Vest, Pack or Hip Bag

[michaelbiker]

I need advice. I am doing a 6-day mountain bike in northern Thailand in October. We need to carry our own water for each day as there are no refill points along the route. Each day is approximately 50km and 1000m of climbing and they estimate 2.5 litres per day. 

I normally ride with a small Bontrager hip pack and my bike can accommodate two bottles of water but I was wondering if it makes more sense to just go the vest route - something like a USWE or Camelbak vest? I used to ride with a pack but it's so much nicer not being encumbered by one.

Does anyone have experience riding with a vest and can make any recommendations?

[splat]

Looks like you may be treading the line between having enough water and having a hot/sweaty back.

I am used to my by Camelbak and want to be sure that I always have enough to drink (and put tools and snacks in there too), so I am OK with a sweaty back.

Your trip sounds awesome though

[cadenceblur]

enjoy man, I concur that the camelbak will probably be the best bet. You can get the smaller one which I think takes 1.5L, can then use your bottles for a carb drink of sorts.

[Kom]

22 hours ago, michaelbiker said:

I need advice. I am doing a 6-day mountain bike in northern Thailand in October. We need to carry our own water for each day as there are no refill points along the route. Each day is approximately 50km and 1000m of climbing and they estimate 2.5 litres per day. 

I normally ride with a small Bontrager hip pack and my bike can accommodate two bottles of water but I was wondering if it makes more sense to just go the vest route - something like a USWE or Camelbak vest? I used to ride with a pack but it's so much nicer not being encumbered by one.

Does anyone have experience riding with a vest and can make any recommendations?

2.5l is only 3x800ml bottles - does your bike not have a potential spot for a 3rd bottle cage? You do get cage mounts for a seatpost, as long as you arent using a dropper ofc.

I barely cope with having my phone on my back let alone vests, tools, uswe's etc

[michaelbiker]

1 hour ago, Kom said:

2.5l is only 3x800ml bottles - does your bike not have a potential spot for a 3rd bottle cage? You do get cage mounts for a seatpost, as long as you arent using a dropper ofc.

I barely cope with having my phone on my back let alone vests, tools, uswe's etc

Biggest bottles I can get on the frame are a 800ml and a 650ml. No other mounts for more bottles unfortunately. 

[splat]

I think that @Kom is referring to something like this:

This will obviously catch a bit of mud and has potential to pop out if things get bumpy, but there are various ways around that.

[michaelbiker]

8 hours ago, splat said:

I think that @Kom is referring to something like this:

This will obviously catch a bit of mud and has potential to pop out if things get bumpy, but there are various ways around that.

Problem here is that I have a dropper post. I really don’t think there is a way to attach more bottles to my bike. I think the pack/vest is the only approach just wondering if anyone has had experience with either of the two mentioned. 

[cadenceblur]

https://www.capeunionmart.co.za/products/k-way-dart-2.0-hydration-pack/101490322.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwqNqkBhDlARIsAFaxvwxWS6kzjiYMjq_JbgJ9McBHMAg4_V_6F9zA8I33_0_A6dHBHvuk1pAaAl4REALw_wcB

 

I used to use the Rogue with no issue

https://www.takealot.com/camelbak-rogue-light-hydration-pack-2-litre/PLID71779926?gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqNqkBhDlARIsAFaxvwy2emvxfGp4Jp9tWWaCKOGRz8fOxeKkQCsc35CRVvt9Wasb6oRc7coaAjxUEALw_wcB
 

 

[ChrisF]

7 minutes ago, michaelbiker said:

Problem here is that I have a dropper post. I really don’t think there is a way to attach more bottles to my bike. I think the pack/vest is the only approach just wondering if anyone has had experience with either of the two mentioned. 

 

I avoided backpak for as long as possible.

 

Finally got caught out on a long ride with an extra long section with no water point.

 

 

Since then I use a 2 liter Camelbak.  The bottel in the frame has the gummy.berry.juice.

 

 

A normal backpack, for commuting, has me sweating immediately.  The Camelbak is significantly better.

 

 

My only gripe ... winter time I want a larger unit.  For packing space as the cold start layers come off ....

[dasilvarsa]

Genuine Camelbak Only.

 

[Dicky DQ]

Do you really need that much water on a 50km/1000m ride?

Yes it is hot and humid, but still.
If you really need more water attach a bottle cage to the underside of the downtube with tape or tie downs. That will give you the amount of water you need.

Put insulation tape on the frame where you are going to be attaching the bottle cage and then lock it in with your choice of fastening material. I have used insulation tape to good effect on multi day rides.

You don't need to spend big ZARS unless you are one of the image brigades.

[Jewbacca]

So, something I've been playing with is a Bar Bag that holds a bladder. 

Straps onto the bars very snugly and the hose thing with mouth piece is accessible. 

So water in the bladder and some juice in the bottles. 

 

[eddy]

1 hour ago, Jewbacca said:

So, something I've been playing with is a Bar Bag that holds a bladder. 

Straps onto the bars very snugly and the hose thing with mouth piece is accessible. 

So water in the bladder and some juice in the bottles. 

 

Or this : a Revelate feed bag. Straps onto your cockpit and holds a bottle or, if you do not need water, food or tools, etc.

 

https://www.revelatedesigns.com/index.cfm/store.catalog/Cockpit/MountainFeedbag

[Jewbacca]

19 minutes ago, eddy said:

Or this : a Revelate feed bag. Straps onto your cockpit and holds a bottle or, if you do not need water, food or tools, etc.

 

https://www.revelatedesigns.com/index.cfm/store.catalog/Cockpit/MountainFeedbag

Those are exactly what got me tinkering

Bike packing and Adventure Racing are done at a far more sedate speed than a MTB race, so I thought something that was less bouncy and secures a bit better was first prize.

 

[Zebra]

This Camelbak BIKE-BASED  carraying solution, just shown at Eurobike, looks interesting:

…at 24 mins, 20 seconds…

https://youtu.be/c68oHGG4i5o

I like the fact it can be drunk from the demand-tube whilst riding, AND then has a sipper valve if say in the tent afterwards - nice!

(and would be easy to fabricate; not suggesting anyone bodge one, though  )

Cheers

Chris

 

 

Edited June 26, 2023 by Zebra

[Zebra]

6 hours ago, Jewbacca said:

So, something I've been playing with is a Bar Bag that holds a bladder. 

Straps onto the bars very snugly and the hose thing with mouth piece is accessible. 

So water in the bladder and some juice in the bottles. 

 

I had one of those, in the…. 1980’s !
 

Basically, it was a bladder inside a neoprene pouch, which you forced water into, and it expanded, under pressure from the tight-fitting neoprene around a STRETCHY bladder. Held around 600ml, IIRC.

It had a demand/bite valve, and you could drink no handed whilst on the Tri-bars; clever system, came in handy to hydrate AFTER a swim, DURING a 40km TT, and BEFORE the 10km run leg, since it was harder to drink whilst swimming and whilst running.

Cheers

Chris