camelbak's

[roadiewill]

any good for long distance road riding or is it 'more roadie' to get a saddle bag and a couple water bottles?

 

[Steve Austin]

I wouldn't use one for long distance road riding, would get a bit hot and sweaty with one sitting on your back for a long time

 

[ASC1951]

I found I don't use my Camelbak at all. It was just the job to start with, but after a few months I got fed up with a hot and sweaty back. No need for a saddlebag packed with bottles: I just use one bottle in its traditional cage and re-fill it when it's getting low. There's always water available.

You can see an advantage to a Camelbak off road, where a frame mounted bottle gets covered in clart.

 

[mondobongo]

Last thing you want is all that weight on your back. Big days out two bottles one with an energy drink one with water you are never far from a refill in this day and age. Small saddlebag for tube and bits, jersey pockets for food and a spare layer or waterproof jobs a good un.

 

[Panter]

I used to use one on my commute but, as above, I got too fed up with a sweaty back and just carry 2 bottles instead.

I still use it on the MTB though, its a harder to lose on a violent descent and I get through a lot more fluid MTBing.

 

[wafflycat]

The only use my offspring has found for one, in relation to cycling, is using one on a long time trial, where he wants to be able to keep hydrated, yet still keep aero on the bike. So he's sometimes worn a small camelbak under his skinsuit. But even then, it's not ideal as it does lead to a sweaty, uncomfortable back.

Where he found one of great use was when he spent a couple of weeks in the Egyptian desert, on a conservation project. Walking for several hours at a time, in the desert, means keeping hydrated was a serious business. A camelbak had a very real use then, as the bladder was kept within his backpack, with the tube coming over his shoulder and he could sip as required, with ease, whilst being hands-free.

 

[Keith Oates]

I agree with the above comments, I find that water bottles are good and with some careful 'look out' can be replenished en route with no bother!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[User482]

I much prefer using a camelbak to water bottles. They only weigh a couple of kilos or so when full, so the weight's hardly an issue.

 

[Withnail]

I prefer to use a Camelbak especially for long rides; I want to be riding, not worrying about where my next 0.75l of water is coming from! Never been bothered about a sweaty back either, I tend to find I sweat anyway when on the bike - it's meant to be exercise innit?!

 

[Fab Foodie]

Last thing you want is all that weight on your back. Big days out two bottles one with an energy drink one with water you are never far from a refill in this day and age. Small saddlebag for tube and bits, jersey pockets for food and a spare layer or waterproof jobs a good un.

ditto.
Longer unsupported day rides then I use a Carradice Barley and an SQR mounting on my TCR1, works a treat....(I also like to carry a fair bit of food too ).

 

[LLB]

I've got one, and I don't like it. The taste with any drink in it is vile

I'd far rather use the bottle on the downtube, or get a 2nd bottle carrier

 

[Fixedwheelnut]

I used one on the Mersey Roads 24h TT mainly because I only had one bottle cage on the bike I was using but found it quite comfortable, either that or the discomfort I felt everywhere else masked it.

 

[Roger Livesy]

I ve been using one over the winter . Partly because the 2 bikes I use lack bottle cages , but also because I can keep everything in one bag and just pick the bag up and go. Otherwise its a fiddle.

Suprisingly, I like it. It may be different in the summer.