get new ones.

fstshrk

Just call Camelback. They send spare parts for free.

Bacciagalupe

I've had mine over a year, no problems yet. I assume it should last for several more years.

If you take care of it, it shouldn't smell. You should be washing it regularly (e.g. in a dishwasher) and occasionally blasting it with bleach (e.g. denture tablets).

I recommend you get better bottle cages... or get a hydration pack. Dropping bottles repeatedly during group rides is dangerous for your fellow riders.

cvall91

I don't drop them anymore. I only used to do it when I first started riding. And this was with my first road bike, so I was really not used too the twitchy handling compared to my old vintage bike I was using. I think I just need to keep washing them like I used too before I got careless with them. Nevertheless, I threw one out and kept one just in case I ride tomorrow. Have been planning on buying new ones on Friday anyways.

jon c. 

I run mine through the dishwasher once a week. Still works fine after a couple of years. But if it ever started to become malodorous, I'd replace it immediately.

DerHoggz

Also if you keep some bottles to only water ever there is not a odor problem, just wash the others. When mine start getting scratched/dirty I get new ones, just for aesthetics though. They aren't terribly expensive.

cvall91

I only fill mines up with water which is why I don't bother washing them with soap anymore. I guess they wouldn't dry properly and after a while, they got that humid rotten bad smell when wet things don't dry properly. Don't really know how to explain it.

Dunbar

I empty my Podium Chill bottles as soon as I get back from a ride and let them air dry (top facing down, lid off) in the rack next to the sink. Never had an odor issue. I have one that's going on 2 1/2 years old and still works fine. You do need to tighten the lid pretty good to prevent leaks but my brand new one seems to do the same thing. BTW, I love the Chill model and couldn't go back to drinking warm water.

qcpmsame 

Using the regular Podium bottles for about 6 months now, no leaks or other problems with them. I wash mine after each use, in the dish washer, even though I am using water only in them. Its easy to place them in the washer and let them go, I keep extra to rotate them or to have two for longer rides. No odors or any other creatures growing in them for me.

Bill

Scorer75

They sent me two new lids...

https://www.camelbak.com/en/Sports-Re...y/Bottles.aspx

cvall91

Yea I use the chill and they've been fantastic. That's why I'm buying another one without a second though. Going from 25 oz to 21 though. Cheapest way to save some weight. And I really like the valve they use. Haven't tried any other but I'm a huge fan of them.

bianchi10

My first set lasted about a year but they developed some moldy inner parts that I couldn't clean no matter how detailed i got. My new ones have lasted over a year now and are much better because I make sure to empty them after each ride and dry them.

Lean back

I get a couple years out of them normally but I only put water in them. I also store the empty bottles in the bottom drawer of the refrigerator to prevent mold or mildew from forming. A tip I had seen in a running magazine. Works for hydration packs too.