I am an indoor rower so my needs are prolly different than yours. this product is quite excellent and allows me to row a full hour without having to let go of the chain for long periods of time. I barely missed a beat as the valve is quite easy to use at any angle. I don't like the velcro clip which doesn't allow me to get it at a nice angle to begin with, and even shifts a bit over an hour. I will prolly try to buy or rig a clip.
The pocket is big enough to stash stuff, I am pretty sure I could cram in even more into the bladder section which shrinks as I drink anyhow. There are places to clip on mp3 players etc, if necessary.
The thing is STRONG!!!! I tried the standing test, no leaks in transport. No leaks in use. It is a breeze to clean and dry which is very useful, especially if I want to manually dry it in a rush. I feel I could add juice as it would be easy to clean -very useful for rowing. A bit of muscle/dexterity is required to fully reverse the bladder.
The ventilation is miraculous. After rowing for an hour of continuous contact with my back, I was expecting to have been rubbed raw, sweaty as sin, and miserable. Not at all! The thing is very well designed, highly adjustable for length, girth etc. I did experience some chaffing on my lower back due to the stitching method of the shoulder strap on the lower insertion point. It is quite thick (strong) with two layers forming a solid corner. This diminished quickly with bladder shrinkage. Probably I need to play with it some more. Definitely an issue for a rower.
Basically it's size vs. convenience of cleaning. The Camelbak Tempo is bigger, but if it really becomes an issue, I can try to buy a larger bladder and see if it will fit. I may have gotten one of the good ones, but others have complained of leaks. That could be the case with any product. I believe they offer a lifetime warranty on the bladder.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jonny M
a Weekend Warrior
from UK Date Reviewed: February 5, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Ae
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$29.00
Purchased At:
Bike Fair
Strengths:
Comfy and well ventilated.
Looks nice and sleek.
Easy to clean and dry with open ended reservoir
Pocket can fit surprisingly large amount of stuff (I can get a mini pump (in with bladder) + wallet, keys, energy gell, phone and a spare tube in there at a push!)
Weaknesses:
I find valve a bit fiddly to open up when I want a drink.
Velcro tube holder isn't as good as the wee clip they use on other brands.
Mine leaks a tiny bit (only enough to make the bag a wee bitty damp) if I chuck it in the boot instead of hanging it up when driving to a mtb destination.
Similar Products Used:
Original camel back, back in the day.
Bike Setup:
Yeti Kokopelli with fox Floats
Bottom Line:
Nice compact sac with easy cleaning and drying, is great being able to dry it out so easily, let down for me by slight leak when left full & lying flat (no leak in use).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dr evil
a Weekend Warrior
from montreal Date Reviewed: January 31, 2004
Favorite Trail:
city streets
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
eddy bike
Strengths:
Looks great and fits perfectly. The system is very effective
Weaknesses:
I like the small pocket but if somebody needs something that can carrymore than your cell and keys you should get a bigger model
Similar Products Used:
a water bottle and my pockets
Bike Setup:
um... with little stickers on the side
Bottom Line:
Bottom line is that if you need a small profile water carrier it is for you. But if you need something that carry more that a cell phone and your key then you should get something bigger.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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