Water bladder in frame bag-- preventing bulging?

[Couloirman]

I want to be able to run a 4L water bladder in my frame bag but it always bulges out and rubs my legs while pedaling. Anyone else have this problem? Did you do anything about it or just deal with it?

[murf]

The newer camels bladders have baffles inside that prevent it from bulging out but I think they only come as large as 3l.if you cut all the hard plastic off around the cap you maybe could get two of the 2l in your frame bag?

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[TheDudeAbides]

Could try a hardware store and make your own side panels out of lexan or something.  You could then paint them (from the inside to prevent scratches from showing) or sticker them up.  Could just keep the lexan panels on with zip ties, safety wire, or a clever rope system, which would allow you to store extra 550 paracord on your rig.

[roadpacker]

It might be enough to put some webbing around the middle. If you made your own frame bag, you may have to put a hem in it-- fold over maybe 1/4" of fabric along one dimension (maybe the bottom part of the triangle) to pinch up bagginess in the bag. I made my own frame bag and had the same problem with a 5L bladder and that's all I had to do-- just pinch up and 'take in' the fabric on the bag a little bit. It also helped me to cut out the bottom most 'triangle' and just make it flat. As a bonus I do not lose things in the very bottom of my bag any more.

[Yogi the Barry]

If you're in the market for a new frame pack, get someone to make you up a two compartment bag. A big bladder can go in the main/top compartment and lay parallel to the top tube. The wall between the two compartments keeps the bag from bulging. I had Nuclear Sunrise Stitchworks* make me up a two compartment bag with a bladder sling in the upper compartment and also a map compartment. After using the bag with the bladder sling a few times, I now prefer to just use it slingless [sling is removable] and lay the bladder along the bottom of the main/upper bag.
If you're stuck with the bag you currently own, then use fabric glue [someting like E-6000] to make a fbric sling/shelf/wall which connects the two sides and could also support the bladder.

  *Check out Nuclear Sunrise [Owner is Dave Wilson, also a fellow bikepacker] at the link below and check out the Gallery for two compartment bags.
  http://nukesunrise.com/

[fastmtnbiker33w]

Thanks for the props Yogi. 

I don't do the sling except on request.  I was doubtful of its effectiveness.  I make all two compartment bags to fit a 100 oz bladder in the top compartment.  Hose port is now standard issue.  There's usually room for other stuff.

I recently made a frame bag for a small full suspension BMC that fit a 100 oz bladder.  The new camelbak bladders with new HUGE caps may not work.  Check out the bladders from Platypus to save space.

[Yogi the Barry]

Dave,
The sling actually worked as I asked for in the design. You built it as I requested. No complaints. However, it seems like when I was digging in the bag what I wanted was under the bladder* and sling. Just laying the bag along the bottom of the bag made it easier to find items and lowered the CG of the load. Having a leaking bladder lower in the bag might also minimize wetting everything in the bag...
*I use the 4L MSR Dromlite bladder.

Thanks for the props Yogi. 
I don't do the sling except on request.  I was doubtful of its effectiveness...

[Couloirman]

Thats a good idea yogi. Im getting new Porcelain Rocket bags built up for this so I think I will do the 2 compartment thing and maybe get him to stiffen up the sidepanels as well