Originally Posted by Murrays
Try looking at the label/website. If the calories/carbs/protein are similar, I would say yes.
OTOH, it’s easier to “dose” the intake from a water bottle vs. a gel pack. It’s much easier to forget to take a gel pack from your jersey pocket vs. drinking from your water bottle.
-murray
accelerade has the collateral benefit of also hydrating you. gels aren't really designed for hydration, as much as quick energy. on a long ride, i generally take one bottle of full-strength accelerade, one slightly diluted bottle of accelerade, and a few gu packs (vanilla bean rocks). maybe a clif bar if it's very long.