Hydration pack advice wanted

[Kritou]

I have what promises to be a very hot three week long trip coming up this summer. Camelbak type hydration packs seem to be the order of the day but I don't don't like wearing a backpack on long rides. I have found a supplier of OEM 2.5L bladders for about £10 and the 40" tube would be long enough to keep the bladder in my topbox

Would this option be workable - has anyone tried it?

[Paul Young]

My various tw@t jackets have bladder storage pockets built into them, & routing for the tube to bring it out near your shoulder. Most hydration packs have short tubes, though, so these need replacing in order to work.

I picked up an army surplus Camelbak for £10 a few weeks ago, & have just added it to one of the UK army vests for another £15. It's vented, much more comfy than using a backpack & gives loads of storage.

Food for thought...?

[cookie]

i've used platypus kit in a tank bag for years. works great :)

[Toad]

i've used platypus kit in a tank bag for years. works great :)

+1

Works for me especially with a pillion on.

[rocks]

40" sounds like a long tube length to me.. you will probably find it hard to draw much water out of it, with a tube that long.

I would get one you can carry on your back, so it will be with you when you get off to fuel up etc. Not having to worry about, getting off with the tube still attached to you.

[Schtum]

I have found a supplier of OEM 2.5L bladders for about £10 and the 40" tube would be long enough to keep the bladder in my topbox

Would this option be workable - has anyone tried it?

40" is a long way to suck water through and it will inevitably heat up on its journey. You can get pipe insulation and indeed I have one of my Camelbaks fitted with it but it does make the tube quite a bit thicker and stiffer which might be a bit too much for 40" of pipe....:angel

[Shadwell]

the idea with a camelbak is to blow air into the pouch rather than suck.

as the outlet valve is at the bottom of the pouch the pressure of the air then pushes the fluid up the tube and into your mouth so no need for sucking :jager

[andyclift]

For motorcycle use there is only one maker to consider - Kriega

http://www.kriega.com/pages_uk/hydro3/hydro-topframeset.html

It's tough and, unlike other packs designed for walking, has shoulder straps designed for use on a motorcycle although I have also found mine very comfortable on long distance challenge walks. Not cheap but worth every penny.

My wife and I have been using them for three years and they are great. They also have flexibility as in addition to a small waterproof kit pocket they can also be fitted with the range of Kriega add-on pockets. As with all Kriega products the quality is second to none.

I also have the hydration pack for my Rallye jacket and would definitely NOT suggest it. It's a pig to get the bladder and pipe set up, the additional weight of water on the back of a heavy jacket drags the back down and it's a nightmare trying to refill the bladder. It also means that when you want to carry water you must wear the jacket. We have used our Kriega packs when sightseeing in Southern Europe with our bike jackets left in Pacsafe mesh on the bikes.

I understand the 2010 Rallye jacket has redesigned access to the bladder but that still mans the jacket must be worn whenever water is wanted.

Check Google for the Kriega as they can be bought cheaper than Kriega's own web site. I bought ours from http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=12310


the idea with a camelbak is to blow air into the pouch rather than suck.

as the outlet valve is at the bottom of the pouch the pressure of the air then pushes the fluid up the tube and into your mouth so no need for sucking

Back to school. Water finds its own level so the length of pipe has little to do with the amount of "suck" needed. Its the amount of empty pipe, i.e. the pipe above the water level in the bladder that matters. If this is too long one needs to suck for a long time but the effort needed is pretty much the same as, however long the pipe, the important thing is the height you need to raise the water. Therefore packpack packs are easiest, Tank bag packs are harder unless you lay on the tank and the Rallye jacket pack tend to have the water low on the back so is also harder.

[scubaGSA]

I have used this camelback for all my longer trips and also for the BMW Offroad course, its lightweight and really comfortable easy to fill up and easy to drink from. Highly recommend it

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/LargeImage.aspx?ModelID=31785&FileName=31785-1.jpg

[Paul Young]

British Army version is very similar, with a tough 3 litre bladder & 1000 dernier cordura. Great as long as you don't mind the desert camo look...

http://i.ebayimg.com/09/!Bo8Bk0g!Wk~$(KGrHqUH-EUEub,,GIVfBLpgJhcddQ~~_35.JPG

[STUBBS]

camelback on top of the topbox or in the tank bag

[Dakar Gal]

+1 for the Kreiga Pack.

I have tried camel bak and a few other cheaper brands. All others gave me sore shoulders after a long ride. Just the feeling of something on my back was restrictive.
With the kreiga, I can carry more water, and not feel any discomfort after a long spin. I think it has to do with the way the straps are designed. They curve in to sit well on your shoulders. Chest strap stays where it is supposed to be, and doesnt ride up to your neck - like Ive found with most others.
Well worth the extra investment.

[twisticles]

I've got an army surplus camelbak, and the only time I ever use it is when walking for more than a couple of hours.

I don't know, here in singapore the temp is constant at 32 celcius and humidity at 90%+. We ride all day, up in to Malaysia where it gets hotter and none of us ever even think about taking a bladder. A couple of 500ml bottles and off we go.

I guess if you're out in the middle of nowhere then you want to carry more than a litre, but still a 2L bladder ain't going to be enough and you wouldn't want to be wearing more than that in a backpack bladder.

Stop at every roadside stall for a local drink, meet the people, take photos...that's where the adventure lies :roll