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Camelbak HydroBak

MSRP $
# of Reviews 7
Average Rating 3.71/5
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Submitted by Eric a Downhiller from Campbell River, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2006
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Price Paid: $45.00
Purchased At:Sport Chek in Canada
Strengths:The pack can be used without the bladder
Can take ice cubes if it isn't leaking
The valve is easy drink from
Weaknesses:Leaks around the lid
Not enough straps
Not enough pockets
Awkward to fill [bladder has to be taken halfway out]

Similar Products Used:None [My first hydration pack, but I have a Roach Indy on its way]
Bottom Line:This product is ok for the first year but then it will leak.
If it had more pockets, more straps and a bigger bladder it would be much better.
Value Rating:3Overall Rating:2

Submitted by Adam a Weekend Warrior from Cleveland, OH
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2005
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $15.00
Purchased At:ebags.com
Strengths:This is a rateing for the 2004 model which is a lot cooler looking than the picture above. It's light, doesn't get too sweaty, good insulation, good bite valve, holds enough water for a 2 hour ride. So far good quality. You can add ice through the big opening on top, oh yeah its got a big opening on top for "easy" water adding. Fairly light. FRIGGIN CHEAP!!!!
Weaknesses:No frills, no pockets, can't clean the tube (but that's true about all of these products). Says it holds 1.5L but its really like 1.25.
Similar Products Used:Platypus. It leaked but EMS replaced it free (lifetime warranty) but no big opening at top of reservoir.
Bike Setup:eh, it varies like the tides.
Bottom Line:It's cheap and hydrates you very well. The quality looks good so far. I stuff a beer bottle in the reservior to dry it out instead of paying for the drying rack. You need more than two water bottles for a ride, don't kid yourself. Get this one, or if you NEED more storage space, spend the 3 times the amount for a model with pockets ::sarcasm included::. Go to ebags.com and find some coupons online, I got mine for $14 shipped. For that price it's a steal and a must have.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by jerome a Weekend Warrior from ma
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2003
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Price Paid: $20.00
Strengths:light and gets the job done
Weaknesses:flops around if ur jumping, resevoir kinda small and i poped a hole in my bladder, could have used a pouch for a tool or something
Bottom Line:good deal for $20, and ur jsut riding around town but go with teh Mule if u need to carry anything around with you
Value Rating:3Overall Rating:3

Submitted by Aaron a Cross Country Rider from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2002
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $20.00
Purchased At:jensonusa
Strengths:Quality construction, holds enough water, big bite valve, and light weight.
Weaknesses:Doesnt come with cleaning supplies.
Similar Products Used:waterbottles and garden hoses
Bottom Line:Im a beginner mountain biker who quickly realized the need for more than what a waterbottle can carry. I checked out the online reviews of camelbaks and hydrapacks and found that the camelbak has a better reputation for quality. With that in mind I needed to determine which model to choose. Price being a big consideration, I stuck with shopping for paks in the under $40 range. Not needing all the extra storage the other packs have, I found this bare bones model to suit me best.

Now, on to the specifics. This pack is great. It works great because it does not leak and it stays in place so that I only notice it when I get thirsty. The big bite valve is great and it lets you slurp it down when needed. This pack should also work well on the motorcycle to provide quick hydration, a refreshing splash, or even to wash of my goggles on those dusty trails.

The only problem I can find with this item is that it would have been nice if it came with a cleaning brush and a drying rack. I would be more than willing to pay a few extra dollars for the whole package deal than to spend more on buying each item individually. If you dont want to buy a drying rack, I suggest using an empty paper towel roll to wedge in the opening to open it up and let it air out. Im sure there are other similar objects that will work fine too. As far as a cleaning brush goes, a bottle brush will clean the reservoir, but not inside the tube.

All in all, this is a great item. It scored 5 flaming poos for overall rating due to its quality, ease of use, and great fit. It gets 4 flamers for value because its still cheap, but could have used some extras.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:5

Submitted by G-Man a Weekend Warrior from VA
Date Reviewed: September 17, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Small enough for kids
Weaknesses:
Still too big for kids
Bottom Line:Got this product for my daughter and she digs it. It's still a little bit loose on the straps but the length and capacity is just okay.
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Brian Schuler a Racer from Madison, Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: June 23, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Quary Park, And my 20 acres of filled with all sortes of trails.
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
its not big and bulky, and it has the big gulp valve.
Weaknesses:
the valve starts to lesak after a while and the cap seal breaks and the water leaks out.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
97 rock hopper, and Manitou Spyder R
Bottom Line:it does the job but it has some faults in the bladder.
Overall Rating:2

Submitted by Nicolás Rocca a racer from Chile
Date Reviewed: December 21, 1998
Bottom Line:

 High precision cold forged alluminum.
  
  KOOL STOP pads.
  
  Tektro's easy installation / adjustment   design.
 
  Internationally race proven.
  
  Dual-tensioned linear springs.
  
  Wide splay angle for quick tyre removal.
 
 Unique splay limitation safety feature, in  case of  cable breakage.
    
No, that isn't all the features!
We haven't even told you yet :-
You only need 2 tools (2mm and 5mm Allen wrench) to install or adjust or do anything to this brake.
We've incorporated stainless steel hardware to avoid rust.
That you can put many of your old favorite canti pads on the 820's.
That these brakes don't act like an alarm clock on the trail. We didn't put a rattling parallel pushing mechanism on them.
That there isn't a $him kit available for these brakes, cos our 820's don't need one.
So that's still not enough features?
Well try this one
Available in two colors
   
GRAY
         or           
SATIN SILVER
Overall Rating:5






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