Help with Hydro / Bottle issues

wollow007

Hi Guy's

Did an event today on my new bike (Orange 5 Pro) which is a lovely bike, eats the downhill sections but unlike my recently broken Commencal Super 4 Carbon it isn't as agile uphill due to the weight etc.

Also the Orange has no water bottle bolts due to not being able to fit etc, not being to worried I used my Hydro pack (Osprey back pack), only y second time of use with the hydro pack as I prefer water bottle.

First issue, o my god how heavy, had to ditch nearly all of my normal back pack load to make it feel wearable on the second lap.

Second issue is that I seem to be introducing air in when I swallow the liquid, unlike a bottle for some reason. I think its due to having to draw the liquid through the tube etc.

Will be looking at a lighter Camel back solution for shorter rides of around 10 miles per lap, 1-2 litres would be OK but not sure if i will have the same problem with the camel as the osprey version with wind. Ended up burping all the way round, also made me feel sick and slow me down due to the added weight!

Any bottle holding solutions available for the Orange that anyone knows of?

Cheers Guy's

Rich Hcp

On the hydration front, I had a similar problem with a Gelert hydropack.

I solved it by putting a Camelbak bite valve on and it's been fine

hard-rider

I have an Osprey and don't have the air problem. When you fill your bladder do you get all the air out before closing the cap? When I fill or part fill mine, I prime the tube so it's full of water then lay the bladder almost horizontal with the filling opening at the higher side and collapse the bladder so the water rises to the brim of the opening then cap it off. This stops the water from slopping around and also removes all air.

Give it a go and see how it works for you.

sheepsteeth

i dont like camelbaks either for similar reasons and the fact you cant get a big enough volume of drink as quickly as i like.

i dont like bottle cages, my bottles get mucky and whatnot (also they looks stupid) so my solution is to own a back pak that is comfortable (alpkit gouron 20litre in my case) and i put my bottle in there, simples.

skaffen

Second issue is that I seem to be introducing air in when I swallow the liquid, unlike a bottle for some reason. I think its due to having to draw the liquid through the tube etc.

It depends on the type of bite valve you use, but I noticed that I had the same problem after moving from Camelback bags to Hydrapak. The bite valve just seemed a bit more sensitive, so holding it in my teeth tended to open it, and unless I was sucking water through at the time, gravity tends to pull the water back into the bag which sucks air in. I tended to have a drink, then have a breath, then have a drink again. With the Camelbak valve that's really natural, but with the Hyrdapak I had to remember to really let the pressure off the valve otherwise when I was taking a breath, it just sucked air straight in.

I got used to it pretty quickly, but swapping over to a Camelbak bite valve like Rich did may be easier (and I think they are probably better bite valves, although I prefer the Hydrapak in general).

Raymondavalon

I use a Hydrapak with removable / reversible [for cleaning] bladder.
Had if for two years now and it's been flawless, allows me to carry a tube, inflator, energy gels. car keys & my mobile, but more importantly it holds ample liquid (2L) for most outings. I've only ever drank it dry on two or three rides.
The bite valve is worn now and I may look at replacing it with the Camelbak bite valve soon.
I prefer the Hydrapak to the Cambelbak offerings, of which most are tedious to clean out.

cycle monster

Crikey, you bought the wrong bike again and can't drink properly. How may we help you? Joking aside pretty much all kit is each to his own. I have three Camelbaks and do not notice the weight of any of them when seated. I have no problem whatsoever with flow etc. I have tried cheaper non Camelbak bladders and valves which have been extremely poor substitutes. Most on here will prefer whatever they use themselves.

*AL*

sheepsteeth wrote:

i dont like camelbaks either for similar reasons and the fact you cant get a big enough volume of drink as quickly as i like.

I'm glad you 'fessed up to that Sheeps, I thought it was just me.

Spent 2 hours on the road bike one day last week and emptied 2 x 750ml bottles, I can spend half a day on the moors on my mountain bike and not drink a litre.

If I remove the bite valve (Camelback Mule) I can drink to my hearts content, but the bite valve seems a little restrictive for me ?

sheepsteeth

its definately how i find it.

i now use a 1 litre bottle with a big opening screw cap and i can gobble my drink down as swiftly as i like.

nicklouse

I like my Mule. But I do tend to mainly use it on uplifts where I spend the time on the chair lift having a drink. Or if I need a pause on the way down.

hoathy

putting bottles in your bag is annoying as you have to stop to have a drink. My dad has a rift zone with no (sensible) bottle mounts, so he has the worlds least styish plastic bottle cage attached to his bars, not exactly sure what holds it on, but I'm pretty sure zip ties are involved. You should do this, and then tell everyone function is more important than style...