Energy Gel Info

[ghixon]

I've started to ride longer trails recently (25-30 miles). I usually pack a banana or two, a couple of Clif/Power Bars and maybe a sandwich. I've be reading about the pros and cons of the various energy gels and the like and wondering if there are any that are better than the others.

I'm wondering if anyone has any good or bad info on usage and intervals while riding. All the stuff that I've found online is written by the manufacturers themselves and all of them say they are the best out there. Who knows what's right and what's been written by the marketing monkeys.

So, if any folks have any info, I'd greatly appreciate it. Also, if you have a preference, let me know.

Greg

[Fired Yo Momma]

GU Orange flavor its the only way to go the others taste like kaka.

[SAR_boats]

I ued to use the gels but now I use nothing but the Cliff Shot Blocks.

[CC]

Yup...Orange Burst Gu or the other ones that are Orange taste the best to me.

[xhuskr]

Vanilla or the Esspresson Love (double caffeine) are good. I tried Hammer Gel, but it didn't seem to work as well. AND.....Gu has a nice trade in deal to provide an incentive to recycle. GUsports Stash Your Trash Program

[Schecky]

I like the Just Plain GU too, along with Vanilla and Espresso Love.
I don't like burpin' the fruit flavors (somehow that just sounds wrong...).

edit
Another plus is that GU is the cheapest!

Carb-BOOM! Energy Gel :: Product Information

The Apple rocks and the orange is good stuff.

ad info

Carb-BOOM! is a great tasting energy gel made from super concentrated complex carbohydrates and flavored with real fruit. Carb-BOOM! is a perfect sports nutritional supplement to increase and maintain energy levels before, during and after exercise.
Carb-BOOM!’s carbohydrate composition consists of a special blend of 22-25g of complex carbohydrates (maltodextrin) and just 2-4g of simple sugars. This provides for a superior taste that is “not too sweet” and is very gentle on the stomach.
Carb-BOOM! is an ideal energy fuel for any athlete, whether racing, training or just looking for a clean, natural energy source. All of Carb-BOOM!'s great tasting flavors, Vanilla Orange, Chocolate Cherry, Plain Vanilla, Strawberry Kiwi, Banana Peach, and Apple Cinnamon are packaged in 1.4 ounce "easy tear" foil packets. Apple Cinnamon and Vanilla Orange are also available as Big-BOOM, a 12 oz multi-serving container.

The sugary stuff kills my stomach.

[Winger]

FYI, Costco has a 2 for 1 on Powerbars this month in their official coupon mailer. 48 bars for $20.

[allison]

We got really into figuring out nutrition when we were training for counting coup last winter. We were using Gu's (I'd buy the multi flavor boxes from Performance, but we both like Berry flavor the best). We also use Clif Bloks (HIGHLY recommend Margarita flavor, if you can find them).

Check out Hammer Nutrition's resource site that has a lot of info on their products, as well nutrition and training. Lots of good reading.

I'm actually really digging on their Hammer Gel Tropical flavor right now. I LOVE the ease of their flask and refill containers. You can keep the flast in your pocket or pack and it's easy to open (like a water bottle). It's probably not highly advisable, but if I don't finish my flask I just refill the next time. I haven't cleaned it out recently, but it tastes fine and I haven't gotten ill from it I like the tropical mostly cause it has caffeine, but it tastes good also (to me).

If you're interested in any of their products let me know; I can hook you up with a 15% referral discount. The other cool thing about Hammer is customer service. I got a ton of extra stuff when I placed my first order, and when I placed a recent order asked to try out a few things and they included them all for free.

[xhuskr]

Originally Posted by allison

If you're interested in any of their products let me know; I can hook you up with a 15% referral discount.

I'd be willing to try the Tropical. Their Vanilla didn't work for me. I guess I should clean out the flask, eh? Can you send the referral discount? PM or post? Or better to purchase at LBS?

[ghixon]

Originally Posted by SAR_boats

I ued to use the gels but now I use nothing but the Cliff Shot Blocks.

Any particular reason for the Clif's?

Originally Posted by allison

We got really into figuring out nutrition when we were training for counting coup last winter. We were using Gu's (I'd buy the multi flavor boxes from Performance, but we both like Berry flavor the best). We also use Clif Bloks (HIGHLY recommend Margarita flavor, if you can find them).

Check out Hammer Nutrition's resource site that has a lot of info on their products, as well nutrition and training. Lots of good reading.

I'm actually really digging on their Hammer Gel Tropical flavor right now. I LOVE the ease of their flask and refill containers. You can keep the flast in your pocket or pack and it's easy to open (like a water bottle). It's probably not highly advisable, but if I don't finish my flask I just refill the next time. I haven't cleaned it out recently, but it tastes fine and I haven't gotten ill from it I like the tropical mostly cause it has caffeine, but it tastes good also (to me).

If you're interested in any of their products let me know; I can hook you up with a 15% referral discount. The other cool thing about Hammer is customer service. I got a ton of extra stuff when I placed my first order, and when I placed a recent order asked to try out a few things and they included them all for free.

I looked around the website and called them earlier today. The nice folks are sending some sample stuff out this week. Gotta love free stuff.

Thanks
Greg

Originally Posted by Fired Yo Momma

GU Orange flavor its the only way to go the others taste like kaka.

GU is what people have been saying as the most effective for 2-3 hour rides. I'll have to give them a shot.

Greg

[allison]

Originally Posted by xhuskr

I'd be willing to try the Tropical. Their Vanilla didn't work for me. I guess I should clean out the flask, eh? Can you send the referral discount? PM or post? Or better to purchase at LBS?

We don't have a local shop that stocks the stuff regularly, so I've mostly gotten mine from Hammer. I did buy the initial Tropical refill bottle from a local shop, but when I ran out they had none of that left.

You should have email!

[Burner]

Originally Posted by allison

We also use Clif Bloks (HIGHLY recommend Margarita flavor, if you can find them).

while I love ClifBloks, the margarita is pure nastiness.
:we need a puking emoticon:

I like the Clif products because they work for me, taste good, and the ingredients list doesn't sound like a chem lab, it's all organic stuff. I mostly the shots and the bloks, but the bars too for long rides.

clif blocks are like 'gummy' goo, and they're tasty (cran-raz or strawberry for me). Some flavors have caffeine others don't.

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by allison

I LOVE the ease of their flask and refill containers. You can keep the flast in your pocket or pack and it's easy to open (like a water bottle). It's probably not highly advisable, but if I don't finish my flask I just refill the next time. I haven't cleaned it out recently, but it tastes fine and I haven't gotten ill from it

My wife does the same thing. She just throws the flask into the fridge and rarely has to clean it out.

[xhuskr]

Originally Posted by mtnbikej

My wife does the same thing. She just throws the flask into the fridge and rarely has to clean it out.

I put my Camelback in the freezer...keeps it cold and clean!

[mytrustysteed]

I like the banana Hammer gel. No simple sugars, good if your diabetic. Crank is really good too for longer rides, has lots of electrolites.

[Jordansrealm]

Cant stand the gels. Clif Shot Blocks all the way!

[Letyrides]

Bottom line I guess trial and error to see what works best is the way to go. I know I can't do Cliff Blocks because I don't like gummy stuff. I hate bars and only really like Vanilla gel. What did work for me was FRS drink, I used it for my Olympic tri and I loved it. If I can I just pack a PB&J, fruit or some type of nut mixture. A long time ago I got the bright idea to use fritos since they were salty and I swear I didn't cramp.

[CC]

I also ride with Cytomax in a water bottle on longer rides.

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by xhuskr

I put my Camelback in the freezer...keeps it cold and clean!

I put them in the fridge......have not cleaned them in 3 years.