I have several hydration packs that I use for running and hiking, but I didn't have a specific pack made for bicycling. After researching the pro and cons on the most well known packs I chose this one. I was originally leaning towards a USWE product, but decided on this pack because of the pockets. I use this when I ride in areas or distances where I may have to be fully self supported. The pockets allow for storage of small tools, telephone and food/gels. The straps are comfortable and move with my body. The straps make adjustment easy as the load changes in the pack
The pack stays in place, breaths well and allows me to easily access my jersey pockets. I certainly made the right choice!
I've bought various water bottles--plain and tepidly insulated--the latter lasting about twice as long as the plain one. Where I live we have microclimates, when I leave the house it can be 63' and eight miles inland 85'. This mean my ice filled insulated bottle water starting is fully melted at the 1/2 way point and will become rather yucky on the way back (and I still have another 500 feet of elevation to climb coming back. The Camelbak Podium is an excellent way to quench ones thirst on a hot day on my return leg, as it maintains the ice cold temps for two hours easily when kept full and makes the return so much more pleasant. It's a little heavier and rattles in my plastic water bottle cage, but a thin strip of Velcro dampens out the sound.
Many polymer bottles tend to get stiff as the temperature drops making for a harder squeeze made even more of a challenge with heavily gloved hands. Not these. This bottle remains flexible even in the very cold (0deg F).
I chose the white ones which seem to have picked up and retained some color from drink mixes I use. Better than the other way around, I would think.
We should probably use drink mixes without the dyes. I don't drink it for how it looks; who does?
I have used insulated bottles from Polar and Camelbak. Here are the benefits of Bivo over these bottles: 1) keep hot drinks hot and cold cold. After several hours my hot chocolate is still warm on cold rides and there is still ice in my bottle on the hot days. 2) they are much easier to fully disassemble and clean. Even though I wash my caps weekly in the dishwasher and fully disassemble them every few weeks. I still found mold in my Camelbak/Polar caps. Not with Bivo. 3) I drink so much more with this bottle. I have nearly choked at times with the volume of liquid that comes from this bottle. No more hand cramps from trying to squeeze a cold stiff bottle. Just pull the cap open and pour.
I have taken these on road and gravel rides and they stay put in my cages as well if not better than the insulated plastic bottles. The bottle cap/cover accessory is also great for keeping out the muck on wet or dusty rides.
