Platypus Soft Bottles - cracked

[rhino]

I have been training and putting some 1L Platypus Soft Bottles in my frame bag.  Took one out the other day and it had a crack and pin hole leak.  I chalked it up as being old and split from folding it up so many times.  I took a brand new Soft Bottle from my gear closet and after a hand full of rides, this bottle is cracked in the middle (but not leaking yet).  There is nothing in my bag that is rubbing the Platy bottle.  Duct tape is holding the water bottle from cracking more.

Anybody else have this experience? Or wise wisdom.

Platypus Soft Bottle
http://cascadedesigns.com/platypus/water-bottles/softbottle/product

I may have to try the Platypus Plus Bottle
http://cascadedesigns.com/platypus/water-bottles/plusbottle/product
Doesn't look like it will fold in the middle as much as the Soft Bottles.

[AZTtripper]

I gave up on Platypus years ago. They only seem to last about a year or so though I think they have a good warranty but that's a pain.

I have had one of the big MSR Dromedary bags for over 10 years never took good care of it and it still held up. Eventually some of the sealant wore out and it started to show seepage not a real leak just a little wet on the outside.

I have a 3 liter MSR with the bight valve and hose built in don't really care for the bigger one needing a separate hose kit. And I already had an old Camel bladder so between those two and one bottle I can carry up to 7 liters. Usually I just put 2 liters in the Camel and then it fits my smallish frame bag that leaves room in the frame for the bottle cage. I like to use a regular bike bottle easy to clean or a throw away 1 liter that I mix a hydro drink in. I never put drink mix in the bladders. 

[Done]

Seems like every Platypus that I've had for more than a few years eventually cracked and leaked. But I keep buying them (and using the warranty) since they are so light and compact. Cascade Designs says that the newer models have tougher plastic, which would be good. I'll probably try a couple the next time around.

[rhino]

I may try the Nalgene soft bottles, though they are twice the weight of a Platypus.
http://www.rei.com/product/670588

[sean salach]

Curious why you're using soft bottles? If you've got the room for the soft bottle when full, wouldn't it just be easier and longer lasting to use a regular water bottle?

[rhino]

Curious why you're using soft bottles? If you've got the room for the soft bottle when full, wouldn't it just be easier and longer lasting to use a regular water bottle?

You have a little more flexibility packing soft bottles over hard bottles.  Not debating quality here (as I have cracked soft bottles).  For the weight weenies stalking this thread, the soft bottles weight a lot less than a hard bottle.

I like the soft bottles.  Duct tape is my friend, so I may tape them...or switch over to hard bottles.

[Done]

Curious why you're using soft bottles? If you've got the room for the soft bottle when full, wouldn't it just be easier and longer lasting to use a regular water bottle?

I mostly use them for backpacking, especially in the desert. It's nice to have some extra water in camp for cooking and such (especially when the water source is far from the tent), and then to roll them up when hiking. I considered taking one on the CTR last year for the same reason, but decided not to cook in camp so it wasn't necessary. But if I were weren't "racing," I'd probably take one along for the convenience.

[MattySF]

I feel pretty lucky. I've been usiing the same (2) 2L platybottles for the last 4 years. Backpacking and biking. The only problem I've had was loosing caps. Still going strong after many trips and rough handling.
Hopefully Murphy's law won't apply to my next trip.

[sean salach]

Makes sense. I hadn't even really considered ever saving weight there. The bottles conforming a little to the other contents of a bag makes sense too.

[rhino]

I feel pretty lucky. I've been usiing the same (2) 2L playbottles for the last 4 years. Backpacking and biking. The only problem I've had was loosing caps. Still going strong after many trips and rough handling.
Hopefully Murphy's law won't apply to my next trip.

I think the issue is with the new Platypus design.  The bottle is tapered in the middle, assuming for easy grip.  When the bag lays on the side it naturally wants to kink at the taper.  I think if I try a Platypus Plus bottle, that lacks the tapers, it would not kink like this.

On another note, it was basically the only thing in the frame bag. I was using it as training weight, instead of lugging rocks around, I like to carry water.  The bottle basically had no support in the frame bag.  This might not happen when the frame bag is full of other gear.  Just thinking out loud.

[mmeiser]

I used two of the 1L for my 35 day trip down the eastern divide in January.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mmeiser2/sets/72157626034571830/

Not a single issue. Indeed they worked so well I'm thinking of making them a part of my regular kit.  They're lighter and more versatile than your standard water bottle.

I used them for collecting water from streams, sterilized them with iodine, poured boiling hot water in them repeatedly, through them in the bottom of my sleeping bag, put them in my frame bag... filled them with hot water toward the end of the day and put them in my 2oz or so sea-to-summit backpack to carry extra water and keep my temp stable as the temperatures dropped, and carried them around rolled up in the bottom of my pannier.  Key item.

In fact I think I'm even going to cut the top off one and use it in my cook kit as a bowl/mug top compliment my pot. Sort of like UL backpackers use a ziplock, but reuseable.

[tonymason]

I have used the same 2.5 liter platypus 15 years with no problems. I tend to leave it flat when empty and not roll or fold it which I am sure has added to its longevity.

[mmeiser]

I have used the same 2.5 liter platypus 15 years with no problems. I tend to leave it flat when empty and not roll or fold it which I am sure has added to its longevity.

My single biggest maintenance cost is chains and cogs. If I could get a chain I could get more then 1000 miles on and a cogset that would last more then 5000 miles.... crappy! I've had my salsa Fargo for 9 months and admittedly I've ridden in a  lot of bad conditions but I've replaced the chain five times and am on my second cogset. It's 9 speed XT all the way. And people say that the ten speed is going to be an improvement?

In summary if I can get three years out of my platypus bladder i'll be a happy man... let alone 15!  You can't beat the original nalgene for durability but  so far I love the platypus bladder. They're lighter, better packing and more versatile.

[boddunn]

My single biggest maintenance cost is chains and cogs. If I could get a chain I could get more then 1000 miles on and a cogset that would last more then 5000 miles.... crappy! I've had my salsa Fargo for 9 months and admittedly I've ridden in a  lot of bad conditions but I've replaced the chain five times and am on my second cogset. It's 9 speed XT all the way. And people say that the ten speed is going to be an improvement?

In summary if I can get three years out of my platypus bladder i'll be a happy man... let alone 15!  You can't beat the original nalgene for durability but  so far I love the platypus bladder. They're lighter, better packing and more versatile.

You need to clean your chain dude! : O ) 
 I get about 5000 miles from my Shimano chains (I compared Dura Ace, HG 93, 73 to compare how long they last and they all last just about as long as each other) but I lube it every 100 miles or so, at least every week anyway. There's a Wipperman video I saw that compares their chains, SRAM, Shimano and Campag chains with, surprise, surprise, Wipperman coming out top but it was interesting to see SRAM coming out worst by a long way and the 10 speed chains lasting a third less than 9 speed (from memory).
 Sorry for taking this off topic, chains life always seems to devolve in to a pissing height contest in forums so my apologies in advance.
 

[Done]

chains life always seems to devolve in to a pissing height contest in forums so my apologies in advance.

I love the new Platypus 37-speed chains. With the best PB&J lube (Jiffy premixed), I routinely get least 200,000 miles out of them.

[boddunn]

Meh, 37 and a half speed are so much better, I'm 759% more efficient on my cat 6 ride to work plus it's one louder.

[MattySF]

I don't think the op's platypus is the only thing that is cracked in this thread anymore.

[mmeiser]