- Feb 9, 2000
- 2,450
- 2
For the Amarillo spodefest I needed a hydration system, so I stopped in at the local bicycle shop and enquired about their hydration systems. They had some fancy ones running up to $50 or so which included pockets and zips for carrying stuff.
I settled on the cheapest system, and picked up a new platypus hydration system with bag for $22.50. It is just the bag and straps with the 70 oz juice bag, nothing fancy, just functional. Included in the price were the carry bag, and bladder. A replacement bladder sells for under $10. Online you can get a better deal at http://www.campmor.com/
The carry bag does not strap to the chest protector, I just put it on and over like I would normally, just loosened the straps to max, and clipped the bite tube to the front of my chest protector.
Filling it up was easy, just remove the tube filler, fill with Gatorade, put filler tube back on, turn upside down and slip the carry pack over the filled bladder. After gearing up, I just slipped the platypus bag over my chest protector, clipped the bite tube in place and was off. In the two days of riding, I never felt uncomfortable with the pack over my chest protector, in fact I did not even feel it there. Having a cool sip of grape flavored Gatorade when needed was just the ticket for a great days riding. How reliable is the system ?, so far it is too early to tell, I did get a second system for my brother, and on one of his rides he took a big tumble, and landed on his platypus without any damage so far as we can tell. The bladder appears to be made of a fairly durable material, and does not give the juice a plastic taste.
All in all, this is a good affordable system, it does the job well, there were no leaks, and the bite tube worked perfectly. I should have bought one of these sooner. The Platypus definitely offers a viable alternative to the more expensive namebrand systems out there.
What is also great about this system is that it can be used for any outdoor activity, hiking, biking, horse riding etc. When empty, it is light, does not take up space, and the bladder is easy to clean and empty.
Highly recommended.
Alan
BunduBasher
BTW, at the fest, I saw some of the spodes with similar Platypus systems as well. Also my brother on his first ride decided that it was cool, he had just had breakfast, and did not need his new pack. Needless to say, he was glugging down my juice after a hard hours riding. I don't think he will leave home without his hydration system again !
I settled on the cheapest system, and picked up a new platypus hydration system with bag for $22.50. It is just the bag and straps with the 70 oz juice bag, nothing fancy, just functional. Included in the price were the carry bag, and bladder. A replacement bladder sells for under $10. Online you can get a better deal at http://www.campmor.com/
The carry bag does not strap to the chest protector, I just put it on and over like I would normally, just loosened the straps to max, and clipped the bite tube to the front of my chest protector.
Filling it up was easy, just remove the tube filler, fill with Gatorade, put filler tube back on, turn upside down and slip the carry pack over the filled bladder. After gearing up, I just slipped the platypus bag over my chest protector, clipped the bite tube in place and was off. In the two days of riding, I never felt uncomfortable with the pack over my chest protector, in fact I did not even feel it there. Having a cool sip of grape flavored Gatorade when needed was just the ticket for a great days riding. How reliable is the system ?, so far it is too early to tell, I did get a second system for my brother, and on one of his rides he took a big tumble, and landed on his platypus without any damage so far as we can tell. The bladder appears to be made of a fairly durable material, and does not give the juice a plastic taste.
All in all, this is a good affordable system, it does the job well, there were no leaks, and the bite tube worked perfectly. I should have bought one of these sooner. The Platypus definitely offers a viable alternative to the more expensive namebrand systems out there.
What is also great about this system is that it can be used for any outdoor activity, hiking, biking, horse riding etc. When empty, it is light, does not take up space, and the bladder is easy to clean and empty.
Highly recommended.
Alan
BunduBasher
BTW, at the fest, I saw some of the spodes with similar Platypus systems as well. Also my brother on his first ride decided that it was cool, he had just had breakfast, and did not need his new pack. Needless to say, he was glugging down my juice after a hard hours riding. I don't think he will leave home without his hydration system again !
