Santa brought me a Camelbak - should I keep it?

[jefmcg]

Partner wanted to buy me bike kit, and wasn't sure what to get, so got me a camelbak (Rogue, 2010 model as far as I can tell, though it's definitely new). I've got two bottle cages on my bike and generally don't empty them. I tend to do plodding road cycling with coffee breaks, and just started Audaxing with my eye on London-Edinburgh-London in 2013 so I'll be covering quite a few miles next year.

I don't drink enough on rides (finished the DunRun without a comfort stop!) so maybe this will encourage me to drink more. On the other hand, I've got a carradice so I don't have to carry anything on my back. Also, it's not like I'm crossing the outback, I'm in south east England, where taps and shops are plentiful for topping up water.

Normally I'd give it a try and find out for myself, but of course you can't return it once you've used it.

Any opinions from users or people who gave up on camelbak.

 

[numbnuts]

I've been using one for years, yes you will get a sweaty back in summer, but get over it.
The main reason I have one it is so easy to have drink without trying to get the bottle out of the cage the mouth piece is right there for you convenience.
If you go off road bottles tend to get sh1t all over them, also in the winter I put warm fruit juice in and it stays warm for 2 hours, and in the summer I put in a freezer pack, cool drinks and cool back.
I have the blowfish camalbak
ps I also have one for my kayak that sit's on the foredeck

 

[ufkacbln]

I have one strapped to the back of the seat on the trikes.

You do tend to drink more due to the convenience

Far easier than a bottle

 

[Saluki]

I have a camelbak and love it. I use it for long walks with the dogs as well as for cycling. V handy.

 

[smokeysmoo]

I've had one since my MTB days, they're great when the alternative is a bottle covered in $hite from off road riding, but I haven't used it since switching to road bikes for the same reasons as User above.

 

[oldfatfool]

I use one when touring, nice to know you have a couple of ltr in reserve.

 

[Dave7]

I use mine when on the MTB (for the above reasons) but prefer bottles when on the road bike. Having read what I've just written it doesn't seem to hold up to logic....... but it always feels comfortable that way

 

[Easytigers]

I've been using one for years, yes you will get a sweaty back in summer, but get over it.
The main reason I have one it is so easy to have drink without trying to get the bottle out of the cage the mouth piece is right there for you convenience.
If you go off road bottles tend to get sh1t all over them, also in the winter I put warm fruit juice in and it stays warm for 2 hours, and in the summer I put in a freezer pack, cool drinks and cool back.
I have the blowfish camalbak
ps I also have one for my kayak that sit's on the foredeck

All of the above...plus I tend to like to drink water and squash/sports drinks on longer rides. Have a sports drink in the bottle and have a large supply of water when needed in the Camelbak (I drink like a fish when riding...and when in the pub!!!)

 

[Peteaud]

I use mine when on the MTB (for the above reasons) but prefer bottles when on the road bike. Having read what I've just written it doesn't seem to hold up to logic....... but it always feels comfortable that way

Same here

 

[Rob3rt]

I've had one since my MTB days, they're great when the alternative is a bottle covered in $hite from off road riding, but I haven't used it since switching to road bikes for the same reasons as User above.

Sounds like road cycling in Cheshire!

 

[Oldspice]

Don't you ever empty your bottles? that can't be healthy for you.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Camelbaks? They're crap. Ghastly things. If you use one you'll die.

I'll do you a favour and take it off you for £20

 

[jefmcg]

Thanks everyone.

I've decided I'll keep it and find out how i get on with it. I probably won't need until (if) it warms up in spring.

Though I've bonked (or something) on long - 50 km plus - rides, so maybe putting something sweet in there and drinking it constantly might be a good thing even in winter.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

if you're going to use anything sweet in it make sure you get a decent cleaning regime going, they do a good little kit and a bottle of Milton won't go amiss.

 

[stu1903]

I use one on the MTB but never on the road bike.