Camel Bak or water bottle

[CJVDM]

Being new to the MTB scene, does regular riders prefer Camel Bak type water system or plain old water bottles?

 

If you opt for the Camel Bak, which ones are best eg what should i be on the lookout for when evaluating them?

 

[Iwan Kemp]

Most Camelbaks are great, but the MULE is the most popular. Can take 3lt of water or whatever you prefer to put in there and lots of other goodies. Big enough more whole day ride, but compact enough not to bother you when it's backed to the brim...or not.

 

For XC rides there's not much to look out for. If you ride with some protective gear and FF helmet you will need a 'bak with straps on the outside to strap your gear to. In that case go with a Chaos or Mayhem.

 

 

 

If not the MULE will be your safest bet. If you're not an over-packer the chaos will also fit the bill. Only takes 2liters of water, but for me it's more than enough even on the hottest days. It has enough storage space for some snacks and a warm top for just in case.

[Iwan Kemp]

...waterbottles work as well, but you'll need a saddle bag to keep your keys and cellphones safe and clean. Problem with a bottle off road is taking your hands off the handlebar to drink and it can get splattered by muc flying off your front wheel.

[Vuilgoed]

When I first started, I bought a camel back - sommer a cheap one from Sportsman's warehouse. It worked fine, but I soon began feeling encumbered by the 3 kilograms of water I was carrying on my back. I fitted a second water bottle carrier and started using bottles instead.

I haven't used my camelback since.

I am not the fastest m'biker in the world and I still struggle a little when taking the bottles out of the carrier, but it is much less of a hassle than the camel back. besides, sometimes I use it as an excuse to stop and catch my breath

 

 

[Hector]

I find the camelbak very useful on longer rides. Drinking enough fluid is very important and the Camelbak makes it easy to take a few sips on a regular basis with out having to bend down and use your water bottle. If you think you are going to use more than the 2 or 3 liters fluid in your camel bak, fill your water bottle with concentrate so that you can stop at a shop and buy water and add the consentrate. Summer is here so you will need upto 1 liter of fluid per hour. 

[CJVDM]

 

sometimes I use it as an excuse to stop and catch my breath

 

 

 

Good one .  Had my 1st real MTB ride last weekend, lots of people came past me while i was "drinking water".  Guess a bottle is fine for now until i start doing the marathon rides.

 

[CJVDM]

Btw does the camel bak not throw one off balance at first?  Suppose 3l of water makes quite a instability on ones back...

[crasher]

I use a mule its very comfortable and ballance is not an issue

The amount of lost dropped full bottles you ride past in races esp fast rocky descents seem a prime spot for these bottles to fall out is the reason I like my mule

through winter I would just fill 1 litre but now as it gets hotter you can up this to suite the temp and distance.

plus I am wearing it anyway because of all my spares and supplies

I also like it that you keep your hands on the bars when drinking

[mtbN00b]

i bought a cheap one from mr Price ... Takes only 1liter but i can fit a 500ml powerade bottel extra in it and a pump. and then there is still space for my keys and cellphone .. would not recommend it. I took the bit piece(rubber) off becuase it just did not work for me - really struggled to get water out - so now i have to open and close it the whole time when drinking but i am so trained in it at this stage it does not bother me

 

 

 

I have seen to much waterbottels along the rocky roads so i would not recommend it but i guess it depends on how good your holder is and how fast your ride ...

 

 

 

Enjoy

[Guest Agteros]

I again find it difficult sucking water through those bite valves while gulping chunks of air on the MTB. I use bottles / cages. I have not lost a bottle yet, maybe it is because I use non-plastic/carbon cages and bottles that fit VERY snug in there?

 

On mucky routes / wet days I clip the mud guard on, and the bottles stay clean enough to use...

 

I also find the extra weight of a hydration pack on the upper body / arms unnecessary. Why use your upper body to support a pump / tubes / bombs / lunch / etc and a few(up to 3) kilograms of water if the bicycle frame will do it for you?

 

each to his/her own at the end...

 

[Bos]

Another vote for bottles. I put a bom and food in my jersy pockets and a tube around my seatpost. On longer rises a camelback rires ones shoulders, It so nice not riding with a camelback. I havnt gone back since