Hydrapacks

hitchen92

Because having a backpack strapped to your back adds weight and makes you less aerodynamic than you already are, hence slowing you down.

Dog Breath

I always wear a Camelbak pack with the Hydrapak bladder. Much more preferable to reaching for bottle. As I'm not a race snake, I'm not too worried about aerodynamics.

whyamihere

Sweaty back syndrome.
Raises your centre of gravity (makes a difference on a twitchy road bike).
Easier to just grab a bottle.

on the road

I don't have to lean down to get my drink. If you have to lean down to get your drink then your bike must be too big for you.

STEFANOS4784

on the road wrote:

I don't have to lean down to get my drink. If you have to lean down to get your drink then your bike must be too big for you.

Uh -oh, i'm 6 feet so i guess my 54cm frame must be far to big, better get a 49 then..... :roll:

rikk

Jake...using a pack is fine lots of people use them, basicly whatever works for you

I use a pack as I like to carry a good selection of spares as if the bike breaks to the point I can't ride it I'm royally stuffed, also with the weight on your back you don't feel it. I always find it strange how people go to enormous lengths and expense to save a few grams then put two bottle of water on the bike.

Also with regard to the sweaty back if you buy the right packs you don't get it, vaude and northwave are two makes that come to mind that have mesh panels that keep the pack away from your back slightly so no sweat.

Unless the pack is VERY ill fitting the bike won't feel twitchy or unstable it's only the pack moving around (side to side) that would make you feel unstable, keep it tight and keep the chest strap good and tight so as not to cut the circulation off.

redddraggon

I've got two camelbaks, but I think I'll stick to my waterbottles on the bike. I hate wearing a rucksack on the bike, so why would I want to wear a sack with water in when it's easier to just use a couple of water bottles.

Perhaps if I was timetrialing (especially longer distances) a camelbak might be a better bet than a bottle(s), as there would be no requirement to come off the aerobars, and it could be worn underneath a skinsuit (Disclaimer: I ain't done any timetrials yet)

on the road

Jake151 wrote:

sweaty back syndrome dont really bother me, compared to the rest of my body after a ride my back is positively dry, i used it today, it helped a lot. 'On the Road' if i use a bottle then i do have to lean down but thats proberly because my saddle is too high but thats what the guys at the club said so i can get a straight leg on the down stroke

Then they're probably right, but I was just being sarcastic. I've obviously ruffled a few feathers

willbevan

if im going long distance i prefer a camelback, easier to carry 3lt of water for a day ride on a hot day, plenty of space for spares so you dont need to cut your day short

Juju_uk_68

I use my road bike for travelling to work, and find in the 2 11 mile journeys, once I've done it a few times, dont need the water, and its only 45 mins door to door (or less).

However, on my mtb, I might be out for hours over much more demanding (read sweaty) terrain, and use a 3l camelbak type affair. Typically I might fill the bottle with diluted squash and water in the camelbak.

It depends what your doing really. If you drink a lot, as people tend to when they first get into cycling, the C'B's the way to go. When that "phase" wears off, then a bottles not a bad option.

And dont forget on a road bike a second waterbottle makes an excellent carrier for a few basic tools.