Camelbak - advice please

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Being a novice to the world of hydration, other than the odd bottle, I'm investigating the possibility of a camelbak thingy for long distance time trials

Excuse the language, but do you need to get a bladder? and a backpack thing to hold it?

Any makes better? need around 2-3 litres

Ta

[Robert]

Any make will do, the whole ruck sack and bladder come together, try bike plus, thats where I got my large one from. They certainly won`t break the bank. You could do a Lawrence Harding and ride with only a bladder... though it looked abit like an unatural growth when he started the race, by the end it was trying to pop out of his skin suits leg. He rides with an aero bottle these days.

[Jon H]

I tried using one and didn't really get on with it. If you're using an aero helmet, the camelback can prevent the pointy bit of the helmet sitting where it should between your shoulder blades. The other thing I didn't like is that you don't know how much you're drinking and how much is left, whereas with bottles you know exactly what's what.

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Thanks
The problem is that I cannot attach a bottle cage to the TT bike.

May change to anoher bike altogether?

[Dominic]

If it's for long distance TTing I would say use the most comfortable bike you have got.

I will be using my Ribble complete with triple chainring and Brooks saddle as I don't think I could ride more that 50 miles on my TT bike.

[higg]

Things that might be useful ...

For long distance I use a single bottle of water and a 2 litre camelbak of powdered drink.

I find the plain water useful when my stomach starts complaining about all that carbohydrate.

3 litres of water is not an insignignificant weight to put on your back.

"Camelbak" bladders have a large lid which makes cleaning and drying easier than other makes. They new ones also have shut-off valves on the mouthpiece which stops your drink leaking all over the car when your driving to the start.

I've never tried but I would think sweat and condensation would make short work of any sticky tape solution to fixing it to your back. I would guess you would need to sew a "pocket" into the back of your jersey to hold it in place (or get the rucksack-type thing).

It is different than drinking from a bottle. It is more a case of sipping often whereas with a water bottle you can squeeze the bottle and drink a lot more in one go.

[Tamar Collis]

Some riders use bottle cages mounted on their seat post if the frame cannot take them - or simply as additional fluid if riding unsupported. You can get ones that hold two bottles. I would go for that rather than a bladder....unless you like your drink at body temperature. Another advantage of bottles is on a 100 + race you can get fresh bottles from your support team whereas bladder would not be so easy to replace!

[John Czernobay]

Like with all plumbing, the main thing is to keep it clean ; there a great book written about a cyclist following the TdF route, but he unfortunately went down with a bacteriol infection due to all the bugs growing in the camalbak . Lovely.

[richv]

Paul in an attempt to slow you down a bit I will try and dig out my camelbak and bring it along tomorrow which you are welcome to borrow and try in a few races Just have to remember what i did with it after giving up on using it as a bad idea

Alternatively you could take a drill to your frame. Must be room for two bottles along the top, and a couple of aero bottles will probably save you 16 seconds

[Dombo]

[quote="John Czernobay"]Like with all plumbing, the main thing is to keep it clean ; there a great book written about a cyclist following the TdF route, but he unfortunately went down with a bacteriol infection due to all the bugs growing in the camalbak . Lovely.

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Thanks to Richard for the "loan" of a suitable device . Tried to use it on Sunday but failed miserably . It was OK standing upright or sitting on bike in upright position as if riding to the shops, but in aero tuck the force of gravity applying to the quantity of water meant a constant spurt of water unless I rode along one handed with my little pinky over the end.

Perhaps that's how Richard intends to slow me down

Thread suggests a valve thing on the end. ....note to self to try and get one

[John the old'un]

In the paragliding world we have been using smaller camelback type hydration systems which would easily fit into the rear pocket of your top. I am sure one of these would fit your needs. If you are interested I can let you know where to source one of these.

[Steve W]

You can get a bladder, which is the same gubbings as a camelback without the cumbersome rucksack in the camping shop in St Georges Walk. They come in various sizes. I got one a while ago but hav'nt tried it out yet.

The thought of a litre of liquid slopping around in my back pocket has put me off the idea. You also need a top that either has a single back pocket or some have three (Exteondo etc.) which are open at the bottom so a bladder can fit through.

I think this is more useful in the winter months under an extra layer.

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Thanks John, that would be useful.

Steve, I'll swing by St georges Walk PM

Thanks

Paul

[John the old'un]

The website details for a platypus system plus spare parts is :

http://www.northern-paragliding.com/onl ... llast-136/

Not sure if this is the same as available from camping shops.

Good luck.
Cheers,
John.