Well

Is it legal to use a camelback in a regular triathlon? If so how come nobody uses them? I have a tri tomorrow and I am thinking about using a camelback for hydration, I won't have to break my aero position to drink.

assuming it is a USAT sanctioned race, I am not aware of any rule within the USAT rulebook which prohibits them. Nobody uses them because:

1. They're heavy and awkward
2. They are NOT aero
3. I would imagine you would lose a lot of time in transition putting them on and taking them off.

If you have a TT/Tri bike with aero bars, you need a Profile Design aero bar water bottle, it is shaped aerodynamically, and fits between the bar extensions, with a long straw. The pros use this setup so it is already on the bike in transition=no lost time, and they don't have to break aero position to drink. IMO, until you are routinely riding a sub hour 40K, then you don't need to worry about breaking from aero position OCCASIONALLY to drink a little, YMMV.:thumbsup:

OH, and good luck in the tri:thumbsup:

 

assuming it is a USAT sanctioned race, I am not aware of any rule within the USAT rulebook which prohibits them. Nobody uses them because:

1. They're heavy and awkward
2. They are NOT aero

Julich used one in a Tour de France time trial.

-ilan

 

Just completed my first tri - Big Kahuna Half Ironman - so not an expert, but think that next time I will use the hydration pack, particularly for longer distances. Also, according to Triathlete Mag (Oct 2007, page128), they found no distinct aero penalty from a hydration pack and wonder why they aren't used more. Just passing the info along...

 

Just completed my first tri - Big Kahuna Half Ironman - so not an expert, but think that next time I will use the hydration pack, particularly for longer distances. Also, according to Triathlete Mag (Oct 2007, page128), they found no distinct aero penalty from a hydration pack and wonder why they aren't used more. Just passing the info along...

Getting the thing on has to be a pain! I have a hard time strapping on a shoe when I get out of the water- putting on a snug back pack is asking for problems. YMMV.

 

I asked the same thing a while back and got similar replies. I decided to go my own way and use a Camelback. I can't tell you if i'm losing seconds or fractions of seconds but I am comfortable with one on and do like it.

 

I was at the Disney Triathlon last weekend (didn't do it, my wife did), and there were a couple of people who used one.

I've considered using one too. There are a couple of pretty aero Camelbaks.