Posts: 161
3/30/08 12:29 P

You may find that you need several, shop around and buy them on sale.

1. I have a CamelBak Rocket that I use on general rides 1.5hrs or longer. I removed the plastic backbone and like it much better that way as it sits better on my back. The extra chest strap is a must.

2. I use a smaller 40oz Rogue? for racing due to it's minimal approach.

3. I have a Performance Bike version of the Mule that works great for the longer trips or outings with the family where I need to carry lots of gear. I also use it on Enduro motorcycle rides and it works great.

Posts: 629
3/29/08 10:55 P

Good luck with your purchase. I like not using any at all on shorter rides. But it still great to have when I know that will be riding longer or need more stuff. Usually one bottle will last me an hour and a half or maybe two if I ration it right.

Posts: 293
3/29/08 1:14 P

I use the Camelback MULE also I like that it will carry up to 100oz of H2O but anything else you would like to carry, CLIF bars, trail mix or a small tool kit with tube. I had a Nashbar hydropack before. It did not keep the H2O as cold for as long as the Camelback. Keep on ridin

current weight: 188.6

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Posts: 550
3/27/08 4:03 P

funny!
its nice to have the room to carry stuff, i also dont like to stuff things in my jersey pockets for the same reasons!

current weight: 142.0

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132

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3/27/08 2:59 P

Good point MAGELLAN1
I use my camelback on longer rides: 2 hours or more, even if I am close to food/water/etc. I need the room to carry clothes, maybe 2 inner tubes (my DH & I did have a ride where we used all 3 inner tubes and needed a 4th one!) The weather can vary a lot her in So Cal especially if the ride is over 2 hours. It’s not usual for me to start a ride with arm warmers, legwarmers, full finger gloves, helmet liner and jacket and end the ride with just a jersey and shorts! I need the room in my mule to carry all those clothes ‘cause I am not into stuffing them in to my jersey pockets. My rear is big enough already!!!!! My seat bag will not hold all that stuff!

current weight: 193.4

220 203.75 187.5 171.25

155

Posts: 5
3/26/08 4:54 P

Thanks again for the advice. I think I am going to order the mule for myself and have my wife try it out. If it is comfortable, I'll order another, otherwise I will order one of the woman's fit packs.

Patrick

Posts: 550
3/25/08 7:55 P

i would agrees with kjeanne, i am 5'2 and have both a larger and smaller pack. i use my mule if i am going out mtb and there are not many options to refill, and i need to carry tools, food ect.

my smaller pack is more comfortable to wear (not so long on my back) and i use that to ride my local trail that is loops and its easy to get out of the woods to refill if needed, but more or less a shorter say 1.5 to 2 hour ride.

so i would say take into consideration what type of riding you plan to do and how much stuff you are going to carry.

current weight: 142.0

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132

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3/25/08 12:09 P

Patrick
It might depend on your wife’s size. I am 5’7”, 175 pounds so a mule is great for me. But I am taller than the average female. If your wife is petit, she might prefer a smaller pack.

current weight: 193.4

220 203.75 187.5 171.25

155

Posts: 5
3/25/08 11:58 A

Thanks for all the thoughts.

So it seems that the woman specific packs are possibly just hype and I could get the mule for both of us. Any thoughts on that?

Patrick

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Posts: 94
3/25/08 11:31 A

My wife and I are mtn bikers, so I tend to carry a lot of emergency type stuff. I have the Hawg and my wife has the Mule. They are both great packs. The Mule seems to be just the right size(although now and then I seem to carry her spillover). The hawg is bigger than needed for biking, but has been great for dayhikes, x-country skiing etc. and has a more comfortable harness system (although heavier).

The camelbacks seem to hold up well. I've had cheapos that fell apart fast.

I second the locking valve and the wide fill spout. Makes it easier to put ice in and to clean and dry. Also, it is easier to fill while in the pack and not spill everywhere. Without the lock, it is easy to accidentally pinch the valve in your car and have it leak all over.

Tip: I try to keep my bladder full and in the fridge between rides. Seems to keep the water fresher. Also: I have heard that you can get them nice and clean with one of those denture cleaning tablets.

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3/23/08 9:37 A

I also have the camelback mule and love it. My Mule is 6 year sold and still going strong. It has room for everything I need for long ride. I have replaced the reservoir once in those 6 years. One thing I have discovered is that, on a hot day if you fill your reservoir with ice and water, it will help keep you core cooler. You can feel the coolness on your back. That came in handy when I road on days that hit triple digits!

You can also put hot water in the reservoir on cold days and it warms your core.

current weight: 193.4

220 203.75 187.5 171.25

155

Posts: 629
3/21/08 11:39 P

uh.....ditto. :P Yeah the Mule is a great pack. My wife got it for me and I was a little skeptical at first. However, when I realized that I could fit most of my extras in the pack I started to like it. It really can hold an a bit. I keep an extra tire, two tubes, 3 CO2, CO2 gun and few other things. I am sure you will be happy with that pack.

Posts: 550
3/21/08 9:23 P

i also have a mule, if i go for a long mtb bike ride it is great to have that much water. i usually refill vs switching out bladders. i try and keep mine clean, i bought a cleaner-a long wire thing with a pipe cleaner type thing at the end to clean out the tubing. i would recommend getting a mouth piece with a valve that you can shut off. this will save you some problems some day - there is nothing worse than unloading gear and finding your camelpak has leaked and its all wet....

another thing to consider- the opening of the bladder. i like a wide opening in case i want to add ice or some type of supplement to my water.

if you are doing epic rides out in the wilderness and want more space, the hoag camelpak opens up to provide more storage than the mule.

current weight: 142.0

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3/21/08 8:58 P

I have an older MULE and I love it. The 100 oz. bladder is awesome. If you use it on a shorter ride/hike/other adventure you don't have to fill it all the way, but if you do something epic, it's great to have that much water with you. The storage space is almost always adequate, but there will be times when you wish you had a little more. I'm not totally familiar with the current MULE model, but my impression is that it's still pretty similar. I found it's worth scanning Nashbar, Performance, etc. to see if they are offering earlier years' models on sale.

Good luck and enjoy!

Posts: 5
3/21/08 8:47 P

Thanks for the tips Chad and Angel. I hadn't even considered the worn out/spare bladder issue.

Posts: 466
3/21/08 5:55 P

I have a Northface Fuse (discontinued) and a Jansport bladder I found for my husband. His is nice and roomy while mine is a little sleeker but will allow me to store my essentials. I think any sort of water backpack that you get will suit your needs as long as it's big enough.

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Posts: 13
3/21/08 5:49 P

Hey Patrick,
I don't know these models specifically however the brand is obviously good. My main suggestions for any hydration pack would be that it have the extra space to carry what ever supplies you might want (flat repair, camera, cell phone, snacks, etc.) and that it has a name branded bladder. The reason for the name branded bladder is that you are likely going to have issues with this before the pack itself goes bad. If you get a pack that has a camelback, nalgene, or platypus bladder you'll be able to go to REI or most major bike shops and get a replacement bladder, hose, or mouthpiece that will fit the bag and whatever attachment method is used. Also you can purchase additional bladders in case you ride a loop course and want to just change out rather than refilling.

Chad

Posts: 5
3/21/08 3:39 P

I want to purchase a hydration pack for both my wife and I and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations. I was looking at the Camelbak MULE for myself and the LUXE for my wife. Does anyone have experience with these models or have any other recommendations?

Thanks,
Patrick