I noticed in the last TdF that one of the teams, I think Garmin all had camelbaks under their jersies in a time trial stage and it seems to make sense. You would never have to grab for a bottle, it would be fairly aero, more so than a bottle on the bike at least, and it could help keep you cool. What brought this up is steapandcheap just had one called, Nathan Stealth 1.5 Hydration Pack. It looked almost designed for triathletes.
My question is, why don’t more triathletes use them on the bike leg? I have never used one so maybe there is something I am missing like they are super uncomfortable…
I could be mistaken, but I believe some of the pro teams are using the “camelback” as a means to keep core temp down with ice water versus having it for hydration…
I always use a camelback. I am quite clueless as to what others are using and one day I realized that no one that I saw biking, triathlete or not, was using a camelback. Must have been an article in a magazine or something. Maybe it has to do with aerodynamics.
Well…it would definitely have to go under the jersey for the best aerodynamics. But that would also mean a longer T1 and probably also T2. If you’re wet in T1 putting that jersey on could be tricky (at least it was for me the one time I tried it). You might have to put things in your jersey pockets after putting it on too. That’s more time.
The advantages of the camelbak would be better…uh…drinking aerodynamics, the ability to maybe carry more fluid, maybe having the camelbak teat right next to your face will make you drink more frequently, and the body temperature thing. Weigh whatever time you might gain from that against the time lost in transition.
It seems like it would be useful in a hot ironman race. For shorter distances…nah.
I think that’s a great question. I’ve thought about it myself. With aero isssues of hanging bottles all over your bike, why not put the water against your body. I’m not sure about the aero affects, but what about a water reservoir that attaches to your chest and stays out of the wind. It might create some turbulence but worthy of testing. It would need to be refillable since the 50oz to 100oz it would carry wouldn’t be enough for most people on a 112 bike. Maybe perfect for shorter distances. It looks like Camelbak is already thinking of aero cyclists, though…
Speaking in terms of triathlons. For shorter races (i.e., sprints/oly) whatever advantage that you may gain from it is lost when you
take it off in T2 so that you don’t have to run with it or
try to refill it in T2 for the run
granted, you can run with it but then that’s extra weight.
For longer distances (i.e., HIM or IM), for most people it means 5-7 hours on the bike. This means that you would have to stop a couple of times to refill it. The device doesn’t look like the refill process (i.e., getting it off your back and replacing fluids) is a quick thing. In the later portions of the the bike leg, you don’t want to stop any waste time or energy playing around with it trying to refill.
It may be good for shorter workout rides but for HIM and IM long bike rides, it means having to stop a couple of times to refill and deal with taking it off and putting it back on. When you are tired, you don’t want to mess with it.
I wouldn’t use it for the reasons you outline. But maybe with some refinement (ability to refill while riding and quick removal during T2) it’s a step in the right direction. I still wonder if it would be better to attach water to your chest area out of the wind. Would it be more aero? Would the added weight create back aches during longer bike rides?
I’ve used a camelback for an adventure race, the cold or ice water feels good at first but eventually your body heat absorbs into the water and you’re drinking warm fluids. As well your ability to cool from evaporation is lessened, at least that was my experience.
I’m with mck414 on this. To his accurate synopsis I will add that the darn things are fine for adventure races and less vigorous off road cycling, but even the best of them tend to slosh or shift as they empty. Some companies such as BlackHawk Tactical, have reservoirs with a “slosh proof” reservoir that helps, but doesn’t fix the issue.
Even the best of the bite valves are tough to drink out of (for me at least) when you are going hard. You simply lose about three breaths for a good mouthfull.
Actually I think the proper application of a Camelbak would be long course, and as the place to hold your feed. Lots of people want or need specific amounts of salts, protein, etc. You ensure that you will have that during the race. An Aerodrink on the bars to repeatedly refill with water, and that would be a pretty fast and aero setup. They can get hot, but there are lots of versions with shaped "cooling" vents to make gaps for air to get to your back.
I used one in my first ever half ironman. It was great actually. Very easy to use and having the bite valve right there kept me drinking a lot and frequently which really helped me. The main reasons I stopped using it were that
My helmet (a regular one at the time) was bumping it when I tried to get aero. Not enough to prevent me from getting aero but enough to annoy me. With an aero helmet I don’t think I could have used it. Maybe there are other versions of camelback that sit lower on your back. It was harder to get stuff out of my back shirt pockets
I did like the bite valve thing so much though that I made sure to get a drink system with one. I use Speedfil for that reason. Just having that bite valve right there in front of my eyes, so easy to drink is great for someone like me. I just don’t drink enough otherwise.
The one linked above is built into a jersey, probably as aero as it gets. That said, I think I remember some testing that basically ended up with the answer that the "aero-ness" depends on the shape of the rider's back. I don't remember what was good or not, but when you think of someone like Lance, who already rides with a hump there... I think Boness has a pretty flat back, and the CB probably added more frontal for him.
for short distances like olympic/sprint there is just no need. 0 to 1 bottles is fine.
for long distance, it kind of sucks having more weight on your back pressing onto your shoulders arms and elbows. but it might work well for some.
I noticed in the last TdF that one of the teams, I think Garmin all had camelbaks under their jersies in a time trial stage and it seems to make sense. You would never have to grab for a bottle, it would be fairly aero, more so than a bottle on the bike at least, and it could help keep you cool. What brought this up is steapandcheap just had one called, Nathan Stealth 1.5 Hydration Pack. It looked almost designed for triathletes.
My question is, why don’t more triathletes use them on the bike leg? I have never used one so maybe there is something I am missing like they are super uncomfortable…
…I did like the bite valve thing so much though that I made sure to get a drink system with one. I use Speedfil for that reason. Just having that bite valve right there in front of my eyes, so easy to drink is great for someone like me. I just don’t drink enough otherwise.
How is a camelbak any better than a basic PD aerodrink bottle w/ the straw in your face, which is also super easy to refill on the fly and likely as/more aero too (depending on your aerobar/headtube config and how much straw is sticking out)? The only time I ever use a camelback (or variant) on a bike is when I’m on a long ride way out in BFE (especially off-road) where I need to carry more water than usual and don’t have enough re-fill options available.
This was the one he tested, and I believe this is from 2003. I couldn’t find a good side shot. He tested it in the San Diego Wind Tunnel, along with other bottle/hydration options. His between the bars bottle holder was the most aero set up (other than none at all). I know they make newer camelback designs that are probably more aero than this one. He changed to his custom aero front bottle about the time he started using Infinit. He also didn’t like how warm the liquids got before the end of the bike.
