Camelbak question

[E38Ross]

Jut bought a camelbak rogue with a 2 litre reservoir as I found 2x750ml bottles simply not enough for longer rides.

Now, I know due to cleaning it's preferable to only use water with them but I would much rather use something like the science in sport "hydro" tablets or something for more effective hydration....

Now, could I use these if after every ride I thoroughly rinse out and then fill the reservoir with a solution of miltons sterilising fluid and flush that through? I use that for cleaning my drinks bottles and it seems quite good at getting rid of the smell etc.

Now, this is also a question for mountain biking when I don't have any bottles on the frame I'd like something better than water (even energy drink) in the camelbak if possible.....

Thoughts?

Thanks chaps.

Edited by E38Ross on Sunday 9th June 18:43

[Jimbo.]

Interesting.

2 x 750ml = 1.5 litres. So your Camelbak carries an extra 500ml water. But given how much hotter you'll run and how much your back will sweat, you'll probably burn through it quicker, thus seeing no real benefit.

[E38Ross]

Jimbo. said:

Interesting.

2 x 750ml = 1.5 litres. So your Camelbak carries an extra 500ml water. But given how much hotter you'll run and how much your back will sweat, you'll probably burn through it quicker, thus seeing no real benefit.

No.... I mean on the road bike I use 2x750ml bottles which if doing 4+ hours it's not enough.... Now I have 2x750ml bottles + the camelbak (3.5 litres).

For the mountain bike (on which I have no bottle cages) I can use the camelbak (2litres) and there is a pocket on the camelbak large enough to fit a 750ml bottle, giving me 2.75 litres. Just curious if going on shorter rides on the mountain bike or on really long road bike rides can I use anything other than just water in the camelbak.

Cheers

[anonymous-user]

Yes you can, Just rinse it with hot water, mine has very small black bits on the inside but it's not worrying me. When it's almost dry inside, screw the cap on, blow into it and inflate it a bit usually helps too.

For anything less than 30kms though and I prefer a bottle and saddle bag for tube and tool on the mtb as i dont like camelbaks but as I said recently it never fails to amaze me what people stuff into a camelback simply because they have the space regardless of how far they stray from civilisation. Don't pack it with "just in case" stuff you will never use...

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 9th June 19:12

[E38Ross]

pablo said:

Just rinse it with hot water, mine has very small black bits on the inside but it's not worrying me. When it's almost dry inside, screw the cap on, blow into it and inflate it a bit usually helps too.

For anything less than 30kms though and I prefer a bottle and saddle bag for tube and tool on the mtb as i dont like camelbaks but as I said recently it never fails to amaze me what people stuff into a camelback simply because they have the space regardless of how far they stray from civilisation.

Thanks Pablo, do you use something other than water in yours then?

If going for under 2-3 hours on the road bike I won't bother with the camelbak but now I have it I probably will for mountain biking.

[Rouleur]

If I've had energy drink in mine I pop a bit of Fairy and hot water in and give it a good shake, plus run some through the tube and valve.

IMO you only need to sterilise it if you're not going to be using it for a while.

[Viperzs]

Yes you can, no problems at all.

The best thing to do after your ride is to rinse it out and then put the reservoir in the freezer.

[Rob_T]

Rule #32 // Humps are for camels: no hydration packs.

Hydration packs are never to be seen on a road rider’s body. No argument will be entered into on this. For MTB, they are cool.



Clearly if you die of dehydration, so be it...

[E38Ross]

Rob_T said:

Rule #32 // Humps are for camels: no hydration packs.

Hydration packs are never to be seen on a road rider’s body. No argument will be entered into on this. For MTB, they are cool.



Clearly if you die of dehydration, so be it...

meh - i'd rather keep hydrated thanks. I'll give you a small amount of water as I pass you when you are struggling at the side of the road

to be fair.....needed the extra fluid yesterday as i did 65 miles in north wales which had 2000m of climb.....1.5L simply not enough given the heat too.

[FarQue]

Rinse the bladder then store in your freezer. No mould! Some will tell you that the bladder will degrade if you freeze it but mine is fine after two years of use and freezing.

[Engineer1]

I tried the freezer trick and it works but I'd save leave the drinking hose attached as the quick release was stiff due to ice when I git mine out of the freezer before a ride.

[Gren]

Use Zero tabs in mine mostly. They tend to discolour the inside of the bladder but no biggie. I've even left the stuff in between rides by mistake and I'm still alive after using it for 2 years.

Once every month or so (probably around 12 rides) I'll clean it with some Milton.

[AGK]

I put loads of different stuff in mines and it's still ok.

I clean it properly with some fairy liquid then dry it out with kitchen roll. I've also made a hanger for it out of an old coat hanger that keeps the bag open and apart .

If it smells then quick rinse with Milton usually freshens it up!

[Samcat]

Gren said:

Use Zero tabs in mine mostly. They tend to discolour the inside of the bladder but no biggie. I've even left the stuff in between rides by mistake and I'm still alive after using it for 2 years.

Once every month or so (probably around 12 rides) I'll clean it with some Milton.

+1 for me, I just make sure I rinse it out after a ride, and hang it up to dry out.

[mrmr96]

FarQue said:

Rinse the bladder then store in your freezer. No mould! Some will tell you that the bladder will degrade if you freeze it but mine is fine after two years of use and freezing.

Same here. I rinse and then dry it as much as practical and then bung it in the freezer. There will be some frost etc when you take it out, but just run it under the tap to thaw it out then fill it up.

In the hot weather I've been considering popping some ice cubes in the pack to help keep the water nice and cold whilst I'm out.

Regards the 'sweat' issue, maybe that comment was from someone who's not used a camelbak before? The design of the pads mean that it spaces the pack away from your back. So when I was out yesterday I didn't notice any extra sweating due to the pack on my back. I think it's actually a pretty good design in that respect TBH.

[sjg]

The carb-free ones are OK. It's the sugar in the "energy" drinks that feeds the bacteria that make it go nasty. Rinse and dry ( this kit from Decathlon helps and is way cheaper than the Camelbak one), ideally store it in the fridge or freezer too.

[IroningMan]

Mine lives in the freezer and is clear as a whistle after five years' service. Mostly just water, but occasionally Nuun and some USN energy stuff, too.

The only irritation is that the filler freezes solid if it's done up too tight when it goes in.

[Jimbo.]

Regards the 'sweat' issue, maybe that comment was from someone who's not used a camelbak before?

Wrong Used 'em for a few years on the MTB. Since ditched as they just serve to get on my tits: heavy, irritating and despite vents this and vents that, you will sweat like a 70s Radio 1 DJ when you're really pressing on.

[E38Ross]

Thanks chaps, good to know. Most of the time it'll likely be water.....I mean.....i never would really need 2 litres of energy drink!! it's mainly for mountain biking when I don't carry a bottle cage. The camelbak is superb as it has other small pockets big enough for carrying stuff and some food as well as a slot for another drinks bottle if needed.

thanks

[Viperzs]

mrmr96 said:

In the hot weather I've been considering popping some ice cubes in the pack to help keep the water nice and cold whilst I'm out.

The night before I go on a MTB ride I put 1L in my 3L reservoir and freeze it. Get it out in the morning and fill up the other 2 litres