MSR 4 and 6 L hydration reservoir

[robotfury]

Anybody use MSR DromLite or other related 4 and or 6L reservoirs in frame bags? Just wondering if they would even fit in a small or medium Revelate Ranger? I am trying to A) get away from wearing a hydration pack while B) minimize how many bottles are on the bike.  i am thinking it would be nice to just have a single reservoir that I can fill up to 3L but have the capacity for more in order to get through dry/desert stretches. I read in the TD Basics thread that JayP ran a 6L... but this is in an 07 thread.

Thanks,

M

[Area54]

Yep, I run a black drom (the heavier weight fabric than the red dromlite) in my rev framebag (similar design to the ranger) on a moonlander and fargo. Can easily fit the 4L with about 3L in it. I use the MSR hose kit, along with a quick release hose kit from camelbak and an insulated hose kit to get it to the bars, I stiffened the hose bite end with a spoke (small looped the ends for safety) so the hose stands up for hands free, 4" above the stem.

Could easily jam the 6L in the framebag if I removed the framebag separator, but then you have to draw the water up the hose from lower on the bike - more mouth suck power required...

[wahday]

I have a custom framebag from Bolder Bikepacking for my Large Salsa El Mariachi. I also use the black drom bag, 6l version. I haven’t measured, but I would say I can get about 4l in there and still get the bag zipped. The challenge is that the bags are only so thin when filled and that width is greater than the bag’s. So, I have the let water out until I can stuff it in there and get the zipper shut. If the bag were larger and laid flatter, I could get more as there is additional space in the frame bag, but such is not the case. If you are looking to max out the storage down there, you might be better with two smaller bladders rather than one larger one to fill the space better. That will keep the width within reason.

I also have the tube for the bladder but I don’t find it that easy for the very reason cited – it’s a lot of sucking! Plus, where I have bikepacked I am carrying ALL my water with me and so also always have a pack with a bladder. I find it easier to empty the drom into that for ease of drinking while riding than sucking that water all the way up from my bottom bracket.

[harryonaspot]

I can easily fit a 3 liter bladder on my small Fargo. It has a tiny front triangle. What bike do you have?

[NT]

I have a custom framebag from Bolder Bikepacking for my Giant Anthem. I can easily fit a full 4liter red dromlite in there (bulges out quite a bit) plus a bottle or two and other stuff. Real nice to not have all that on the back!
I run the hose through the zipper and have a magnet to hold the end of the hose on my bars

[robotfury]

harryonaspot - frame size is a big issue. I have a small Vassago Bandersnatch. I used a tangle with a 3L reservoir in my last race and the tangle was absolutely to capacity. Took up too much frame space for me to use a frame bottle.  Figure might as well use a full frame bag but even the small ragner isn't much bigger. I am figuring the MSR will take up the entire triangle.

[rick miller]

I split water load for the AZT300 between a 4 L red MSR in a DIY full triangle frame bag (with lots of room to spare) and a 3 L camelback.  No problems and great versatility.

[Smo]

I use a 6L drom (the original black one) in my framebag (custom bag for a pretty standard 19" 29er frame).  If I have a really long water carry and want to get it as full as possible what I'll do is undo the velcro on my top tube, put the drom in the bag, close the zipper, then re-do the velcro.  Gives you that extra little bit of space.  I think I can get 5 liters or so in there.

I also use the dromedary hose attachment so that I can run a tube out of it and drink directly.  If you're interested in that you should look at getting a hydromedary kit - it's a dromlite plus hydration tube for much cheaper than they would be separately.  They're just available in less useful sizes, unfortunately.