mthayer

Does anyone eat Clif bars? I have seen them at a local LBS and now have seen them at the local grocery store. I am wondering if they really provide energy like they claim, and if they are tasty. I am a fan of granola bars and the clif bars seem to be like them.

surfrider

My opinion: Clif Bar = sawdust held together with Elmer's-style glue, with a little bit of flavoring added. Stick with granola bars

obiwan kenobi

My wife once described PowerBars with the same terms.

I tried Cliff Bars once, didn't care for the taste, been a PowerBar consumer since I started riding since they were the only bar on the market.

MIH-Dave

I like them, but I've learned to give the package a little "pinch" to make sure the bar isn't old or dried out. My personal favorites are White Chip macadamia nut, Chocolate brownie, and Iced Gingerbread (although it's only a Christmas time flavor.

I was lucky to have one on me recently as my fathers sugar crashed during a ride (type II diabetic, one of the reasons why I'm pushing myself now) the bar really helped him out. Also, save my butt on my first century in September.

nscrbug

I like 'em...but I'm pretty easy to please. On longer bike rides, I tend to stick with the "mini" Clif bars because it's easier for me to control the amount of calories I'm taking in per hour since they are 100 calories a piece. But of the full-sized bars, my favorites are the white chocolate macadamia, banana bread, and cranberry orange nut bread (limited edition holiday version).

CliftonGK1

I like the Carrot Cake ones, but in limited amounts. I'll bring one and some fruit on a 50 miler, but I won't try to last a full century on nothing but Clif Bars. I made that mistake on STP, trying to survive on just bars and gels. Ptooey! By hour 10, I was about to hurl at the mere sight of the danged things.

cyclokitty 

They have a better texture than Powerbars (which reminds me of really disappointing taffy). I find the texture of a clif bar similar to that of an under baked muffin with a peculiar fig paste taste that's over bearing.

Luna bars are tastier and have a nicer, drier texture. I recommend giving those a whirl.

mthayer

I did see the Luna bars at the store also so I may pick up a box of them also. It does say that they are for women though.

sstorkel

They cost 2 bucks. Why not buy one and try it for yourself?

Sounds like you're eating PowerBars, not Clif Bars! All of the Clif Bars I've eaten were like a sort of thick, chewy granola bar. Some flavors are good, some aren't. Luckily, there a dozens to chose from; their website only lists a few, while my grocery has 2 dozen!

My only complaint? Most of the carbs, are there are quite a few, are from simple sugars. I'd swear they had a better balance between simple sugars and other carbs when I started eating them 10-15 years ago. For sustained nutrition on long rides, I use Hammer Gel. For immediate energy, I find that Clif Bars work pretty well.

Mr. Beanz

I don't think Clifbars are give you energy, not a noticeable burst anyway, but may keep a rider from bonking. I use one on a flat 60 miler or a 40 miler with 5000ft of climbing. But really, a P&J sandwich is better IMO, just not as convenient.

I like the cherry almond, walnut raisin flavors. Gina likes the chocolate flavors.

LBS is a rip, $1.59???? Target has several flavors at 99 cents. Also have found great deals at Costco. Gina found a coupon "buy one 24 count box, get one free"! And the box was on sale for $19.99. That was 48 bars for $20 bucks!

mthayer

At HEB they are 5.49 for a box of 6. Not as good as the 48 for $ 20. What it the deal with gels?

10 Wheels

They will give you Gas.
Here is proof.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoCHQjGKLP8&NR=1

mthayer

Thats was worth the view.

mthayer

I guess Ill just stick to eating noodles before riding. I try to do 20-30 mile rides on the weekend, but I need to start getting up to 40 miles comfortably by the this time next month or sooner. I am planning on doing my first over night self supported tour, and I will probably be doing it solo also by the end of February. I have never toured before so its going to be a experience.

DieselDan

Clif Bar got caught up in that nasty peanut processor scandal in Georgia. PB&J works best for me.

10 Wheels

Go to your grocery store, breakfast section, get some fruit bars there, easy to carry and eat whilie riding.

CliftonGK1

And what's the deal with airline food? Huh, am I right?

Gels are for the quick burst of energy. They're ~100 calories of flavoured short chain carb, and they'll last you for the attack you're making, hill you're sprinting, etc. They're in and burned up rather quickly.
10 Wheels isn't kidding though. A couple Accel Gels, a few bottles of Accelerade, 12 hours in the saddle, and I get the worst case of rando-gas ever.

mthayer

Good ole Hill country fare. Be wary when you do buy it though. Check the prices, I have noticed that sometimes it is actually cheaper to buy name brand products.

cohophysh

ProBars are good if you can find them

deep_sky

I like the black cherry shot bloks myself. Make sure you rip em open aforehand as they are not possible to open on the move. If you get em all prepared, you just keep squeezing the tube and popping them in your mouth. They don't taste hideous, and they seem to really help me when I'm feeling low on energy.

2Klose

I agree, I like the Clif Bars as a snack halfway through. I had been doing a lot of 2 hour rides and would eat this after an hour. I don't think it gave me a burst, but it helped me complete the ride. I used a ziploc of raisins for a quick pick me up if needed. My favorite is the Chocolate Chunk Brownie, but I also like the blueberry cobler.

ETA - we buy ours at Sam's or Costco as well. We just have to keep checking as they don't always carry them.

bautieri

I too echo that they will not give a huge energy boost right away, however, they do give decent energy over time in a nice neat wrapper. Peanut butter and banana sandwiches work best for me, however they get messy in a jersey pocket. The cliff bar has the edge in ease of consumption, if you practice a bit you don’t even have to slow down to eat one. The sandwich rout you have to stop to eat unless you don’t mind a sticky mess.

Taste wise, I like them, particularly the chocolate mint ones. Then again, my palate is not difficult to please.

Oh yeah: Cliff Bar farts.

IAmCosmo

I love Clif bars. I buy them by the case. Before a ride I cut them up into 1" squares and put them in a ziploc bag. That way I can just grab a little piece out when I need it.

sstorkel

Depends on the gel, actually. Hammer Gel, for example, does not contain much in the way of short-chain, fast-acting carbs.

CliftonGK1

A primary component of Hammer Gel is their proprietary Energy Smart (R) mixture which is fruit juice concentrate (short sugars) and "natural grain dextrins" (more short sugar).
They balance it with some long chained maltodextrin, but the recommended use is that is can be your primary caloric source for events under 2 hours. They're quick burn fuel. For someone my size they suggest 3/hour, which is the usual 300 calorie suggestion.

Just out of curiosity, unless you're doing a 120 minute sprint/interval session, who needs to eat on a ride of 2 hour or less?