Camelbak ?

[YMFB]

Do many people use the vest type Camelbak with bladder ?

What are the pros and cons, other than it frees up space on the bike and increases your drink volume?

My buddy at the Loch Ness Etape had one, I had two x 750 ml bottles. I had cramp at 57 miles and probably hadnt drunk enough. I could and should have taken on more at the rest stations I wonder if I’d had the a vest with feeding tube i might have found it easier to drink enough.

Comments gratefully received.

 

[si_c]

Depends. I don't have a vest type camelbak per se, but I do use a regular backpack water bladder on MTB rides - better than a bottle as gets less crap on it. Don't usually use them on road rides though - I take a couple of 1L bottles with 3 high5 tabs in each and refill at every opportunity unless the weather is very hot and I'm unsure of where I may get water in which case I may take one.

 

[figbat]

As above, I use one when on the MTB but not on the road, instead using bottles than I refill when needed. On the MTB there are much fewer opportunities to refill a bottle, plus I carry tools and such in the same backpack.

 

[wakemalcolm]

What are the gravel riders doing: putting a bladder in a frame bag?

 

[fossyant]

What are the gravel riders doing: putting a bladder in a frame bag?

Bottles. Not everyone has a frame bag, scratches the paint

 

[VinSumRox]

Bottles on the road, I find any sort of backpack makes me even sweatier than usual!

 

[Profpointy]

I use something similar for hiking. I need a rucksack anyway, so a bladder thingy with a sucky pipe is less faff than stopping to get a bottle out. Don't like rucksacks on a bike, so would take a bottle. My stretchy plastic bottle cages will take a big mineral water bottle. For my kind of cycling I'm more than happy to take a breather if having a drink so not worried about stopping

 

[simongt]

Looked at getting a Camelback some years ago, but decided that with the necessary regular cleaning / sterilising schedule vs. simple bottles, they just weren't worth the effort and expense.
Plus I don't like riding with anything on my back unless absolutely necessary.
But of course, each to their own preference.

 

[figbat]

Looked at getting a Camelback some years ago, but decided that with the necessary regular cleaning / sterilising schedule vs. simple bottles, they just weren't worth the effort and expense.
Plus I don't like riding with anything on my back unless absolutely necessary.
But of course, each to their own preference.

I rarely clean mine - I only ever put water in it and it is used 2-3 times a week so gets a constant throughput. When I do take the bladder out it is spotless and I’ve never suffered any ill effects after several years of such behaviour. If I need energy drink or electrolytes it goes in a bottle.

 

[Flite]

I rarely clean mine - I only ever put water in it and it is used 2-3 times a week so gets a constant throughput. When I do take the bladder out it is spotless and I’ve never suffered any ill effects after several years of such behaviour. If I need energy drink or electrolytes it goes in a bottle.

Same here, but I don't use mine as frequently, so I put it in the freezer between uses.

 

[oxoman]

Have a camelback rucksack type for offroad mtb, bottles for road and most gravel, apart from long distance stuff like the dirty reiver. I also have a vest that can take a bladder and 2 pouch bottles which I use for running. The bladder when not in use gets cleaned and stuck in the freezer till required. Never had an issue and have been doing it this way at least 10yrs.