I'm going to have a go at a MYOG frame bag which will mean I'll need to take my bottle cages off

its been years since I used an old "std" camelbak bladder, are there any decent ones people recommend or are they all much of a muchness. I've heard of ones you can put in the dishwasher?

cheers

Used Osprey for years and like them although Source are particularly good if you're sensitive to taste.

Never clean mine, quick rinse and they're suited in the freezer

Used camelbaks for ages, never had any problems, now they have the bigger hole... I dry them with the golf practise balls and keep in the freezer. My only experience with platypus is leaky ones! That was a few years back though...

Is it for in the framebag? Or in a rucsac?

I really like my MSR Dromedary in my frame bag. It comes with a multi use opening but an optional hose.
Not cheap but stronger than the rest.

How about a partial frame bag?
Wish that is what I had gone for.
Or, how about relocating your bottle cage with a monkii clip?
Sure as eggs is eggs, if you strap a bag to your back you will carry more stuff and get a sweaty back to boot.
Just sayin.

Bladder = 300g - 400g.
Standard water bottle 45 g
Collapsible bottle < 40g and will fit in your back pocket.

Also if you're in the UK you're never that far from drinkable water...

to be honest i'm having a re-think and going for bladder within frame-bag, reckon it'll cater for the best of both worlds

still going to buy a bladder but with my Sawyer filter (it's great by the way) and a couple of small "roll-up" bottles I should be ok

Have a look at Brother Smith's modified camelbak bottle as mentioned in the bargains thread.

Brother Smith's modified camelbak bottle

A good idea I think.



After a bit of faffing over varying water capacity needs for Israel (desert in the southern half) I ended up with this set-up. Didn't want to use a camelback this trip, also didn't want excess space taken up when I carry the usual 2l or so. A Platypus in the frame bag and a 2l bladder (a fairly rigid Source model) with a shortened but accessible hose in the seat pack adds 3l to the 1.75l of bottle capacity. Good place for it - low and over the rear axle. Disadvantage overall is only 1l or so is easy-access but riding as a small group there's always time to re-fill as others faff : )
The bladder can also go under the bar-roll straps if water access is needed without stopping but keeping 2kg off the bar is a good thing.