Just another consideration/angle.
Personally, I wouldn't want to add any more weight to the bike itself (eg in a frameback) if I was planning on any hike-a-bike. I'd much rather have the weight in a comfy backpack than sat on the frame pushing the downtube into the back of my neck.
And in those sort of circumstances, you'll probably have extra clothing and 3 litres of water, so a backpack is going to be the default option.
Horses for courses
IMO a camelback is a part of the “uniform”
That old chestnut.
Personally, I'd rather ride without one but find that they're the easiest way to carry water and a few bits and bobs. My pack has enough water for the ride - short ride = less water, longer rider and the 3l bladder is full. Other than that there's a pump, multitool, chain tool, spare tube and a couple of chain links and food if needed. Plus I can stash my phone and car ket safely. I try ro carry the bare minimum rather than the kitchen sink.
I had riding with stuff in my pockets (even those on the back of jersey's) more than I dislike riding with a pack.
One of my mates decided to switch to water bottles but still carries them in his pack! Instead of having a handily placed tube to drink from, he has to stop and open his pack to get his bottles out - which I think is silly. He says this is because he's lost loads of the fabric cageless bottles and still loses normal ones (which I've seen following him).
Just saw this:
IMO a camelback is a part of the “uniform”
Bugger off. I can't legitimately prefer something different to you without being a sheep or a fool?
I bought the very first Camelbak when it came out, in the mid 90s, when it was a padded rectangle with thin webbing straps, no pockets and a bladder that lasted about 3 months without leaking. I used it because I liked it, and I continue to use them because I like them. Is that not allowed? Is it not possible to legitimately prefer something different to you, without being led by marketing?
FFS!
I use one of these
http://www.sailandski.co.uk/acatalog/Dakine-Heli-Pack-12L-17-18-36259.html
Small and also has routing for water bladder. Don't even notice it's there
Bugger off. I can’t legitimately prefer something different to you without being a sheep or a fool?
It's ok, someone has mentioned a T5 too. Personally, I'm disappointed that no-one has criticised the rucksack choices made by Santa Cruz riders yet.
Is there a Singletrack version of Godwin's Law that states how long a thread has to go on before someone will start bashing T5 owning, Santa Cruz riders who use rucksacks at trail centres?
I bought the very first Camelbak when it came out, in the mid 90s,
I’ve still got two of those. Probably still covered in mud from the last time they were used twenty years ago.
I much prefer modern trail running packs over anything mtb-trend. A lot lighter and more stable, and some thought and design has gone into endurance and mobility comfort, rather than 'take generic rucksack design, add some internal pockets' which accounts for the majority of bike packs.
For years I have used a backpack just for convenience - time is always limited and if you know you have some essentials in the bag, you can just grab it and go. I'm a bumbling forgetful fool, especially first thing in the morning, so this saves me at least 15 mins of walking back and forth to the shed before a ride.
I sometimes carry too much stuff, but i'd rather that than having to walk home, even on a local ride. Once realised i'd unknowingly been carrying a D-Lock for a week or two. Felt sprightly on the next ride.
Currently experimenting with not using a backpack for longer rides, as it does get sweaty. My bike now looks like a packhorse.
Currently experimenting with not using a backpack for longer rides, as it does get sweaty. My bike now looks like a packhorse.
Over the years, I've greatly reduced what I carry when out on the trails from a full rucksack of clutter, down to a few bits in my back pockets and a tube strapped to the frame. Like others here, I don't like fastening stuff to the bike and prefer to carry it on my person, but my road riding has taught me to me much more frugal with what I take and, so far at least, it's not been a problem. Clothing tends to be the biggest pain as if you start a ride cold and need to strip off, it's a pain not having anywhere to stick a coat. Or, likewise, when you want to add layers, only having a back-pocket-coat is equally irritating (and freezing when in the hills!).
Is there a Singletrack version of Godwin’s Law that states how long a thread has to go on before someone will start bashing T5 owning, Santa Cruz riders who use rucksacks at trail centres?
Maybe but that period of time is vanishingly small. In many cases it's the OP 🙂
Slight thread hijack. This subject is one I have been debating for a while with friends...
I have decided that I need a largish rucsac for long days out and commuting. Anybody who can vouch for the Osprey Radial 26?
Most importantly, will it hit me in the back of the head if I am on the drop bar bike?
Hmm.. having said all that about rucksacks, I hate them with drops. If go for something low and cycling specific if I had to.
This kind of thing keeps the weight a bit lower. The Osprey looks like it's top heavy.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/deuter-race-rucksack/
on convenience - my seatpack is almost always packed with what I need and can fit on all my bikes easily. I have two bikes with pump clips and pumps always attached so its simply pick it up and go like you rucksac guys.
<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">This kind of thing keeps the weight a bit lower. The Osprey looks like it’s top heavy.</span>
FWIW, this is my exact pack and yes, the weight is very low on it. It also has a back suspension thingy thing that keeps the bag off your back thus reducing (but not completely eliminating) sweaty back syndrome. It's rugged and has lasted me a fair few years, but as mentioned above it gets less use these days than once it did. I can recommend it.
I try to manage without a rucksack. I can put a 550ml bottle, pump, spare tube, chain tool, quick link all on the bike, and put some energy bars in my back pocket.
MTB rides up to the low 30's (of kilometres) this is okay.
Up from the high 30's and into the 40's (of km's) it's really hard without a camelbag unless there is a mid ride shop or pub stop.
Figure of 8's (with the car in the middle of the 8) are quite easy to manage without a camelbag.
Trail centres are not too bad as they aren't very long e.g. Gisburn forest "the eight" and Cannock Chase "Monkey Trail" can refill at the car between doing a lap of the main trail before heading out again.
The Peak District and South Pennines usually have plenty of places to stop at to refill on drinks and food. I've done long rides, easily exceeding 50k, in these national parks, without a camelbag, but a few shop/pub calls have been necessary.
But on Lake District / Wales epics then a camelbag is essential I think
Without a camelbag it is also hard to manage layers. On some days it is hard to just get it right, so it's always good to have a camelbag so I can put that extra layer I didn't need into it, or carry a spare layer in case it gets too cold. Some days are really hard to "get right".
I don't find wearing a camelbag comfortable the straps irritates my neck on the right-hand side. I already have some sort of injury/problem with my right-hand side neck and the straps irritate it more than it would otherwise be irritated. So if I can go without the camelbag I will try my best to.
I always go out with my Mule, I overfill with water and probably take too many items to eat and fix my bike with but I know when i'm out I've got what i'll need to get me back. I've always found things on the frame get in the way and would not put another bottle there after seeing the state of my bike when I get back some times, who wants that in their mouth?!
For me it varies mostly according to the area I'm riding in as well as the predicted weather. I'll usually try not to have a rucksack but some places like the limestone areas of the Dales can be lacking in water supplies in summer so a Camelbak is then the better option. In places like the Lakes, North Wales or Scotland then water isn't usually a problem and I'll get away with just a single water bottle on the bike (muckynutz downtube mudguard keeps this clean). If I think I'm going to be in an area with dubious water then I'll take an MSR Trailshot water filter as well - this fits easily in an Alpkit top tube bag.
If the weather's going to be variable then things get a bit more awkward clothing wise as you need to adapt. The worst case is if something breaks and the weather has turned and you are in an exposed location.
Tools/spares: everything's on the bike. Pump is strapped to the bottle cage; multi-tool, tyre levers, puncture kit and spares are in the top tube bag.
