Bike World News

We had a chance to meet with Camelbak on the last day of Interbike and got to see many of the new products that are coming in 2010. While hydration packs are not all that common on road bike riders, I feel that they have several products that roadies may find beneficial.

The first is the VeloBak™, the industry’s first cycling jersey with built-in hydration. If you’re like me, you’re probably always running out of water in your water bottles, but you don’t want to wear a traditional hydration pack or have to slow down to look for somewhere to fill your bottles.

Available in both men’s and women’s sizes, VeloBak features a dual zip front and three jersey pockets. It has all the performance features of standard jerseys, but is actually an integrated hydration system with a compression pocket that comfortably holds a 72-ounce reservoir.

Made of a breathable and lightweight material, the VeloBak is ideally suited for road or mountain bike rides lasting two or more hours. VeloBak is an addition to CamelBak’s wearable hydration line, which includes RaceBak™, the industry’s first base-layer apparel with built-in hydration capabilities. RaceBak was custom-designed for cyclists and other endurance sports athletes.

“VeloBak provides cyclists all the comfort and functionality they’re accustomed to in a jersey with the added benefit of built-in hydration,” said Jon Austen, Director of Product Management for CamelBak. “The compression fabric holds water securely in place and makes it possible to stay hydrated on extended rides without having to reach to or refill your bottle.”

The Velobak holds 72 oz. of water for over 2 hours of hydration. Since it is made like a regular bicycle jersey, it has three back pockets for holding your essentials. It is made of Quickwick™, a lightweight and breathable fabric that that delivers maximum moisture management and dries quickly for cool and comfortable performance and also includes QuickPlush, a chafe-free compression fabric that self-adjusts while conforming to the body like a second skin. It will be available after October 15, 2009 in two colors for both men and women and will retail for $130.

The next product I’d like to feature is the CamelBak® Flow Meter™. It answers the most frequently asked question about hands-free hydration: “How much water do I have left?”

The Flow Meter is an intelligent personal hydration accessory that can be customized based on individual needs and activity level. It eliminates the risk of running out of water and the hassle of taking the pack off to see how much is left.

It also provides peace of mind by allowing the user to know how much water has been consumed as well as ensuring personal hydration goals are met. You can actually set parameters for your weight and it will tell you if you are drinking too little or too much water. It also tells the user how much remains in the reservoir and approximate time until empty.

“This demonstrates our continued commitment of listening to our customers and acting on their feedback,” said Jon Austen, Director of Product Management for CamelBak. “The Flow Meter provides intelligent hydration information for the user, an ideal technical accessory for outdoor enthusiasts and performance athletes.”

It is easy to integrate with any CamelBak reservoir and will be available at retail locations nationwide in October for $30 (MSRP).

Finally, CamelBak® introduces the next-generation, ultimate insulated bike bottle – the BPA-free Podium® Ice – keeping water cold four times longer than standard bike bottles. Featuring extreme insulation, a high water volume, and taste-free, BPA-free TruTaste polypropylene all in a lightweight design, Podium Ice helps maximize performance and keeps riders focused while delivering optimal hydration.

The Podium Ice is constructed using Zero-Loft™ aerogel, a highly effective insulator – inch for inch, the highest thermal resistance of any insulating material. Featuring CamelBak’s innovative, self-sealing Jet Valve™, the easy-to-squeeze Podium Ice delivers the perfect amount of water without spills or leaks. The high-flow Jet Valve also allows riders to easily drink and stash the bottle without having to worry about opening and closing the valve. The superior thermal endurance of Podium Ice also works great with warm beverages during cool weather rides.

Product Details:

• Bottle Weight: 120g
• Water Volume: 620 ml (21 oz)
• Bottle Material: TruTaste™ Polypropylene
• Easy-to-clean HydroGuard™ technology
• Features CamelBak’s always open, always shut JetValve™
• Available in three colors: frost/blue, frost/black and frost/white
• SRP: $20.00
• Retail Availability: March 2010

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