Camelbacks
5314
Member
1985 days
kylie posted 42 weeks ago.
They are legal on the bike if I remember correctly (I know they are in IM races - I am too lazy to look it up in the USAT rules right now). Running with one takes some getting used to for me, just for getting the fit of that particular pack ironed out. But once used to it it is ok. The half filled seems to just mean it sloshes more unless you are careful to keep water out of the bladder as you fill it.
That said, while I see the desire to use one on the bike in a race (more convenient than reaching for a bottle) I'm not sure I'd bother with one on the run in a tri.
Miles of Life --- Powered by MarkyV
306
Member
512 days
J.Michael posted 42 weeks ago.
I have seen them while volunteering. I'm not sure if it's legal at all USAT races. I think that the race director can make amendments. (I could be wrong)
When I go out for a 4+ hr ride I use a camel back for water and bike bottles for calories. (I've been thinking about using one of the aero bottles, but haven't yet made that leap)
If you're going to run with it less than full, I suggest burping the air out of it when filling. Or just fill it up so it's overflowing and put the cap on without losing much water. That way when you drink the bladder will collapse under vacuum pressure and it will not slosh.
If you're going to use it in an IM event, the only drawback I see is the time it would take to fill it. As opposed to just dumping a few cups/bottles into an aero bottle.
But if you flat a camelback will make changing it without losing water much easier.
“Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.”
— Winston Churchill
67
Member
310 days
SerialKiller posted 42 weeks ago.
i've ran with one on, it was great because i get bored on long runs (anything over 2miles) and it gave me something to fiddle with. as for back problems some people talk about, ain't ever bothered me, i say go for it, while it might take longer to fill up, it's also a lot bigger (depending on model) than a water bottle, if your filling on the run then blow air into it so the bladder doesn't stick together. oh and if you blow a lot of air into it it will pressurize the bladder so you don't have to suck on the tube, ie it because a short lived water hose.
5744
Member
2067 days
beads1985 posted 42 weeks ago.
I have run with a camelbak, and I have seen them in official IM and IM distance indy races.
If they fit properly you hardly notice it.
'Nothing to it, but to do it!'
Are camelbacks legal on the bike portion of a USAT event? I would not see why, and I seem to recall one or two pros doing so. Anyone ever try runniing with one? maybe only a half filled one?