Water Bottle vs. Bladder, Or BOTH?

For my long trips I prefer a bladder. I take smaller liquid intake over shorter time spans. It gots to be better for me.

Yet on my last Erie Canal ride I had 2 water bottles and they were not enough. Each held 20 ounces. I usually carry a 100 ounce water bladder and it works great. You just have to unclip it before you get out of the saddle. Not a big problem.

 

I ride a Catrike expedition. I mounted a saddle bag rack over the rear tire, then I strap a Camelbak stowaway on it. the stowaway is 100 oz, and no extra straps to get caught in the spokes. Camelbak also sells a drink tube strap that snaps on the insulated tube, and clips to my shirt.

 

I run two bladders fount that I sacrifice too many after bottles to the Path, Sidewalk and Street gods.

 

When riding my DF I use a Camelbak along with water bottles. Not really a problem. Then I go out and purchased a trike...PROBLEM. Can't wear the Camelbak and there is only 1 count them ONE water bottle cage.

So what to do

• Do a lot of research on the net find a few items of interest
• Have a few discussions with the spouse
• Try to find a way to attach the Camelbak to the trike
• Off to the drawing board.

I made a small bag out of canvas that holds the 100 ounce bladder from my Camelbak. I attached the bag to the seat rails using parachute cord (sewn into the bag). The bag has 5 points of attachment.

• One at the top center that also supports the bladder
• Two midway between the top and bottom.
• Two at the bottom.

The bag supports the bladder at the bottom, at the fill opening and at the small hook at the top of the bladder. The bag is left on the trike and I remove the bladder to fill it. The hose is routed up between the seat back and the rail and to the right of the flag pole to keep if from falling off the trike.

Getting the full bladder into the bag is not as hard as I thought it was going to be. The weight of the water helps pull it into the bag.

The bag is not insulated, so the water warms a bit faster then when in the Camelbac, but other then that I am very please with the setup.

For the most part the hose just rests on my chest and I have water at my finger tips. As others have stated I drink more often, but less at one time using the Camelbak no matter if I'm riding one of the DF or on the trike.

It is not pretty, but it is functional. It would have been nice to have a different color canvas, say black or blue to match the trike, but it was what I had on hand.

The Trike has a rear rake and that keeps the bag from sliding towards the center of the seat.

By luck I had all the material on hand, left over from other projects so cost was basically $0.00.

Gary

 

I have a question about Sipper Tube - bottle set ups.

Is it preferable to locate the bottle up high so that it siphons into mouth or if its located low down - is it difficult to suck the water up.???

I purchased the "Giant" hydration system Tube with bite valve $19 , with was half the price of the better know brand. It is a thicker tube than the camel.

Cheers, Glenn.

 

Hi Glenn,

GREAT buy there Glenn


My setup seen in my post above puts the reservoir a little bit lower then if it was in the backpack. Comparing the two positions (this is subjective here, no scientific study), it seems to take the same effort to get the water out.

On a side note:
In an attempt to keep the water cool (not having a hose full of warm or even hot water) after I finish taking a drink, I blow the water back into the reservoir.

I don't always remember to do that so I get a drink of warm and sometimes hot water.



Gary

 

Both I use water bladders on my trike when I'm riding anywhere that way I don't sacrifice a water bottle to the path. And a water bottle when I'm riding the stationary bike at Planet Fitness. Would not use a water bottle of the trike due to high speed oh craps the water bottle falling out of the cage and having to go back for it. Or not realizing it's gone. So I've started and keeping the two water bladder system I have. If and when I do very long rides will see if I can go to quad bladder system two in on pannier and two in the other pannier. Then keep the food stuff in the small pockets.

 

Thats What I disliked about the Thick Tube, more water to warm up hanging out in the hot wind.
I see your point about blowing back after a sip but I dont think I could do it, I fear the Frothy remains in the bottle after a long ride...
- maybe If the bottle is nearly frozen before the the ride - I could get the balance right... I dont like drinking very cold water when breathing hard - tends to give me sore throat but Dislike Luke Warm water of course..... still have to drink

 

No "Frothy remains" in the bottle after the ride. Just blowing not spitting into the hose. Yes I know that my breath has moisture in it and that is being pushed up the hose, but that is rinsed out with the next drink. Just need to blow back to clear the hose not inflate the reservoir. You can hear the bubbles in the reservoir even when riding, just stop blowing when you hear them. With time you will be able to judge the amount of blow back needed to clear the tube and not inflate the reservoir. As the water level goes down in the reservoir the easier it is to blow back the hose water.

Gary

 

been trying out my sipper tube while riding, I like how you can have the tube in your mouth , breathe through your nose and take sips somewhere in between.
The novelty of the tube is probably making me drink more than usual

The bite valve works really well too, I was pleasantly surprised that it didnt leak when hanging against my chest

 

Ok , gave this method a go. Have to agree Gary, it is far preferable to get the liquid back in the bottle.

Been having some very hot afternoons - and sucking in that HOT water is " Really Horrible " when you are already Hot.

 

I have 2 Bladders, and use Them on Motorcycle Trips sometimes, but still prefer Water Bottles on the KMX Trike and my Mountain Bike.....

 

depends (not the undergarmet)

It absolutely depends on where you ride. I started my riding career in the desert and on a 35 mile route I started with a 100oz bladder and two 24 oz bottles. Most days I stopped near midway and refilled all of them just to get home and back into the AC.

Now, sad to say I do not hydrate enough here in the SE USA and usually pay for it with joint pain and weakness. My resolution this year is at least 24oz/15 miles. I have to make myself do it but so far I am being a good boy.

jerry