[Closed] freezing camelbak water pipe

Put it down your top when not in use or blow the water back into the bladder

Blow back into the pipe after each drink. That fills it full of air.

Insulate it with a neoprene pipe

Or just blow the water back into the reservoir after each drink

Ditto! I had the same problem yesterday. You can get an insulator for the tubes but how effective they are I don't know.

Oh - you can already buy insulated covers for the pipes but they only add a couple of degrees.

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[url= http://www.wiggle.co.uk/camelbak-thermal-control-kit/ ]£13 from Wiggle.[/url] As others have said tho, just blow it back into the bladder.

i did blow but cos it was freezing first thing i hadnt expected it to freeze solid within first 10 mins,

even blowing back into bladder doesn`t always work though, a couple of weeks ago walking in Black Mtn was -5.7c and windchill to -17c (25mph NE wind) and I had exactly same problem, tube froze solid within 30 min of start. I reckon in cold climes the solution is to put whole camelbak / pipe within your layer of outer shell clothing

I had one of the insulated tubes they still freeze up

the blow thing works, make sure no water is in your pipe, or bit valve, just blow back and leave the tube clear....worked a treat for me today, after a week back it frozen within about 5 mins of being stuck in the pipe 🙁 = no water for 3hours riding 🙁 gutting indeed!

still this worked today in equally as cold conditions!

Another option

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/camelbak-racebak-vest-item154358.html
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And run the tube inside your clothing

fill with hot water.

I've been filling my camelbak bladder with hot water (not boiling, just hot) although the pipe still froze in yesterdays Peaks ride, the windchill was brutal up on the tops. Fortunately, there was just enough give in it to crush it a bit between my fingers and that allowed me to suck some hot water through.
After that I just resorted to "little and often" sips to keep the flow going.

Blow back plus little and often

I usually find it's only the water in the bite valve that actuall freezes first, simply pop (the whole thing, big gob an advantage :wink:) into mouth and breathe in and out, hot air on exhale usually does the trick pretty quick.

Also a good idea to take (what is probably very cold to start with as this time of year) the water out of the tap and fill bladder well before setting off, giving the water time to warm to room temperature, I think that helps delay the freeze a little.

and, if like me you're too cheap to buy Camelback's neoprene hose, a length of climbing tape works just as well...

Rachel

Luckily, the effect of wind chill will be felt by you but doesnt significantly effect the true temperature at which water freezes.

Mental Mickey - Member
I usually find it's only the water in the bite valve that actuall freezes

In which case you're not out in very cold conditions.

Alcohol in place of water (y)

Not car anti-freeze though. That's not very nice.

The blow back works i do this when i go skiing and i never get a fully frozen pipe 😳

they freeze regardless of what you do. even if there is no water in the tube there is residual water in the bite valve that freezes. I have stopped using mine in cold temps opting to just carrying a wide mouthed nalgene bottle and carrying a bottle on the frame.

insulated covers for the pipes but they only add a couple of degrees

some salt will lower the freezing point!

😀 HTH

im sorry but i aint paying 77 pounds for that special white top ! 👿 😉
SALT ???? lol thats 👿 too !

hmmm i mite just take me leisurelakes bikes drinks bottle with me next time...
pretty harsh conditions around the pike and decending from 'Gaddings Dam' to the 'Shepherds Rest' today in 'singletrack land'.. the snow was pretty deep in places and much too soft so skidding everywhere.... wierd tho its was alot warmer higher up on the moor, then when i got down into the valley floor it was at least 5 degrees colder !

Temperature inversion - pretty common when there's little wind.

Very Hot Ribena , and the blow back technique , and an insulated tube , all mean i have never had a tube freeze on me. Then again I am south of the south downs so its always barmy down here.

Blow back + make sure the bite valve is fully empty.

druidh - Member
Mental Mickey - Member
I usually find it's only the water in the bite valve that actuall freezes
In which case you're not out in very cold conditions.

Is this some kinda d*ck size competition? 🙄

minus 5 to 15 so far, cold enough or are you going to tell me about that time in Siberia? 🙄

Depends on how big a camelback you use but for Arrowhead 135 this year I wore my camelback under my jacket and the hose just down the front of my jacket... used insulated pipe and also blew water back in but as others have said if temp is low enough doesn't take long for bite valve to freeze up 🙁

North Face do a battery powered heated hydration pack although no idea how well that works.

I would say a nalgene inside your camelback in a insulator if you have room and fil it with hot water.. pain in the arse to have to stop to drink but least you will be able to drink 🙂

I fouand drinkinh littlw and often to be best. I did get a frozen valve at one point, but i just kept the valve in my mouth for a minute or so and it cleared.

I just shove the tube down my jersey. Works fine.

I usually just go with the tube down my jacket, but if it's really cold the whole pack goes under my jacket.

I have that neoprene 'cold weather kit', but it's rubbish apart from the bite-valve cover, which helps a bit. I bit right through 2 frozen valves last winter trying to get water out.

Is this some kinda d*ck size competition?

Given the weather there will be some fairly underwhelming results 😉