Here is something new for 2011 from Osprey: the Viper 13 which is the men’s version of the Verve pack mudhunny reviewed not too long ago. Is the Viper every bit as good? Read on.

The Osprey Viper 13 is the largest of the Viper Series with 800 cubic inches of storage capacity, a decent amount for sure. It’s big enough for many day-long rides yet small enough to be considered a marathon pack.  With the proven 3L large mouth Hydraform bladder you get one of the best bladders on the market plus key compartments to help you organize your gear.

The large hose and decent bite valve on the included bladder both work great and the reservoir didn’t leak on me. The bladder, which I can’t rave about enough, works, fits, and cleans well. The molded form ensures that even if filled to the brim with water, you don’t feel like there’s a salami on your back.

The pack’s main compartment has a few internal sleeve pockets to keep stuff like bike pumps, multi-tools, power links, tire irons, and tubes organized and easy to get to. Up top you get the stash pocket which is a quick access zippered pocket. The stash pocket features a soft fabric lining which makes it perfect for sunglasses or electronics or whatever you don’t want scratched.  On the very outer part of the bag there’s a swatch of stretch fabric which doubles as the embossed logo and blinker attachment.

Other small but welcomed features include the stretchy front pocket on the shoulder strap which is just about the right size for energy snacks and most phones (it’s a snug fit for iPhones). The padded shoulder straps and back are comfortable even on longer rides where other packs tend to start digging into your back and clavicle area. The waist strap is a bit on the thin side with no padding, perhaps in an effort to save weight. For those who are looking for extra for comfort here, the thin strap could chafe a bit depending on your body shape. But to me, the waist strap wasn’t a noticeable issue. All the buckles are high quality and the helmet attachment and back light hoop are all welcome additions and multiply the versatility of the Viper 13.

Using the Viper 13 for an all day ride may be a bit of a stretch depending on what you need to carry. Although 3L should be plenty of water, depending on conditions you may need a bit more room in the pack (if so consider the Manta 20 or Raptor 18, both from Osprey). But for the rider who just needs room for snacks, a tool pouch, spare tube, and maybe a thin jacket, the Viper 13 should work well. I tend to use the Viper on my 4-hour rides and find it’s perfect for that. The light weight of the pack itself ( 1lb 7 oz empty) makes the Viper almost feel like it’s not there.

Available in three colors for about $94, you’re getting a decent pack for the money. Osprey also has their all mighty guarantee: “Osprey will repair for any reason, free of charge, any damage or defect in our product – whether it was purchased in 1974 or yesterday” (see Osprey for further details). So check out Osprey’s hydration packs when you have a chance!

I would like to thank the folks at Osprey for sending down the Viper 13 for a review.

Although we haven’t had a chance to get hand-on with the hydration packs from Hydrapak yet, we got to snap a few pics and learn a little more about the goods.

Unlike other hydration bladders we’ve seen, the Hydrapak bladders are completely open on one end, making them easy to fill and clean. We’re told the folding closure and clip system are completely leakproof, though further testing is definitely in order. The bladders almost have a medical look to them – sorta like IV fluid bags – with water volume hash marks and quick connect hoses. Fitting, we suppose, given that some of the first hydration bladder designs used actual IV fluid containers.

Hydrapak also markets the Gel Bot, a combination water bottle and energy gel dispenser. With the valve pushed down, a squeeze on the bottle releases energy gel; with the valve in the up position, water flows just like in a typical bottle. No need for two separate containers and it eliminates the hassle of tearing open gel packets on the go.

Hydrapak definitely has some cool hydration concepts and we’re stoked to share more about the line of packs and bottles for 2011. Stay tuned for the latest reviews!

Earlier this month we sent our man on the street, Chris B, to Outdoor Retailer in Salt Lake City to check out the latest camping, hiking, and trail running gear. Little did we know he’d get the scoop on new mountain bike stuff almost 2 months ahead of Interbike!

Camelbak

Last year at Interbike element22 and I were pretty impressed with the innovations from Camelbak (flow meter, freeride packs, etc.) and it looks like this year there’s more cool stuff on tap. For starters, some of the new hydration packs place the bladder closer to (or in?) the waist belt to shift weight from the back to the hips. This makes sense in theory, though we’ll definitely need a hands-on to see how this translates on the bike.

Hydration bag screw caps are also getting an update and Chris B says the new caps are like the gas cap on a car – one turn and they’re screwed on. I know I’ve been frustrated with hydration pack screw caps on more than one occasion, recently soaking my full pack (with camera inside) overnight before a ride. There’s gotta be a better way and it sounds like Camelbak may have found it.

Inno Racks

New bike racks from Inno. So new, in fact, the reps told Chris B they didn’t have any info on the racks pictured because “they’re not done with them yet.” Can’t tell much from the pic below so we’ll try to get more info at Interbike.

Osprey Hydration Packs

We’ve been singing the praises of the Osprey hydration packs that were introduced this year and for 2011 the company is diving even deeper into the bike scene. The Momentum (yellow pack in photo below) is geared toward commuters, though urban mountain bikers will love the hydration compatibility, LidLock helmet attachment, and U-lock pocket. This pack is so new there isn’t any info on Osprey’s website or in the pamphlets they were handing out.

Thule

Chris B says Thule didn’t really have much new stuff but these racks do look pretty sleek. Almost makes me want to drive around with a road bike on my car. Almost.

Stanley

Stanley has been making insulated water bottles and coolers for a long time but they’ve recently developed a water bottle that supposedly keeps carbonated drinks fizzy on your ride. Sure, a nice cold Coke would be refreshing mid-ride but it seems to us the real purpose of this bottle is to keep beer from going flat. We know, drinking and riding is illegal BUT there’s nothing that says you can’t enjoy a beer once you get to your destination. Not sure how this works on super bumpy stuff, we’ll need to test this one as well..

element22 and I are getting stoked for Interbike and are already making appointments to see the latest stuff. Let us know what you’d like to see covered and we’ll do our best at the show in September!

Not too long ago trek7k did a write up on the Osprey Raptor 6 and if you recall he raved over its sleek and comfortable design. Today I’m writing about another offering in the Osprey hydraulics line-up – the Manta 20. Unlike the Raptor, the Manta is a larger pack designed for day trips and epic rides.

The Osprey Manta 20 includes a Nalgene hydration bladder that holds three liters of liquid and is clearly one of the best designed bladders on the market. This is the first hydration pack I’ve found that I can fill to capacity without feeling like I just purchased a giant Salami and tried to stuff it into the middle of my pack. The bladder features a contoured, molded piece of plastic sandwiched between nylon fabric bonded to the bladder so it only expands sideways when full. You also get an over-sized hose with swivel bite valve and magnetic sternum strap to hold the hose outta the way when not in use.

The Manta 20 has a carrying capacity of 1200 cubic inches (20 liters) so you can fit a ton of stuff – and then some. The pack itself is true to Osprey quality with rugged construction, style, and a streamlined design (for those who don’t know, Osprey had produced high quality packs for backpacking and mountaineering for years). Starting from the bottom of the pack you get a compartment that contains the rain cover which comes in handy for soaking, sloppy rides. There is an external pouch that is perfect for holding tubes or fresh fruits and just above that there is a secondary zipped pouch with key holder and two mesh pockets for tools and energy bars. The mesh pouches are even deep enough to hold a pump shock pump and inflator.

Above the outer zipped pouch there is a smaller, zippered and lined pouch that is useful for holding eyewear or delicate items like a point and shoot camera or video equipment.  The main large storage compartment is accessible via the top of the pack and I found plenty of room for all my spare clothing and food for the day plus there was still room left for a small towel to dry myself. To top off all this storage capacity, you even get a good bit of side storage in the webbing along the waste belt. This area works well for nutrition bars, keys, wallet and “stuff.”

After using the Osprey on different types of rides, I now find myself grabbing this pack over the few others I have kicking around. For one thing, the understated look of the pack is a big selling feature for me (some of my other packs scream a little too loud for attention). The color shown is called Storm Grey (in between a green and a grey) and it’s perfect for those rides where I just want to look like I am racing.

On top of all the great storage, I also found that the Manta is really comfortable. Once the waist and shoulder straps are set properly, this pack doesn’t move around on the trail, even on the rockiest freeride trails I could find. The shoulder straps feature a very smart perforated and molded foam that really helps disperse the load of the pack. The added bonus is that you’re not building up excessive moisture underneath the straps which can lead to chafing during long rides. The “Airspeed” suspension on the Manta works to keep the pack off your back which also keeps you cooler thanks to an internal alloy frame that flexes the pack out of the way, leaving the perforated mesh to comfortably contour to your body.

I have to say Osprey really done good with the Manta 20 ($129 MSRP). This pack isn’t overly huge but instead is just the right size for those who want a pack that can haul enough gear for a day of riding. The Manta 20 is a comfortable, elegant pack that you can even use off the bike with comfort (Osprey actually says this one is designed for day hiking, full day trans-alpine mountain bike rides, and adventure racing). Great stuff – check out one for yourself!

I would like to thank the folks at Osprey for sending down the Manta 20 for a review.

Camelbak is a name that needs no introduction. It’s a name that’s synonymous with hydration and hydration packs for cycling both on and off road, adventure racing, hunting, and military applications. Where there are thirsty people, Camelbak always seems to be around with a solution. In 2010 Camelbak is at it again with fresh styles and new, bold colors to address the wants and needs of mountain bikers everywhere. This spring I’ll be rockin’ The Don ($120 MSRP) with Flow Meter (sold separately, $30 MSRP) and no I was not arrested (just in case you were wondering about the pic).

The Don is a full-featured hydration pack designed especially for AM and FR mountain bikers. This pack sports a lightweight but strong rip-stop material which will stand up to the abrasive nature of all-mountain biking. Another great feature The Don includes is the air director back panel which allows your body to breathe and release heat when you’re pumping the pedals. Along with this intelligent yet simple heat release solution, you also get a wider strapping system (38mm) which will both hold the pack firmly in place and distribute pressure evenly across your body, even when hucking gnarly trails. The wide straps are made of the same mesh material as the vented back panels to encourage moisture wicking.

The Don can carry 3L (100oz) of water and 17.5L (1070 cu in) of cargo split into one main compartment and a few extra elastic pockets to separate your nutrition bars and gels from your tools and any other items for your ride.  Splitting up the space into several compartments allows the Don to hold goggles and electronics without fear of scratching them up or bouncing them around too much. I personally love that feature as it allows me to carry camera equipment as well as food and tools without fear of cutting into my sandwich or trashing my camera.

What really makes this a FR / park pack is that it has a convenient means for holding your helmets (full face as well as your open face) by a clever strap and flap combination. There’s even a clear flap on the side of the pack to hold your park pass! The straps that hold the flap for your helmet also double as the straps to tighten up the pack when it’s not full.

Taking the Don on (go figure) the Don Valley trails ups here in Ontario was just like strapping on any familiar piece of equipment. You just put the pack on, adjust the waist strap, and go. Just about the only thing I needed to learn was how to use the flow meter that I added to the Don.

The flow meter is actually a simple device: it uses a small magnetic sensor built into an impeller that rotates as you draw in water through a standard Camelbak hose. As the impeller rotates, it registers in the flow meter’s circuit board and display. Now the hard part is setting up the flow meter and using its advanced functions – I felt like I needed a PhD or something.

The simplest and most effective mode I found on the Flow Meter is called Amount remaining /  Total volume mode. Using  AR/TV mode for most all my riding I found that it worked great, giving me all I needed to know about my hydration situation. Clearly the most useful thing about the Flow Meter is it gives you an idea about how much water is left in your pack, something that was previously difficult if not impossible to do without removing the bladder from your pack. In terms of the advanced functions, I admit I fumbled around with the buttons a bit but never really found anything nearly as useful as the AR/TV mode.

Using the Don with the Flow Meter was great, though admittedly the color combo I received (Methyl Blue / Racing Red) was a bit loud for my personal tastes (there are 3 other color combos to choose from). Other than that, the Don is a comfortable and very functional hydration pack. On slope-side rides of 3 hours or more, this was more than adequate for my needs and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this pack to anyone.

I’ve been using Nuun Active Hydration tablets ($19.50 for a 3 pack) for a while and just wanted to give a quick heads up on this product. Unlike other tablets on the market, these babies can be used in your hydration pack without fear of growing a funky science experiment. The Nuun tablets are also crazy easy to use, no measurements required – just pop in one tablet for every 500ml of water in your hydration pack. For instance, I have a 3L pack so I pop 6 tablets in and go.

Nuun tablets add a little flavor to your water but more importantly they deliver a combination of fundamental minerals and electrolytes that promote hydration during exercise. The tablets also feature a catalyst to speed up the absorption of water while you’re active. The best part? No added carbohydrates or sugars means no harsh crash later.

Now everyone is different so I won’t offer any performance claims however I can tell you that I didn’t feel any worse off using Nuun. I actually felt pretty good on rides when I used Nuun and I enjoyed all the flavors I tried including lemon+lime, tri-berry and banananuun. I was also happy that cleaning my hydration pack was not an issue; a simple rinse with water (and occasionally some dish soap) left the pack without a sticky mess afterward.

If you’re interested in more details, check out the Nuun website.

Cheers folks and happy trails.