Eligo Spile
The Eligo Spile is a "smart hydration" system, which uses their dual fluid selector bite valve with it's piggy-backed electrolyte cartridge injector. The Spile consists of a hose with a Hydrapak compatible quick connector at one end, and their dual bite valve and cartridge on the other.
If you bite down on the first lip of the valve, you get fresh water, while biting on the second mixes water with the electrolytes in the cartridge, giving a properly dosed mixture. This design keeps only fresh water in the hydration reservoir, eliminating the usual frequent cleanup process to rid it of leftover drink product, creating fewer chances for mold and discoloration.
It's a simple process to attach the cartridge; you place it 1/4 turn off access on the back of the valve, rotate it until it clicks, and then uses the center of the bite valve to puncture it to begin usage.
The electrolyte cartridges contain 15mm of fluid, and the ingredients were developed with input from sport nutritionists, and they're packed with all of your essential electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium) that your body needs. One cartridge should get you through most rides, and although it actually mixes with only 1 liter of water before it's tapped out, the dual bite valve means you'll be using plain water most of the time anyway. They currently have three electrolyte flavors, Lemon Lime, Mixed Berry, and Orange, and they retail for $2.50 each. The cartridges aren't refillable, but that might change in a future design.
The Spile retails for $48.95 and includes one Lemon Lime electrolyte cartridge.
First impressions - I got two test rides under my belt with the Eligo, and it has got a lot of promise. The normal water from the first lip spot on the bite valve has an easy draw with a good amount of flow. The second lip for the electrolyte and water mixture was slightly more difficult to draw in direct comparison, and it felt more like I was sucking it into my mouth, though once the fluid starts moving it seemed easier. I did have one mishap when the bite valve popped off its end bard, and water started to squirt all over the place when the pack had any sort of pressure on it. It needs some sort of shutoff system or perhaps a sealed cap that can be used during transport?
For more information: http://hivedesign.com/eligo/
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