Malto is incorrectly labeled and sold as a "complex carb." It's glycemic index is usually given as 130, which is higher than that of sugar. There are reasons for using malto instead of sugar:
Higher glycemic index works better for biking.
It's not sweet. I can put 750 cal of it in a 24 oz. bottle and drink it up in 3 hours and want another one. Try that with sugar.
I use a 7:1 mix of malto and flavored whey protein. That's the perfect sports drink. I burn it at a rate of 2 cups of dry powder in 3 hours.
I take Endurolytes for electrolytes and find that works better than putting it in the liquid.