Submitted by
noapathy
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbia, MO, US Date Reviewed: June 24, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
nashbar
Strengths:
pretty comfortable
light weight
looks nice
Weaknesses:
difficult access to water
no space for anything
annoying to refill
Similar Products Used:
Camelbak, Blackburn
Bike Setup:
N/A
Bottom Line:
It's nice looking and comfy once you get it on, but until then look out. Any time saved cleaning by the reversible pouch is quickly used up trying to squeeze the thing in through the TINY side zipper. The ability to disconnect the hose is ok, but overrated. And I know this is a minimalist pack, but its tiny compartment is nearly impossible to get to without first removing the water pouch. Who wants to go through that every time? One last complaint...the thing looks strong except for the stretchy material in the middle, which reminds me more of panty hose than anything durable/rugged. I doubt it'll last more than a year. So if you don't mind the hassle beforehand and having to replace it, get this. If you're like me and want grab 'n' go equipment that's useable for some time to come, stay away from this model.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Big Al
a Racer
from O-town, Utah Date Reviewed: July 25, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Bike Nashbar
Strengths:
HUGE bang for the buck; light weight. Perfect for sport class racing when you don't have support to hand you bottles. Excellent water flow. Can barely feel it on your back and breaths well. Great for road group riding and can feed the tube from top or bottom; seems to work better from the bottom for road riding. You can turn the bladder inside out and wash it easily, and you can throw it in the dishwasher! During rides, you can access your jersey pockets easily. Beautifully designed pack with pretty creative designs.
Weaknesses:
A bit tricky to get the bladder in place due to the sideways entry design (it doesn't have the gravity assist drop). Let's see how long it last.
Similar Products Used:
Camel back mule.
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher Sugar 2 MTB; Trek 5900 road bike
Bottom Line:
Absolutely excellent pack for the money. The pack for people who hate anything on their back (who refuse to part from water bottles); or just want a bit more water while using bike-mounted water bottles. Perfect for racing or fast after-work group rides. Since there's little storage space, you have to be a bit creative on where to put things, but you can work it out (frame mount your pump and use your jersey pockets). I still have my mule for big epics.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Barbara Date Reviewed: December 5, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Epics
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$29.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Lifted Pads, Molded to fit curve of your back = COMFORT, Light, Some Storage, Good Bladder and Mouth Piece.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Camelback Mule
Bike Setup:
Custom Weyless
Bottom Line:
This is the best light weight hydrapack for moderate rides. Tinker who races for Canondale uses this pack. I decided to check it out because I needed a smaller pack than my Mule. What I like the most is the pads which lift the pack off your back allowing air to flow. This also helps keep the water and your back cooler! The pack is molded to fit the curve of your back. Excellent design and quality.
The pack even has a small storage section which is enough for a cellphone, small tire pump, tire patchkit, car keys and small bike tool. I have fitted all this including a spare chainlink without problem (I put these things inside a plastic zip-lock baggy and then place inside pack). There is even a pocket which can be used for sunglasses or cellphone!
I rate this product the best in its class for a 50oz waterpack without a doubt!
They just came out with the Hydrapak Keg 100oz which has the same molded and standoff padding. But its pricey $90-$100. Use Ebay or search for best price. This pack is far better than my Mule but I only paid $35 for the Mule so?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Phil T
a Cross Country Rider
from Northern Virginia Date Reviewed: November 22, 2003
Favorite Trail:
WO&D trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$26.00
Purchased At:
REI
Strengths:
Small size/lightness, stays off your back, color scheme
I will use this mainly for road. It holds 50oz, (about 2 bottles) and has a zipped compartment for keys and some bars/gel packs. It is quite comfortable, due to lightness and it actually allows air to flow between the pack and your back. You can easily get your hand inside bladder to clean.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Doug Gangi
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix, AZ Date Reviewed: October 17, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Any I am riding on
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
Comfortable rounded skeleton, pads keep the pack off your back for breathability, aerodynamic, Hydrapack bladder and bite valve - the best around
Weaknesses:
Small - but that's why I bought it. This will be a secondary water source on long road bike rides (2 bottles being the primary)
Similar Products Used:
Camelback, Blackburn
Bike Setup:
2003 Fuji Team road bike
Bottom Line:
This is a really cool pack. There aren't many water packs on the market that are meant for road biking. Well this one is -- the pack is constructed of a semi-solid plastic skeleton that is curved to fit your back while you are hunched over. The pack is small and streamlined -- very nice. And it has a way cool color scheme!
In my opinion, Hydrapacks make the best bladders and bite valves in the business. I have been using a Hydrapack for my mountain bike for a long time and I really enjoy them. The bladders can open completley, so it is VERY easy to fill them with water and ice and clean them out afterwards. And the bite valve is an absolute work of art -- an example of simple science doing what it is supposed to and nothing more. Just bite on the valve and suck and you get lots of water. Stop biting and the valve seals immediately -- no leaks or drips. Fabulous.
If you are a roadie and you want a water pack, this is the one to get. It's small, light weight, and functional. The only downside is the storage capacity (50 oz and a small carrying pocket), but this bag is designed to be minimalist for a reason.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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