Just wondering what i should look for in an energy bar? High in protein, high in carbs? Whenever i'm cross countrying cycling, i always get tired around 60-90 minutes of hard riding. I can't keep up with the faster riders! I've read at mtbr.com that Cliff's are good and powerbar sucks. So i would like you guys opinions. Also how is gatorade? Does it help as much? I know it has a bunch of electrolytes, but wondering about actual energy like the bars. And when do i eat it? Thanks!

I look for:

1. VARIETY!!! I cannot eat the same energy bar twice in a row. Bleck!!!

2. CALORIES - it's gotta be high in calories

3. Flavor - it has to appeal to me or I'm not going to eat it

4. Carbs mostly, but also protein and fat

5. Minerals and vitamins and stuff like that

6. Price - no way am I going to fork over anything more than $2 per bar. I'll buy a bag of oatmeal cookies instead


A suggestion: go to your local grocery store or pharmacy ... buy one each of all the energy bars that appeal to you and meet your requirements. Try them. You'll decide which ones YOU like that way.

Personally, I like Peak bars, Powerbars are pretty good, especially the new Harvest ones, and I hate Clif bars. But there are also about 30 other brands out there, some are good, some are not.

Thanks :)

Yup i'll go buy a bunch of bars, but i was just worried about the contents. Since i'm not sure about all the calorie, protein, carbs, fat stuff. So i guess i'm gonna look for high in calorie, high in carb, low protein and low fat. right? Like i obviously have to avoid caffeine!

I have been using Power Bars and Cliff Bars - I like the taste and contents slightly better on the Cliff.

Power Bar vs Clif is just a personal preference. Power Bars tend to be smoother in texture. Clif Bars are chunky. I prefer Clif's Oatmeal Raisin Walnut. It's a little easier for me to chew and ride. I used to do the Peanut Butter/Chocolate chip but I could barely breathe while chewing. Try out a few flavors on a ride and see how they do. You might find something totally different for your needs.

Given your user name and Avator, I recommend you avoid anything which contains fish :)

So how should i eat the bars? 30 minutes before a ride? Or like during a ride? Also are these healthy for you like if you have a balanced diet for breakfast etc...

DURING the ride. Try to eat about 250 calories per hour while you ride (most energy bars are about 250 calories), and it is best not to stuff the whole energy bar down once an hour ... nibble a bite or two every 10 minutes or so.

If you are going out for an hour ride, just eat a good breakfast, and maybe tuck an energy bar in your bag just in case you stay out longer. If you're going longer, eat that good breakfast, then after about an hour of riding, start in on the energy bars.

Thanks for the help!

I usually take powerbars if I'm riding longer then 30 miles. Otherwise I just take either a bottle of water or bottle of water and gatorade.

I usually eat a PowerBar before the ride and then at different intervals during the ride. When I eat them during a ride depends on the distance I am going. Rides less then 50 miles I generally don't eat on the bike. Today I rode 80 miles and consumed 3 PowerBars and a dozen Fig Newtons. Fig Newtons are great!

whats a fig newton? 3 powerbars? wow! I haven't tried one yet, but i'm gonna eat half 15 minutes before a ride,and than the other half during the ride. I'm hoping to find some of the Clif! I heard they are excellent!

i'm going to go one step further and suggest that you carbo load better the night before. huge plate of pasta for me and so much fluids that i pee every 3 to 4 hours. i start this on thursday night, continue friday and saturday for the big, fast sat & sun rides. These former USPS riders like to turn it up>>

any nutrition you get oin the bike is to top off the tank after a good breakfast.

i like the harvest powerbars personally. but cliffs are good too. i also drink accelerade. yes, there are some who say that the protein in it is unnecessary, but it works well for me.

thanks for the great tips. maybe what i do wrong is eat eggs for breakfast with toast, and i get too much protein compared to carbs? Since my muslces were VERY sore after my first 2 hr ride this season, maybe i should've eaten eggs for lunch instead hehe.

Go to a grocery store and check the cookie area -- you'll find fig newtons there. In fact, IMO, cookies are often just as good (and taste much better than) energy bars.

He ate 3 powerbars and all those fig newtons because he rode 80 miles. If you are only riding 60-90 minutes (maybe 25 miles?), you don't need 3 powerbars. Just eat a good breakfast, then ride, and about an hour into the ride, start nibbling your energy bar.