Hydration?

[Tim Morin]

I'm going to buy a camel back this weekend, and I was wondering if
there's things in particular I should look for/look out for?


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[UniBrier]

For me there were two deciding factors: How much water do you want to
carry and how much storage volume do you want?

I elected to get a Platypus Thunderhead, a larger hydration pack. It
came with a 3L/100oz bladder and has enough room to carry a second
bladder. I have nothing against Camelbak but the Playtpus was on sale
and Camelback seems to be premium priced.

One thing I would look for is a quality bite valve like a Platypus or
Camelbak. I've bought cheap hydration packs for the kids and on at
least one of them the bite valve has failed. Doesn't make much sense to
buy a cheap set-up then spend extra for a new bladder.

Edit: Also look for good waist and chest straps. You'll want a good fit
so it doesn't bounce around when doing Muni Trials.


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UniBrier

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[ColDawG]

unless you'll be riding very little offroad, and not for more than an
hour and a half or so, go w/ a 100 oz reservior, at worst u can just
fill it up half way for a short ride, but if you ever go on a hot, 3 hr
ride, you'll be glad you have 100oz

then the deciding factor is cargo space
camelback has some cool packs that carry armor, but if you're not into
muni, then just get one w/ enough room to carry tools, spare tube, and
maybe a jacket or another layer


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[cathwood]

I don't know much about camel packs, I got my camelbak in a sale and
it's great. The thing I appreciate most is that the water in the
bladder stays cool, even when it's really sunny and I'm really hot. So
I assume it has something in the fabric or whatever that keeps it cool.
I'd make sure your camel pack had that.

Cathy


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[john_childs]

One option is to get two hydration packs. One smaller capacity waist
mount pack like the 'Camelbak FlashFlo' (http://tinyurl.com/helwm) and
a larger capacity backpack style like the 'Camelbak MULE'
(http://tinyurl.com/oh3xu).

Use the waist pack (bum bag) for shorter rides and the backpack for
longer rides or rides during the humid season.

There are other brands than CamelBak, but CamelBak is the easiest to
get and generally of good quality and design.


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[kington99]

Personally I use a Platypus brand, which is a bladder that fits inside a
normal rucksack rather than being an entire system like the CamelBak. I
have a Dakine Helipack (snowboarding) rucksack which has a mesh bag
inside to hold the bladder upright and routing through one of the
shoulder straps to get the pipe to your mouth. The camelback rucksacks
always looked a bit insubstantial to me, with my setup you can easily
strap a 24" Muni on the back with the built in straps and walk round
comfortably with it all day (as i had to do recently, in the middle of
London), or carry enough stuff for a full day's riding in hazardous
conditions (i.e. spare clothes, first aid etc.). The platypus i use is
a 2.5 litre with the full opening top, this is a useful feature as it
allows you to clean and dry the thing much more easily, and you can put
ice cubes in it if you want.


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[cathwood]

john_childs wrote:
> One option is to get two hydration packs. One smaller capacity waist
> mount pack like the 'Camelbak FlashFlo' (http://tinyurl.com/helwm) and
> a larger capacity backpack style like the 'Camelbak MULE'
> (http://tinyurl.com/oh3xu).
>
> Use the waist pack (bum bag) for shorter rides and the backpack for
> longer rides or rides during the humid season.
>
>



Oh I like this. I've often felt that using my camelbak for riding 6 or
7 miles was a bit of overkill. But I also need to take a drink. I'm
going to get one.

Cathy


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[Brian MacKenzie]

there is a big price jump between the 70oz and 100oz hydration systems,
but a price jump i was happy about (and i have bought 2)

MEC has cheaper versions than the camelback, i'm sure they are just as
good.

don't cheap out on it for the expense of less cargo space, perhaps less
sealable pockets, and for doing things like night riding, you would
hate for your light bettery to be the only thing you could carry in
your pack.

hydration packs last for years, the price is soon forgotten

I have a camelback MULE and a Blowfish. I think you would be happy
with the MULE, or the MEC equiv.

holy crap, this is only 50 bucks! http://tinyurl.com/gzsmm


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[trials_uni]

im getting a mule from my lbs. 3l capacity, 28cu.inch acapcity for tools
and such


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[Into the blue]

Personally I find Camelbacks overrated.
If I'm out on a long ride and I'm thirsty, I'll stop, take a break and
pull out a bottle of Tesco Isotonic drink from my rucksack.
Is it really that important that you have to drink and keep moving at
the same time?
Not to me.
But hey, that's just my $0.02.


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[Brian MacKenzie]

Into the blue wrote:
>
> Is it really that important that you have to drink and keep moving at
> the same time?
> .



it is if you are racing, or you want to keep up your heart rate, or you
want to limit the times you have to put back on a cold wet back pack,
or if you want to carry 3L of water with you and sip it a sip at a time
over several hours


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[Into the blue]

Points duly noted and a respectful doff of the hat given if you are a
racer.
I can only speak from my mountain biking experience here.
I remember taking a week off to cycle from Swansea to Snowdonia in the
summer time.
It took me two days to do the 120 miles, and I think I stopped for a
drink on four seperate occasions.
Then I spent the rest of the week cycling around Coed-Y-Brenin (maybe
cathwood knows it) and on each day, maybe I stopped for a drink twice.
3 litres?
Waaay to much liquid!
:)


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[Brian MacKenzie]

Into the blue wrote:
> Points duly noted and a respectful doff of the hat given if you are a
> racer.




Is that pillow talk or somethin?


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[Into the blue]

Haha.
No. No prison slang there.
I just find camelbacks a bit of an elitist luxury.
But hey.
Whatever floats your boat!
Go with what you like.
Me, I'm happy with Acme bottles of fizzy energy.
I cycle 20 miles a day back and fore to work and have never felt
thirsty during any of my trips.
Blue.


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[Brian MacKenzie]

Into the blue wrote:
> Haha.
> No. No prison slang there.




A simple Army of Darkness reference :)


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[Into the blue]

DOH! Missed that one.
Will have to watch the trilogy again as penance.


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[Tim Morin]

Now, now... this is a thread about hydration, not diarrhea.


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[kington99]

I think being able to keep your hydration level constant, rather than it
going up and down as you ride until you're thirsty then guzzle a load
of drink is quite important in increasing your comfort while riding.
When it's hot and you're riding hard you need that much liquid in a
long day, expecially if you need some spare in case of emergencies i.e.
if you are riding in really mountainous terrain.


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[tumblebug rollin]

I noticed in another thread that keeping water bladders clean and fresh
is apparently a bit of a problem when not in use. Try potassium
metabisulfite otherwise known as Camden tablets dissolved in water.
This product is sold in shops catering to wine makers and is used to
sterilize wine making equipment.
I am a winemaker among other hobbies and I use Camden tablets or bulk
potassium metabisulfite to store plastic wine drums when not in use. I
have stored drums for up to 6 months qnd no "yuccky stuff" grew in them
in the off season.
For water containers etc. use camden tablets for convenience. crush two
tabs and mix in a gallon of water; pour in the vessle tp be kept clean
and store. When ready to use again rinse thorouthly and fill with water
or whatever.


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[ThisGuyIKnow]

The Camelbak is worth it ove the cheaper imitations for tow reasons, the
big opening that you can fit oyur hand inside to clean, and the nicer
bite valve. Soem fo the otehr high end packs have these as well, they
are worth the extra expense. Also I only got a 70oz and I am wishing
i'd spent a little more for 100. Get the 100.


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[mornish]

I have the mini-mule and its great. the only downside to it is that it
doesnt hold much water, but i just put a water bottle in it too for
long rides.


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[Tim Morin]

That's information that I never would have thought of....thanks.


tumblebug rollin wrote:
> I noticed in another thread that keeping water bladders clean and fresh
> is apparently a bit of a problem when not in use. Try potassium
> metabisulfite otherwise known as Camden tablets dissolved in water.
> This product is sold in shops catering to wine makers and is used to
> sterilize wine making equipment.
> I am a winemaker among other hobbies and I use Camden tablets or bulk
> potassium metabisulfite to store plastic wine drums when not in use. I
> have stored drums for up to 6 months qnd no "yuccky stuff" grew in them
> in the off season.
> For water containers etc. use camden tablets for convenience. crush two
> tabs and mix in a gallon of water; pour in the vessle tp be kept clean
> and store. When ready to use again rinse thorouthly and fill with water
> or whatever.


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[markf]

some of the newer, larger models have a tiny pocket near the top
expressly made for an mp3 player. i'm probably going to snag one of
those, likely camelbak mule.


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