If you're heading out for a 4-6 hour hard ride, then take this sleek pack along to carry a load of water, essential munchies and gear. 3-quart fluid capacity is enough to keep you hydrated on even the hottest rides. Features an expanding QuickStash pocket to carry an extra jacket or gloves; 3-D exterior tool pocket holds your tool kit and tube. Insulated reservoir pouch keeps liquids cool; CoolMax(R) padded shoulder straps and backpanel helps wick moisture and dries quickly. Features the Roll-Top SporTank with a 5-inch opening for easy filling and cleaning, and the Screamer Valve for delivering a huge flow of liquids. Adjustable sternum strap; adjustable, removable shock cord system.
Submitted by
FreeSpirit1999
a Weekend Warrior
from Washington, DC
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2010
Strengths: Drink without thinking! Don't have to take my hands off my handlebars to drink... get to work not thirsty. Great start to the day. Not thirsty anymore. Can swap bottles out on the fly too! So simple, but makes all the difference..
Weaknesses: Wish it had come out sooner... I've been looking for this product for too long.
Bottom Line:
I actually am referring to another hydration system called SipStream.. Except instead of carrying it on your back, you carry it on your bike!!!! I've had mine almost a year now and loving it. For all you cyclists out there, check it out -- www.sipstream.com You won't regret it!
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Canberra, ACT Australia
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2003
Strengths: Good size fits lots, the roll-top bladder is the best to fill and close, easeier and less fiddley than Camelback screw caps.
Weaknesses: Bite valve, not enough flow, susceptible to breakage. Also, elastic straps no good for bunny-hopping, jumping and other times you are airborne.
Bottom Line:
Craigy is right about two things, it stores everything an mtber needs for a long ride and the bite valve is a bad design. The red plastic 'jaws' inside are hinged and the hinge broke this morning. I can no longer get water out. I could never get a big amount out of it at the best of times. The Camelback valve is better, we all agree to that. The UD bladder is better though. My other beef is that the waist and sternum straps are elastic, so when I bunny hop or use lots of body-English, the pack moves around on my back. If you can bunny-hops in flats, then you will know what I mean when I say that when it floats off my back mid movement, it interupts that bunny-hopping rhythm. It would not matter to you though if you rode more sedately than I do.
Strengths: 96oz bladder, keen fitting straps, I barely notice it's on, price, it's not a camelbak, I can carry just what I need for an all dayer
Weaknesses: bite valve truly awful - how UD could release a bite valve that is so obviously pants I don't know!!!! When not bitten the valve stays closed and when bitten the valve is opened, this much is obvious. The design is all wrong it just won't work. Beacuse when the bite valve is closed it has huge gaps in the side, these are supposedly blocked by the rubber covering of the valve itself, the gaps are just too big to be blocked in this way, the whole design is really shoddy, it dripped all over the place after the first sip and had to be constantly moved as it was draining valuable h20 onto the floor, the only way to be sure of a no-drip situation is to keep the mouthpiece in your mouth - which is not al all what you want...is it?
Bottom Line:
For $35 (including p&p) this pack is a great water carrier. It is easy to fiull up and clean and you can jam plenty of ice in the wide neck as well, the roll top design is innovative and it works. The (60z bladder is huge and great for all day rides), the pack is snug fitting and barely noticeable when worn, It slips on and off easily, I can carry in it the following, two spare tubes, two bananas, map, tyre levers(3), spare chain links, alien tool, patch kit, $30 dollars, two goo packets, and a bandana. It still felt featherlight on my back.
The Bite valve is a terribly awful and badly designed part, a really dumb design executed badly...I swapped to a Camelbak ergo angle and big bite valve and I am now drip free.
Gets four chillis beacuse of the valve (it's truly terrible) and the fact that cos' it's about as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike you have to spend another $8 on a new valve - other than it is perfect for me... :)
Similar Products Used: platypus bladder in a NorthFace bumbag, water bottles
Bike Setup: Klein
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Submitted by
JixDog
a Cross Country Rider
from Livermore, CA
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2002
Strengths: Resevoir size, comfort, easy to use
Weaknesses: Bite valve leaks
Bottom Line:
For the cost, this pack is great. On my first ride with it, all it did was leak and get my leg drenched. Replaced it with Camelbak Big Bite. The only other thing I would change is to put a cap on the resevoir. After you fill the resevoir, you have to roll the bag up and velcro it. Hope the velcro stays for a while.
Bike Setup: 2002 Giant Rainier, XT setup, Avid Discs
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Rudi
a Cross Country Rider
from Middletown, CT
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2002
Strengths: Price, CoolMax lining on back, RollTop bladder simple, easy to fill and clean, big bladder for the money.
Weaknesses: Bite valve somewhat drippy, not much cargo space.
Bottom Line:
A good hydration pack that is not without its faults. The size - 96 oz. - is wonderful for the price. The RollTop bladder is an exercise in simplicity, and it doesn't leak. The CoolMax lining on the backside of the pack keeps the thing from being a "back baker" in hot weather.
However, the bite valve is similar to those used on early Camelback products. It's not as drip-proof as the newer Camelback valves, which can be a problem if you stash extra clothes or similar stuff in the pack. Also, it's a small cargo pack - great for day trips, but not for ultra-endurance rides.
Still, for the price, it's a winner. And you can always retrofit a Camelback valve if you want to.
