I am using Carbo-Pro and like it. It works for me. I especially like the neutrality of this product. No flavoring or sugars, it just mixes into the water and you can barely tell it is there. BUT it is expensive at about $7 a pound! So I started looking around and came upon claims of an alternative and bulk buying equal to about $1 a pound.

Has anyone tried this product, MALTRIN QD Maltodextrins and Corn Syrup Solids, specifically M550 or M580? What is your take on it? If you have experience with this product please share.

The Story (http://miningiron.blogspot.com/2006/08/generic-carbo-pro.html)

The manufacture GPC (Grain Processing Corp.) (http://www.grainprocessing.com/food/maldescr.html)

The manufacture-Suggested Applications (scroll down to Sports and Nutrition)
I think the M580 is the right choice, but M550 works too. (http://www.grainprocessing.com/food/foodap.html)

The manufacture-DE chart (http://www.grainprocessing.com/PC/malprop.html)

You purchase-50 pound bags from J.M. Swank by calling 800-593-6375 (http://www.jmswank.com/)

I just ordered $100.00 lbs of Maltrin QD 580. It cost me $57.00/50lb bag and I had to buy two of them from ET. Horn Company. They have a distribution warehouse here in Salt Lake City and will ship it here with no freight charges. I was told by the salesman at ET. Horn that they sell literally tons of this stuff to individual cyclist. I plan on continuing to get my electrolytes in my body via Thermo Tabs (salt pills) and a magnesium/calcium pill that I have always used. I am one of those riders who really losses electrolytes (caked in salt after big hot rides). Maltin is pure carbohydrates so you still have to get proteins, electrolytes and whatever your body seems to want on rides.
I have been investigating the theory of isotonic solutions so I will not over mix my solution and have gastrointestinal problems.
I looks like if I use 1/2 cup of the stuff per bottle that will give me 150 calories. I try to drink 3 bottles/hour when I ride when its real hot so there is 450 calories, leaving me deficit around 150 calories at a moderate to hard effort, which I usually make up for by eating while riding.
I will let you know.

Thanks for the info....
I will have to get someone to go in with me and try this....
I can see if will take a bit to work up the correct mixture!
thanks
herb

You can only utilize about 250 calories per hour while you are biking, so don't get too much more than that. 450 calories is plenty.