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Submitted by
Randal
a Weekend Warrior
from Grand Junction, CO USA
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Horsethief Bench | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$82.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Rooomy! This is the first CamelBak Pack (I own 3 others)that actually allows me to commute to work and fit everything that I need for the day. Very stable, very comfortable. Exceptionally well made. Much better quality than my 2000 CamelBak Blowfish. | | Weaknesses: | None, other than I probably will still use my Blowfish for trail riding cause I just don't like lots of weight when I'm bouncing off of rocks. | | Similar Products Used: | Various CamelBak products | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Specialized S-Works Epic Disk w/ Manatou Minute 3:00, full XTR | | Bottom Line: | If you think you might want this pack, buy it now at Campmor.com. They have it on sale right now for an incredible $69.95 !!!!! (as of Nov. 15th, 2004) | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MsMittens
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | Europe Bound | | Strengths: | Very roomy and seems sturdy. Sits nice on the back and not on the lower lumbar region (something I've had problems with in smaller backpack configurations). | | Weaknesses: | Haven't found any except that one of the elastic tightners came off. Very happy with it. | | Similar Products Used: | standard water bottles | | Bike Setup: | DeVinci Patriot. | | Bottom Line: | For me it's worth it because I can use it on my shorter trips (300KM or less) and it's still good for commuting to and from work along with clothes. I'll also use it for my longer trips (350KM+) to handle remote areas with limited access to services as well as having the immediate important things handy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a Cross Country Rider
from Marin, Calif., USA
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | ON-LINE CATALOG | | Strengths: | Plenty of storage space, 100 oz. big mouth fill bladder, ergo bend and big bite valve, chest and waist straps. Excellent pack for day hikes - side mesh pockets will hold qt. size Nalgenes, bananas, whatever. | | Weaknesses: | Not recommended for long mountain bike rides. Pretty heavy when loaded down with water and other gear you may want to carry along. Really changes your balance, too top heavy. I'll stick with the 70 oz. C'back classic for long rides! | | Similar Products Used: | Camelback Classic, Jansport fanny pack with dual water bottle side carriers | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fischer Big Sur | | Bottom Line: | Highly recommended for day hikes, not recommended for long rides. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikesmart.com | | Strengths: | This thing is great, I use it for everything. I can get it all in, have something to drink, and still have room for other crap. | | Weaknesses: | Nothing so far... | | Similar Products Used: | Hawg, Alpine | | Bike Setup: | Klein Adroit w/XTR and fox fork | | Bottom Line: | Buy it online...$30 cheaper than anything youll find in a store. Great product, i have no complaints, and i highly recomend it to any rider. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joel
a Cross Country Rider
from Lancaster, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Cannell Plunge | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Durable, roomy, has a raincover that stows, typical CamelBak quality | | Weaknesses: | A bit pricey. So much room that you find yourself taking more stuff than what you actually need...OR...your buddies think that since you have the room, YOU can carry their extra stuff... | | Similar Products Used: | CamelBak, original, Pakster (remember those?), and Mule | | Bike Setup: | Specialized M2, Marzocchi Atom Z2, XT/XTR, Race Face, Easton, Velomax Climax's | | Bottom Line: | Expensive, but well worth it...no more strapping everything to the OUTSIDE of my mule...a must have for those epic's... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chad
a Cross Country Rider
from brooklyn
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Strengths: | Very comfortable and light. Very well designed and durable pack. Perfect for clothes, tools, food, fits absolutely everything. I especially like the attached rain cover and the mesh netting. The weight difference between this pack and other camelbaks is typically no more than a pound, so it's well worth having the extra space when you need it. when you don't need the room, you can compress the pack down, it's totally malleable. great great design. | | Weaknesses: | nothing. i've had no wear whatsoever on the pack and have been using it for a year. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | klein hardtail | | Bottom Line: | this is an awesome, very versatile pack. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a
from Lansing, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Fort Custer | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | http://www.bikesmart.com | | Strengths: | Big, lots of pack room and lots of water. | | Weaknesses: | Weak stiching. Can't hold much weight. | | Bottom Line: | Really big, but can't actually hold much. Since I bike commute to school I bought it to double to hold my books in during the week, and something to trail ride with on the weekend.
I loved it until I started school. In two weeks the stiching around the zippers in the main compartment have started fraying.
If you need lots of space for light items like clothing it's great. But don't expect it to be that versitile. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J WGG
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Hardwood Hills | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Design, materials, and available space. | | Weaknesses: | Nothing to note as of yet. | | Similar Products Used: | ROCKET, BLOWFISH, AND M.U.L.E. | | Bike Setup: | Zaskar X, RF next LP crank, ti BB, Thompson Stem, XTR RD. | | Bottom Line: | Space,Space,Space...wicked design, comfortable, and got a great deal on it. If you are serious about adventure racing or long rides, get it and suck up the cost. Camelback is the the leader in hydration systems and I have loved every item I have owned from them. GET ONE NOW! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Flyer
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Quality construction by a company who innovated this type of product. | | Weaknesses: | None that I can find! | | Similar Products Used: | Camelbak Mule and HAWG | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Giant NRS AIR, 2002 Giant xtc se2 with many upgrades. | | Bottom Line: | I have been using a HAWG, however once I got all my stuff in there, I felt like the pack was pulling me backwards a bit since it was so full. I think the amount of stuff I carry (NMBP Patroller) was causing the pack to be bulky enough to have the weight away from my back far enough to get a sensation of a balance problem. I tried a Trans Alp, and no problems now! I get all the same gear in and it is closer to my back instead of stacked further away, and it feels much more balanced! The extra room is nice for jackets or other seasonal items. In addition, I can carry all my usual gear, and there is more than enough room to put an extra bladder in there if the need arose. I couldn't do that with the HAWG and still carry all my equipment. Definately a good purchase if you haul lots of gear, or want something you can hike and bike with. Probably not a good choice if you want to be streamlined or simply don't carry that much extra equipment when you ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ProcaliberWill
a
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$142.00 | | Purchased At: | Lombardi's Sport | | Strengths: | Very roomy, like a backpack but with the right type of ventilation material. Holds shoes and helmet for longer or overnight rides. Has a rainfly that works. | | Weaknesses: | 2001 looks much better than the 2000. The 2000 I used began to get all deformed because the straps holding it together were wearing out. The 2001 fixed that with the helmet cover pouch the kinda wraps the bag. It looks much better too. Greatest weakness is the price and lack of warranty. Lombardi's was kind enough to replace my 2000 for a 2001 after I came in with a retarded looking TransAlp. Not enough easy access pockets for food or tools. | | Similar Products Used: | Mule
Lowe Alpine
| | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Procaliber OCLV version | | Bottom Line: | Get it if your planning to use it for more than one activity. I realized the Mule was setting me back when I was snowboarding and hiking since it lacked a good amount of space. It also looked a little funny when I used it for other sports, although I could care less. The Hawg is my next investment since it seems to be halfway between my dilemma of space. The TransAlp is perfect for the climber or epic trip. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Hibbing, Mn. U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | The Old Hull Road | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | price point | | Strengths: | lots and lots of room!!
rain cover that really works!
works good in winter months also!!
100 oz. bladder. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | other non specific back packs | | Bike Setup: | Trek Fuel 90 Disc | | Bottom Line: | i ride by myself for the most part. with the Trans Alp i can pack a lunch or two, and still have room for the other things i need on my long rides.
if you ride by yourself this pack is a must!!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Littleton, CO
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | All of Them | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$129.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Plenty of pockets and several ways to adjust the straps. The rain cover is a great bonus. | | Weaknesses: | Even when the straps are fully extended, inside pocket access is a little tight. | | Similar Products Used: | Camelback Flash-Flow | | Bottom Line: | A great pack redesigned for 2001. I can put everything I need in this pack for a day ride or use it on a long hike. It's very versitile and comfortable. I don't know what the previous design was but the shoulder straps are contoured, the pack is padded against your back and it has an outer zippered pocket for quick access to an energy bar or your keys. I wanted a pack that is multi-purpose and this one does it all. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Greene
a Cross Country Rider
from Mountain VIew, CA
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Wilder Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Storage Space, design. | | Weaknesses: | None. It soes exactly what it is designed to do. | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Gary Fisher Kaitai plus upgrades. | | Bottom Line: | I love it. This pack is definetly designed for longer rides. If your going on a supported group ride, this is more pack than you need. If you ride solo or are going for long rides, I wouldn't bring any thing else. The pack's storage area is designed perfectly. Everything in it's place and a place for everything. I use the extra space that the H.A.W.G is lacking all the time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Massachusetts
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$115.00 | | Strengths: | huge 1500 cubic inch storage capacity
strong and very durable construction (durable=heavy)
external mesh pockets that securely hold helmet and shoes
enough straps to tighten anything... or tie anything to the outside of the pack
integrated raincover that works
detachable reflective strips
seperate compartment (inside the big one) for wet cloths storage that cinchs tight
| | Weaknesses: | not much i can complain about really, i could say its heavy... but it needs to be to be this durable and you don't feel the weight once its on your back, i could say the straps are to long and the extras dangle but you can easily tuck them into one of the mesh pockets and you never know when you will all that length for something.
only thing that would be nice is if it had one or two more small zippered compartments on the outside... not that there isn't enought storage - it just takes a minute to search through everything to find what you need sometimes | | Similar Products Used: | regular backpacks | | Bottom Line: | I use this pack every day for commuting in all weather, and it hasn't let me down... i can definately reccomend this product. my shoes are held tightly in the mesh pockets by two straps and covered by the rain cover to keep them dry. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Strengths: | lots o space, durable, nice padding, rain cover | | Weaknesses: | can't they design a better way to put the bladder back in while the pack is full! It is a bit on the heavy side. several lbs before you even put anything in it. | | Similar Products Used: | many different Camelbaks | | Bottom Line: | Just used this pack on an almost through trip of the Colorado Trail on bikes. Had it on my back for 8 days, 12-13 hours a day. Pack is as comfortable as can be expected for it's type. Built in rain cover is an awsome feature, it fits well and was used many times. Mesh shoe pockets work well. Compression straps hold everything tight in place.
Great pack for LONG day rides or multi-day trips if used in conjunction with a rack of some kind (Delta Postporter NOT recommended...see reviews) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Murph
a Cross Country Rider
from Longmont, CO
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Monarch Crest | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Large, carries more than one bladder, great compression system, very comfortable. | | Weaknesses: | Large; so big that you may not be able to find stuff in it. The old backpacking technique of using stuff sacks to keep organized helps. | | Similar Products Used: | North Face Out of Bounds pack. | | Bike Setup: | Turner XCE | | Bottom Line: | This is a great pack for those epic or bad weather rides. I used it throughout this past winter and on the Commando Run from Vail Pass last week. Since I have been snowed on during this summer ride before I decided to be prepared for anything this time. I couldn't believe how heavy the Trans-Alp was, but once a strapped it on it felt like my Mule. The compression system tighten is everything to the point where you don't feel the weight even when bouncing around on tight single track. The Trans-Alp also works great for commuting or lugging that DH armor to the top of a climb.
If you are looking for a large "day" pack that you can use for mountain biking, skiing, snow boarding, hiking, etc., definitely take a look at the Trans-Alp.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kim
a Weekend Warrior
from Las Vegas
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Holds tons of water, you'll never run out!
Lots of storage space
incredibly sturdy, great in the rain, doesn't slosh around | | Weaknesses: | straps are a little uncomfortable, I hear 2000 model is better
the pack is not very lightweight | | Similar Products Used: | regular back packs
water bottles | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F400
Headshock | | Bottom Line: | It's an amazing pack for hiking!!! I love it!! It's endured 10 days of hut to hut trekking in the Swiss Alps, weekly day hikes in the desert and mountains. It's one of the best investments I've made. The pack itself could be a little more lightweight and the straps are a little annoying. All in all it is fantastic. It holds 2 days of clothes, a light jacket, lunch, 100 oz. of water, tools, a camera, etc. etc. IT NEVER LEAKS! Through a full year of use it still looks like new. The little rain cover really works. My pack stayed completely dry through a downpour. Aardvarkcycles.com seems to have the best prices
on all Camelbak stuff plus free shipping! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Uhl
a Cross-Country Rider
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: August 10, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Size | | Weaknesses: |
comfort | | Similar Products Used: |
None yet | | Bottom Line: | I bought the bag based on it's size, thinking since it was so large it was better suited to very long-distance on/off-road rides rather than banzai singletrack. It's not - for long-distance riding, I realize now that you want an internal-frame pack with more support. For single-track when you're racing your friends, stick with the normal small camelbaks. When this pack is loaded with gear, it is ver bottom-heavy and the padded hip belt doesn't carry as much wieght as it should, even when fastened painfully tight. So the rest of the weight goes on your shoulders. And the backpad isn't comfortable when it rides along your spine for 50 miles. I paid $130 (at REI - admittedly too much) but for the same price you could buy a nice comfy small internal-frame pack and put a bladder in it. Then you'd also have a pack that could be used for long skiing trips and simple overnight hiking trips. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
???
a Racer
from Troy, NY
Date Reviewed: July 13, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Peebles Island | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Big bladder
lots of room
looks good
straps up tight | | Weaknesses: |
NONE!!! | | Similar Products Used: |
e'thing | | Bike Setup: |
N\A | | Bottom Line: | This bag is awesome. It holds a ton of H2O, cargo, or both. It straps on real tight, so you can still leap over downed trees and what not without it flopping around. The straps have plenty of padding in my opinion. Also, I cinch it up as tight as possible, and the straps have never forced water out of the bladder. It even has a cool looking yellow rain gaurd that is sewn into the bottom pocket, and fits around the bag. If you can afford it, get this bag. I give it 5 flaming chilies. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
The Unknown Consumer
a Cross-Country Rider
from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: April 1, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
I still lust for Pocupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Storage - lots
Fit - is has all the stabilization straps of a good backpack
Chicks dig it | | Weaknesses: |
I would like to see it have another, maybe several small outside pockets. The biggest pain was that the hose hole was not large enough to fit the mouthpiece through. Some cutting required | | Similar Products Used: |
I have a Hawg - size not considered, this thing has a far superior(sp) strapping system | | Bike Setup: |
Santa Cruz Superlight | | Bottom Line: | Nice bag - if you are looking for lot of storage with a great fastening system - this is for you. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jody
a Cross-Country Rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: March 31, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Emma Long Moto-X | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Lots of stowage, room for 2-100oz bladders, stays in place on your back | | Weaknesses: |
compression straps can squeeze water out of bladder, shoulder straps need more padding for heavy loads | | Similar Products Used: |
Camelbak MULE | | Bike Setup: |
n/a | | Bottom Line: | This is a version 1.0 product, so you'd expect a glitch or two. But there are remarkably few and those are minor. I wanted to ride my bike to work everyday and needed to carry a change of clothes, towel and shaving kit on the bike. Now I can ride everyday! | | Overall Rating: |
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