Tesco hydration pack?

raldat

People have said good things about the Tesco hydration pack and I will be visiting the UK briefly this week so I would like to try one out.

Question is... What sort of Tesco store carries them and, as I will be in the Bedford area for a meeting, does anyone happen to know of a store around there has them in stock?

Any help appreciated.

rapid_donkey

I actually got one from the cardington road tesco superstore in bedford but this was 2 or 3 years ago. Also, the cap cracked on the reservoir on mine and leaked, it was also really hard to suck liquid through compared to the camelbak i have now.

john2002

try the click and collect servive. you can get it sent to a store that will be close to you when you visit.
http://www.tesco.com/direct/click-and-collect/?icid=Avatar%20-%20The%20Game_Click%20%20Collect_172200009

cooldad

For around a tenner they are a bargain. I bought one a few years ago to try out (old fashioned bottle user)but it just keeps on going.

raldat

Thanks everyone and yep Cooldad, that is exactly my idea. Mostly happy with bottles but a few things have made me think it might be worth a try.

Click and collect. Great idea. Had not thought of that.

Kowalski675

Always been impressed with my Tesco pack for £12, but the weak point is the bite valve. It's not the best to use, and does leak a few drops down you as you ride. Bargain for the price, but I just found this and treated myself to a bargain upgrade:

viewtopic.php?f=10002&t=12947347

jimothy78

Another +1 for the Tesco pack here. It's very basic, but for £11 is great, when with many other bags you don't even get the hydration pouch included, and you'll pay £10 just for one of those....

Agreed the bite valve lets it down - i replaced mine with one that looks exactly like this, but cost me £3.50 and it's great - really improved the flow rate.

Apart from that, though, am happy with the tesco one - main pocket is big enough to hold a spare tube, compact water proof, mini pump, shock pump, puncture repair kit, basic first aid kit and a few snacks, even with a full bladder. Zippable front pocket holds phone, multi-tool, camera and money easily. Side mesh pockets useful for stuffing gloves and glasses into when not in use. Finally there's bungee cord criss-crossing the back of the pack, so if you get really hot and have to lose a layer you can stuff it in there if there's no room left inside the bag.

raldat

Got it. It looks good. I will give it a run on the weekend. Thanks for the help.

raldat

Used it today in a 45km XC race. Verdict, pretty good. Worth 11quid for sure. Bite valve seems a little tough to get a drink through but I am not sure what they are supposed to be like

john2002

with my camelbak you dont need much pressure the baby drinks out of it with out any problms.
extra pressure is a good thing, it shouldent leak when its hanging down..

Kowalski675

raldat wrote:

Used it today in a 45km XC race. Verdict, pretty good. Worth 11quid for sure. Bite valve seems a little tough to get a drink through but I am not sure what they are supposed to be like

The bite valve is poor (mine leaks a few drops down you while riding too, if not held facing upwards), worth replacing with a decent one.

raldat

Kowalski675 wrote:

raldat wrote:

Used it today in a 45km XC race. Verdict, pretty good. Worth 11quid for sure. Bite valve seems a little tough to get a drink through but I am not sure what they are supposed to be like

The bite valve is poor (mine leaks a few drops down you while riding too, if not held facing upwards), worth replacing with a decent one.

Thanks, I might do that. Still, total bargain and a great intro to using hydration packs instead of bottles. I suspect I am converted.

Kowalski675

Yeah, at £12 I've had my money's worth from mine, and now I've retired it as a hydration pack it'll double as a useful little rucksack for motorcycling, on the odd occasions that I might want one.