Camelbak Podium Water Bottle

Price Paid:  $0.00 at USPhome.com

Favorite Ride:
West Kendall to Key Biscayne

Bike Setup:
2007 Specialized Tarmac Expert with Zertz inserts, full Dura Ace with Ritchey WCS Protocol rims, Continental Ultra Race tires.

Summary:
Great bottle. Does not drip as advertised. Well worth the extra $$$. I thought the reflectice silver bottle would stay cooler longer but it doesn't in the hot Miami sun. I got them at USPhome.com they are on sale right now for $6.74 and sell for locally 11-13 dollars. Got 2 for 20.00 and some change shipped to Miami. Going to buy 2 more

Strengths:
Cytomax taste like Cytomax not plastic. No drip spout works great. Also it is easier to load ice cubes as the Specialized have a skinny middle section which jams up the ice cubes going in. Soak in light bleach solution for 10 min to clean bottle and spout apparatus every couple of weeks to sanitize.

Weaknesses:
None except they don't make the insulated version in the 24 oz size. Weird

Similar Products Used:
Specialized wide mouth bottles.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
To the lake

Bike Setup:
Carbon on two wheels.

Summary:
This bottle is great! I believe a great value because of the features and dependability. You can control the flow and either squeeze or suck the fluids out. Tip it upside down or give it a good shake to mix your drink before you drink... zip, nada, not a single drop... until you want it. Both bottle and caps have been in the dishwasher and still working great.

Strengths:
No drips = cleaner bike and jersey
Flow control
Dishwasher safe
No plastic taste- never
No need to pull open the spout, just squeeze
Good fit in hand
Durable

Weaknesses:
I'm not seeing any. Some comment on the cost. But, IMHO, the value is in not having all the hassles that come with all those other water bottles. Sometimes I think I'd like to see a taller model that holds more.

Similar Products Used:
All those bottles that have been bought or received from the water bottle elves.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Great bottle, dirt magnet valve

Strengths:
doesn't leak...easy water flow, rugged

Weaknesses:
The valve body is made of silicone rubber and tends to pick up road dirt and gunk. The valve stopper is recessed within the valve body, and thus dirt builds up on the INSIDE of the valve when the bottle sits in its normal valve-forward position on the down tube. A valve cap would be a good thing to have. Otherwise, wash the bottle often.

Price Paid:  $9.00 at bike shop

Favorite Ride:
Any time on the bike

Bike Setup:
giant ocrc 1 carbon triple mavic rims

Summary:
This is the best bottle ever made. Throw out your old bottles and get this bottle

Strengths:
Doesn't leak EVER. No bad taste. It is worth every penny you spend.

Weaknesses:
none. Just had to get use to not having to open and close the valve

Similar Products Used:
Polar Specialized Gary Fisher

Price Paid:  $9.00 at Local bike shop

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere on a bke

Summary:
To start with, the Podium is made of a slighty harder (and BPA free) plastic than the average water bottle. This has a couple of advantages. First, the material does not have that plastic-y taste that other bottles have. Camelbak calls this their TrueTaste plastic. The harder plastic also makes the bottle a little more sturdy, contributing to the bottle’s inability to leak. Since the bottle is a little less pliable, the cap goes on and seals very nicely.The plastic also has an anti-bacterial coating called Hydro Guard that is said to help prevent the formation of nasty gunk if your bottle sits for a few days.

The cap contributes to the ease of use and the leak proof-ness. It has a lock that can be used to completely block water from getting to the valve. The bite valve itself is different than your average “gimme” water bottle. You don’t have to pull it open with your teeth, instead, you just squeeze the sides of the bottle and the valve at the top opens to emit a quick squirt of water. Let go and it seals itself tight - no drips on your bike or your clothing. The valve opening seems to be a little larger than other bottles so you get a bit larger squirt of water.

In our family, water bottles serve far more duties than just bike rides. They get filled up and thrown in backpacks to take to soccer games, hiking, the mall or wherever. Knowing that you can put a bottle somewhere and not have to worry about it leaking is very nice.

The Podium bottle comes in 21 and 24 oz sizes and a variety of colors.

View my full review at Bike World News

Strengths:
* No plastic-y taste
* Absolutely no leaks
* Bite valve is very easy to use

Weaknesses:
* None really. They are a bit pricy, but well worth it.

Similar Products Used:
Your typical generic water bottle