Spec me a hydration pack

chris.tarry85 · 22 May 2016 at 18:23

Looking for a pack big enough for phone, inner tube, tyre levers and a banana or other snack!

Are Camelbak still what they used to be? Getting back into cycling for the first time since I was a teenager!

FrenchTart · 22 May 2016 at 18:46

Personally I'd recommend just using water bottles. You can easily fit 1.4 litres of liquid in two water bottles and it's much more pleasant having that weight on your bike rather than your back. For the other stuff a mixture of small saddle bag and pockets in your cycling jersey will do the job

PermaBanned · 22 May 2016 at 20:10

Phone and banana goes in jersey pockets, inner tubes and tyre levers go in a saddle bag. Usually have a pump mounted under one of the bottle cages, and 2x 550ml bottles is generally enough for rides under about 3 hours. If you need more, best to find somewhere to fill them up along the way rather than trying to carry it all with you.

Backpacks might be alright for shorter rides like commutes, but you don't really want them for general riding because they can get uncomfortable, sweaty and restrict your movement.

lordrobs · 22 May 2016 at 23:20

What type of riding are you going to be doing? Bottles for the road and hydration pack for off road is the general recommendation.

As for which pack is best... I have no idea as I picked an own brand one up for £4 in a clearance sale at Tesco and have been using it ever since

I would say that 1.5L is the largest capacity you want though.

6thElement · 23 May 2016 at 03:31

lordrobs said:
I would say that 1.5L is the largest capacity you want though.

I regularly do rides in the summer where I need a 3l bladder, bottle and a water filter to refill them

Schizo · 23 May 2016 at 03:40

6thElement said:
I regularly do rides in the summer where I need a 3l bladder, bottle and a water filter to refill them

Same here,in the cooler weather it's ok to have bottles but in the summer i need my bladder

Schizo · 23 May 2016 at 03:44

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BTR-Hydra...MzFNGQfWKQR6CyCPrB1gw%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

I got that op,does me fine and works well.

FrenchTart · 23 May 2016 at 08:04

I just call by a shop/whatever and refill my bottles. Carrying extra weight ftl

chris.tarry85 · 23 May 2016 at 08:13

It's for mostly off road riding with a bit of road thrown in on the way / way back.

Going to have a look at some saddlebags as the next step I think.

BennyC · 23 May 2016 at 08:29

Everything in a large glasses case (2 x tubes, levers, 2 x CO2, Valve, multitool, disposable gloves, salt, electrolyte tabs, harribo x 3 (because bonk)). That goes center pocket.

Keys & Id, bank card, cash and phone plus arm/knee warmers or rain cape if needed, in the right.

Carbs in the left

2 x 750ml bottles on the frame.

neil_g · 23 May 2016 at 08:39

osprey ftw.

wear it for hours on the mtb with no bother.

Jono · 23 May 2016 at 08:41

I used a life straw and drink from puddles/ditches.

soundb0y · 23 May 2016 at 09:44

http://www.tesco.com/direct/summit-...cluded/643-0853.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=643-0853

I bought 3 of these when they were slighly different style and only £12 a piece and they have been excellent, use for biking skiing etc etc.

jpaul · 23 May 2016 at 15:48

BennyC disposable gloves - that is a great idea I will adopt that - you put everything bar the fluid on your person though ? as opposed to a small under saddle bag - do co2/tubes not slop around a lot (maybe there are bike suspension scenarios that preclude a saddle bag?)

BennyC · 23 May 2016 at 16:08

jpaul said:
BennyC disposable gloves - that is a great idea I will adopt that - you put everything bar the fluid on your person though ? as opposed to a small under saddle bag - do co2/tubes not slop around a lot (maybe there are bike suspension scenarios that preclude a saddle bag?)

Never hurts to have them if you end up faffing with a derailleur or chain and they're small & light enough to not be a hassle.

Yep, everything carried in jersey pockets. Not having a saddle bag looks neater too :cool:

When I first started out I had a large saddle bag but found packing it and removing it when I needed it a pain. A large glasses case, the likes you get from Wiggle with DHB glasses packs everything in tightly enough and opens up completely so no digging around for what you need.

I should probably stick an alcohol wipe or three in there to clean up any abrasions or wounds if I were to ever come of again.

Tubes & CO2 in the same case so nothing shifts or jiggles. Will take a picture later if you want?

lordrobs · 23 May 2016 at 18:08

6thElement said:
I regularly do rides in the summer where I need a 3l bladder, bottle and a water filter to refill them

But you aren't just getting back into cycling going on rides short enough to be sustained by a single banana

Hedge · 23 May 2016 at 21:02

I've had a camelbak mule for about 6 years. It's been updated since but it's a good all round bag for mountain biking. My mate uses a decathlon one he bought for a fraction of the price ,it's good and was only about 8 quid on sale.

Raptor · 23 May 2016 at 21:13

soundb0y said:
http://www.tesco.com/direct/summit-...cluded/643-0853.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=643-0853

I bought 3 of these when they were slighly different style and only £12 a piece and they have been excellent, use for biking skiing etc etc.

That's what started with, didn't want to spend too much if wasn't going to use it.

Just recently replaced with an Osprey, strangely, a Raptor 10

I use it all the time with the MTB, and have used the hydration pack on longer rides in hot weather on the road bike.

Begbie · 31 May 2016 at 03:23

Osprey, I went from a decathlon one and the difference is huge. So much more comfortable.

I suppose it depends on your riding. Us mountain bikers don't judge others with bags

trentlad · 31 May 2016 at 03:47

I use a Camelback for mountain biking, it's really nice keeping the weight off the bike if you're wanting to retain that light maneuverability and you don't need to stop as much since you can drink on trail.

There's enough space for everything you mentioned too.