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Unscrewing the cap on a CamelBak reservoir

.blitz.blitz Posts: 6,197
edited December 2009 in MTB general
The other week one of the comics reviewed a 'tool' to unscrew the cap on a CamelBak reservoir; fair enough I thought - maybe some folk find it difficult. Then this week I read another CamelBak review and cap is difficult to unscrew was listed amongst the negatives :shock: :)

So - truthfully - are there any hairy-ars*d MTBrs amongst us who find it difficult to unscrew the cap? Just curious like.

Can you unscrew the cap on a CamelBak reservoir 0 votes

Yes
0% 0 votes
Yes - with my teeth
0% 0 votes
No - I have trouble with wet paper bags
0% 0 votes

Posts

  • AlexAlex Posts: 2,086
    I've always found the camel back reservoir difficult to unscrew, especially with cold fingers.

    The shape of the cap means its very easy to tighten (and hence overtighten), but very hard to undo. It's just badly designed.
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  • El CapitanoEl Capitano Posts: 6,401
    If I'm unscrewing it at home after a ride, then I remove the mouth piece from the tube and let the pressure out. Seems to make it a bit easier.
    1 2 3 4 (Dead)5 6
  • bike-a-swanbike-a-swan Posts: 1,235
    bit of gt85- no trouble!
    Rock Lobster 853, Trek 1200 and a very old, tired and loved Apollo Javelin.
  • sniper68sniper68 Posts: 2,910
    An arthritic 99 year old woman would be able to unscrew a Camelbak reservoir cap!
    Lynskey R480

  • NorthwindNorthwind Posts: 14,675
    edited December 2009
    There's a tool available to unscrew it. But I'm at a bit of a loss myself, I have the hands of a child, a girly child at that, but I've never had any problem. Don't really understand Jedi's comment, assembly is the reverse of disassembly after all, the design works exactly the same way to tighten or loosen.

    <edit, no, that's cobblers, for right handed use it's easier to tighten, Jedi's right>
    Uncompromising extremist
  • scale20scale20 Posts: 1,300
    I find they can be a bit of a Sh!t to undo, It's difficult to get your fingers in there for a good grip. My other half is looking for a new bladder for her pack but is looking for anything but a camelbak one, reckons it's harder being left handed to open it :?:
    Niner Air 9 Rigid
    Whyte 129S 29er.
  • NorthwindNorthwind Posts: 14,675
    scale20 wrote:
    reckons it's harder being left handed to open it :?:

    Mmm, I would have thought that'd be easier.
    Uncompromising extremist
  • scale20scale20 Posts: 1,300
    Northwind wrote:
    scale20 wrote:
    reckons it's harder being left handed to open it :?:

    Mmm, I would have thought that'd be easier.

    Yea, thinking about it you get a better grip with your thumb to push.

    I will have to try later :lol:
    Niner Air 9 Rigid
    Whyte 129S 29er.
  • NorthwindNorthwind Posts: 14,675
    Though now I need to go back and edit my post because suddenly I understand what Jedi meant, and he's right...
    Uncompromising extremist
  • MrChrisPMrChrisP Posts: 321
    I've never had a problem with undoing camelbak bladders. Then again I'm a skinny git so prob can't tighten them all that much.
    Kona Stinky Six
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  • Mr bumpMr bump Posts: 369
    I seem to remember the tool thing being called a Slug??
    Seem to remember it in MBUK or MBR. :D
    Eagles may fly high but Weasels dont get sucked into jet engines.

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  • CheshleyCheshley Posts: 1,448
    http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/j ... ener-23668

    Looks like a useful tool. I know what people mean about it being easier to tighten than it is to undo for the right-handed user.
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  • The Northern MonkeyThe Northern Monkey Posts: 19,174
    you all need to MTFU!!! :lol:

    almost as bad as the tool that puts a tyre on for you....
    Santa Cruz Butcher
  • _Ferret__Ferret_ Posts: 660
    bigbenj_08 wrote:
    you all need to MTFU!!! :lol:

    almost as bad as the tool that puts a tyre on for you....

    +1

    come on ladies there is a limit to how many things you can buy to make it easier for you. You ride bikes in freezing conditions, baking conditions, up hills that quad bikes wouldn't attack and down hills that have the potential to cripple you for life - you can use your hands to undo the cap of a camelback!!!
    Not really active
  • .blitz.blitz Posts: 6,197
    bigbenj_08 wrote:
    you all need to MTFU!!! :lol:
    Thanks Ben :lol:
  • forcuttyforcutty Posts: 1,055
    If it's tight use your teeth!!!
    oh and MTFU :lol:
  • ceecee Posts: 4,553
    i always manage to unscrew them....but it is definately more awkward to undo than it is to do up....especially with my big mashed hands and fingers...

    And if some water gets frozen in under the seal, then it pays to defrost that under running water before trying to turn it.
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  • spongtasticspongtastic Posts: 2,651
    It's not difficult, but the pressure used does mean that I'm worried about my big fists of ham ripping the bladder.
    Visit Clacton during the School holidays - it's like a never ending freak show.

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  • milfredomilfredo Posts: 322
    My 5 year old one sometime is completly locked on and I don't even tighten it up fully as it can be a little leaky through the top. I've been in situations where my hands are raw and none of my mates can undo it either. It always gives in the end and that is the reaon I've not bought a new one. The tool looks great but I'd rather just buy a new bladder... but am strangly fond of 5 year old one that I have never cleaned out. Gross or what.

    Grease and oil only seem to make the situation worse for some reason it acts more like some form of Camel Pack super gluing compound.
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