Water bottles or camel back

CHanson

I am going to do some century rides this year well at least August and Sept. I have used a camel back on some lenghty training rides but I feel I downright uncomfortable after 60 miles or so. Has anyone else experienced this and what are some alternatives for carry extra water

troyq

When you say uncomfortable, what do you mean exactly? I also have a camelbak but I use it mostly for mtb'ing... now I wouldn't go without it.

The only negatives i can think of are the sweat buildup on your back (I assume that's what you are referring to?) and the water heating up in the bladder... ice cubes only work for an hour or 2. Both a small price to pay for being left "high and dry" so to speak

Mowiss

I ride a recumbent so it's con venient for me to mount my Camelbak Unbottle 100 to the bike, but I also carry three 24 oz. Polar bottles. On a 60 mile ride in Florida I will easily consume all 172 ounces of hydration, and then some.

LouisG

Can

I would recommend a Camelbak everytime, much easier and holds much more. I have had serious troubles from Camelbaks before, I am allergic to something in the bottles off the shelf, and I have to REALLY clean it out with something like Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap peppermint (works well!) and then let it soak over night with baking soda, and clean again in the morning for the first couple uses. Otherwise I have had debilitating gastric reflux, with no history of it other than that, I was literally gagging on stomache acid which turned my tounge black and hurt so bad I wanted to throw up. I was saved by a teammate who packed extra water, which allowed my to dillute whatever I had drank and wash down the pain.
Otherwise, they are great =) I suppose they could have more pockets, like the Hawg and also have a concave back brace to allow air circulation.... but, whatever.
Jacob

Geonz

What do you mean uncomfortable? Sweaty? Water's too heavy? I keep a "reserve" bottle on the frame and ice down the water so it's cooling, and adjust the straps so I don't have a lot of weight on my lower back. And of course I don't fill the thing all the way for most rides, especially if there are stops where I can add to it.

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kokopuffs

Just an fyi go to the Camelbak website and checkout their military line. The units having the same name include more storage capacity with better stitching. If I got a c'bak I'd get the military issue HAWG. More durability and capacity.

romicsteve

I use a 50 oz. Camelbak, which is not that heavy on my back. Then, I supplement with Polar water bottles, which I use to refill the Camelbak at rest stops.

I am MUCH better hydrated with the Camelbak. Mayve it's psychological, but having the tube right there in front of my face reminds me to drink more frequently.

Yes, it is a bit of a hassle keeping them clean. But, it's a small price to pay.

dr_mcgarry

when cycling...i always use water bottles with twist caps to force me to pause to have a drink. that way you get to experience more scenery and surroundings while touring. my bike has four water cages, the weight seems insignificant. an alternative to carrying water would be to stop at houses along the way or carry iodine tablets for river water.
all the best.

--
bicyclelane.com
"resources for self-guided touring"
check-out the section on "feasting"
with tips on water consumtion while touring.

BHman

I also have a 50 oz CB, which I bought for and use on back packing trips (just home tonight from a 50 mile hike along Pictured Rocks nat'l lakeshore) I like the eas of use of the shoulder tube, but I do not care for the feeling on my back. When I tour, i carry 2 polar bottles on the frame mounts of teh bike and a spare in the rack top bag. That should give me at least 3 hr of pedal time betwen fill ups. I generally get off the bike every hour or so to stretch (and check the MAP!) so there is opportunity to move bottles around. On longer excursions, a water purifier can come along as well for use as opportuunities arise.

JamesGibb

What sort of bike are doing these rides on? Will you have any luggage? I'd never carry anything on my back for that distance if there was a way round it. Two or three litre bottles on the bottle cages on the frame and any extra you think you might need in a pannier, top bag, saddle bag etc.

RegMeg

Patience please - I'm a newbie. What is a polar water bottle? Thanks!

romicsteve

Polar bottles are insulated, so they keep cold water colder longer. Isotherm also makes an insulated water bottle, I think, but Polar bottles are more readily available. They should be available at your local bike store.

Dellphinus

The polar bottle ads say they keep stuff cold twice as long as uninsulated bottles. So far, my uninsulated bottles keep stuff cold for about 20 minutes. Are the Polars really worth it? Or should I get used to drinking warm water?

msrw

Camelbacks are good for off road riding, where it may be inconvenient to reach down to grab a water bottle. But wearing a backpack on the road when you can easily carry a couple of water bottles on the bike? Seems like some sort of masochism. I vote for water bottles. Two will probably be sufficient for century riding, in which there are rest stops every 20-25 miles.