camelpak Vs bottles

[Medic6666]

As I always carry my backpak I went the camelpak way which has always done me well. I now have a road bike and was wondering is there any reason why road cyclists use bottles rather than camelpaks.

I have realised that over the weekends when I have been out on my mountain bike the road people I have seen never have backpaks only bottles and a small saddle bag.

I have been told that the main reason for bottles is so you can have different drinks on long runs but for me two bottles would never be enough.

Just curious on your opinions.

thanks

Karl

 

[RedBike]

I've always thought it's a mix of fashon and comfort.

Two bottles on the frame are a lot more comfortable than a heavy rucksack.

As for not having enough water. Just use 2x 1000ml bottles. That will give you 2L, the same as most MTBers have.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Wiggle_1000ml_Bottle/5360035536/

If you need more than that your probably better off stopping somewhere and re-filling them but you can buy extra racks or simply put a bottle in your back pocket.

 

[addictfreak]

Must admit when im on the MTB for a ride of a descent distance I always have my Camelbak. But on the road its always two bottles.

 

[Jonathan M]

If I wear a camelbak/rucsac on my road bike then the lower position means it bumps the back of my helmet - gets annoying. Also on a decent MTB ride there is little chance of getting further fluids anywhere, so self-sufficiency is important.

Road rides usually have more access to places to stop, caffs, petrol stations etc, so a couple of decent bottles can do the job.

Roadie saddle pack can be smaller, one spare road tube is much less space than 1 spare MTB tube, even with similar tools packed, on an MTB ride I often take 2 spare tubes, plus the mud flung up onto back of saddle means a saddle pack will usually be cr@p covered pretty quickly.

Agree though that there is a "fashion" thing to it to, the pro-peloton have not taken hydration packs seriosuly so most roadies have not either.

 

[lukesdad]

anything over 100 miles i take the bacpack on the road as well as bottles.

 

[wafflycat]

Bottles for me. Two bottle cages I can carry 2ltrs. I'll have enough measured out isotonic powder with me for a further two ltrs - just get the water when out. Never had a tea stop refuse to fill my water bottles for me.

I find a Camelbak gets the back sweaty & horrible.

 

[lukesdad]

Bottles for me. Two bottle cages I can carry 2ltrs. I'll have enough measured out isotonic powder with me for a further two ltrs - just get the water when out. Never had a tea stop refuse to fill my water bottles for me.

I find a Camelbak gets the back sweaty & horrible.

get yourself a vango with the air blast system.

 

[wafflycat]

Quite happy with bottles, ta.

 

[Medic6666]

Cool thanks all for your replies.

Just out of curiosity...if on road bikes you dont carry a pac where do you put everything.

I would never have room in my saddle bag for all I take with me :S

 

[MajorMantra]

For road riding I have a tube, tools, patch kit and keys in my small saddle bag. 2 bottles and a pump go on the frame and everything else (phone, food, extra clothing) goes in my jersey pockets.

The bent over position on a road bike means that rucksacks aren't especially convenient or comfortable. I wear one to go to uni or the shops but those are very short journeys.

Matthew

 

[wafflycat]

Depends how long I'm planning to be out as to what sort of size pack of accessories - hence is it the small rack pack or the large rack pack or the saddle bag or the rax box, or the panniers... decisions, decisions

 

[purplepolly]

Yesterday I got everything into my new 2.7 litre ortlieb handlebar bag, an all-time light travelling record for me. That included inner tube, levers, spanner, allen keys, tissues, suntan lotion, purse, keys, glasses and 500ml water bottle which I got filled up at a cafes and a pub.

If I need to take waterproofs or warm clothing, or food, I take a pannier but I would never use a backpack. Can't see the point in being encumbered like that when I could just fasten something to the the bike.

 

[numbnuts]

I use only a camalbac, as in the summer I can keep drinks cold and in the winter a warm drink is so much better

 

[simon_brooke]

Cool thanks all for your replies.

Just out of curiosity...if on road bikes you dont carry a pac where do you put everything.

I would never have room in my saddle bag for all I take with me :S

Then take less.

I have a bar bag I use then commuting and touring; it contains cereal bars, buffs and (sometimes) spare base layer, emergency blanket, lock, gas inflator, cartidges for same, cable ties, gaffer tape, cord, and (sometimes) a waterproof jacket. It also has my map holder useful on longer jaunts. But I don't take that when I'm just out for a run, and never on my race bike.

Bottle cages and pump are mounted on the frame on each bike, spare tube, tyre levers, multi tool, hand cleaning wipes and spare contact lens container are in the underseat pouch on each bike.

Wallet, phone and lightweight waterproofs go in pockets.

 

[Medic6666]

Thats proberly where I am going wrong. My saddle bag is only used for money, phone and keys. I carry everything else in my camelpak as I dont like riding with things attached to my frame. Even the pump is in the bag.

But I havent road biked for a long time now i'll check around and see what bags I can get and try and guess what to fit in them.

Edit: Would you recommend a handlebar bag or a couple of bags to attach to the frame. I was thinking perhaps this one
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Ortlieb_Ultimate_5_Plus_Bar_Bag/5360028244/