Bicycles Network Australia - Australian Cycling Forums

by **igstar** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 10:47 am

I am looking for a ~2L hydration pack that is small but still has a pocket for the spare tube and a couple of bars and a good back ventilation. Also, what should I look for in the mouth piece?

by **BNA** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 12:15 pm

by **alf** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 12:15 pm

Anaconda had these on special a few days ago. Not sure if they still have any in stock.
http://www.deuter.com/en_AU/backpack-details.php?category=345&artnr=32133&title=Race%20EXP%20Air

by **uglybob** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 12:26 pm

check out the 'Lobo' from CamelBak. pretty much a spot-on pack in my opinion for when you're on the MTB. half the people i see around the trails have one on their back.

by **Mulger bill** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 2:25 pm

You won't go wrong with either of the above.

by **Whorl** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 3:03 pm

I have the Camelbak Rogue, 2L compared to the 3L of the Lobo. Similar storage capacity, very comfortable in the heat. I fit a pump, spare tube, multitool, tyre repair kit and levers, with plenty of room left for phone/snacks etc.

by **Wayfarer** » Wed Jan 09, 2013 12:23 am

Another vote for the camelbak lobo. I bartered one into the deal when i bought my mtb, and it's probably my favorite piece of kit. I can store my phone, wallet, peys, two tubes, multitool, pump, levers, small rain jacket, muesli bars, lighter, sunnies, and up to 3L of water in one go. It's easy to take the resevoir out for cleaning and to take it apart too. I don't kn ow what you mean by the mouth piece, I'm just happy it's on my shoulder, not down where a drink bottle would be, getting covered in dust!

by **queequeg** » Wed Jan 09, 2013 8:51 am

I have the Camelback blowfish. 3L bladder, lots of pockets, plus the pack has a zip expander if you need to carry extra stuff.
I got it off Torpedo7 at a substantial discount during one of their many sales.

by **igstar** » Wed Jan 09, 2013 9:55 am

Thanks a lot for the suggestions, but I've ignored them all - got a Source Spinner PRO. Got it from the Mountain Designs in Melbourne on sale for half price. A bit of an impulse buy :mrgreen:

Probably not the best out there, but it was certainly value for money IMO.

by **Mugglechops** » Wed Jan 09, 2013 9:24 pm

I have been using a source bladder for about 6 years. Only thing I changed was to fit a Camelback right angle bite valve about a week ago.

by **igstar** » Wed Jan 09, 2013 11:08 pm

The one I got has the right angle bite valve already. Looking forward to trying it out this weekend.
I'm only just getting into MTB more seriously after spending many years on the roady and I've been getting sick and tired of picking up the bottles when they fall out of the cage after bigger jumps.

by **kom123** » Thu Jan 31, 2013 8:26 pm

I started years ago with a Camelback but now ride with an Osprey http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/segmentat ... draulics_1

Admittedly the technology like any product has probably changed since the Camelback I had but I've been really happy with the valve on the Osprey. To me it seems to deliver the water a lot easier but as I said I'm comparing an early model with a current model. Very happy too with the Osprey design of the backpacks. I use one that has the mesh on the back that provides airflow between your back and the pack itself. Seems to work well.