My "Cool Story Bro" addition to the water bottle debate:
I have not ridden a mtb with a water bottle for at least 15 years and I never really understood the people claiming they can't ride with a backpack/Camelbak. A backpack never bothered me and I also like the protection it provides in a crash. I also find it important to carry all my stuff when I ride and with the $$$ we throw away to get light bikes, I'm not interested to strap water, tubes, tools and safety accessories on my bike.
The problem is that I have a bad back and I generally get lumbar sprains 2-3 times per year. When I got back on the bike after my last episode, it occured to me that I was feeling much better at the end of the day with an empty pack that was ~2.0kg lighter. Duh! Thankfully, my new bike has place for a water bottle so I tried it this weekend. I can't believe the difference it made. I'm keeping the backpack for the tools and stuff...but I think I'm now in the No Water Bottle Mount = No Sale crew.
I have not ridden a mtb with a water bottle for at least 15 years and I never really understood the people claiming they can't ride with a backpack/Camelbak. A backpack never bothered me and I also like the protection it provides in a crash. I also find it important to carry all my stuff when I ride and with the $$$ we throw away to get light bikes, I'm not interested to strap water, tubes, tools and safety accessories on my bike.
The problem is that I have a bad back and I generally get lumbar sprains 2-3 times per year. When I got back on the bike after my last episode, it occured to me that I was feeling much better at the end of the day with an empty pack that was ~2.0kg lighter. Duh! Thankfully, my new bike has place for a water bottle so I tried it this weekend. I can't believe the difference it made. I'm keeping the backpack for the tools and stuff...but I think I'm now in the No Water Bottle Mount = No Sale crew.