UmneyDurak

Hi.
Which one works better based on experience. Looking at nutritinal values Gu has more Potasium (10g more). Both have the same ammount of carb, but CLIF has more sugars (4g more). CLIF has Magnesium (3g), and Gu doesn't. GU has Vitamins C, E (100%), and Calcium (2%), and CLIF doesn't. So far looking at "specs" GU seems to be a better choice, but I'm looking for a feedback based on personal experience too.

Thanks.

KirkeIsWaiting

This weekend was a good opportunity to see how the GU and Cytomax gels performed.
Very well for both, I'd say. I absolutely felt the surge of energy.
One climb in particular, just 15 minutes after I consumed it, the reward was there.
I'm sure they made the difference.
I had the Clif gels but chose to leave those home.

tribe3

The two most important ingredients are carbs and sodium. the rest is just "pour la galerie".

CPcyclist

I find that I go for what tasts good on the bke. Right now I really like the vanilla Gu.

Just remember to use water to wash them down as most "energy" drinks if used over a long ride to wash them down will lead to dehydration and a realy bad bonk.

UmneyDurak

Well they both have the same amount of sodium, and carbs. Only GLIF has more sugars. So destinguishing factor is "pour la galerie".

slvoid

I'd go with powergel or accelgel (which has a bit of protein for good measure). Everything else is way too thick.

late

Gu beats the crap outta Cliff.
Don't like Hammergel at all.

martin_j001

I tried a couple of the Cliff gels and they were awful tasting, IMO. I prefer Powergels, and Accel gels--these taste the best to me, and as slvoid pointed out they have protein too.

badsac

Only tried GU. Bought a truckload of the stuff, but got to say I'm not that impressed. I bonk without taking the stuff. I bonk with taking the stuff. Don't get me wrong, I love the bonk. But sometimes it's impractical and at times like that GU seems to do stuff all. Maybe it makes the bonk less severe. I don't know. Not sure it's worth the money though.

late

Something is wrong. Prob not eating enough in the 24hr prior to riding.
If you are bonking, your body is not getting what it needs. Unless you are just riding too hard, or some other sort of overtraining issue.

Hill Climber

I’ve used both CLIF and Powergel with no real noticeable difference in performance. Right now I’m on Powergel because my wife found them somewhere online for $18 a case.

badsac

Oh, riding to hard is definitley it. Like I said, I strangely like the bonk. Got to make sure you've left it all on the ride after all. But these things are supposed to be a magic, get-out-of-jail-free card aren't they?

BTW, am I the only one who thinks they're just to sweet to comfortably eat when in the middle of a ride?

Jakey

I like Carb Boom gels myself...

mrhatten

from my knowledge, there are a lot of factors that differentiate the gels. firstly, magnesium isnt just something that sounds cool, its used in the body for muscle contraction, and therefore helps in power transfer, and the holding off of cramps. the other thing i like is caffeine, ives an extra kick, and there is one with double caffeine, i think its powerbar. and there it is, my 2 cents.

SteveAZ

Anyone else having a tough time with the consistancy of these things? I mean damn 98 degree slime running down my throat.....YUK! Anyone ever trying mixing them with a small bottle of water? This shouldn't influence the affect should it since you're supposed to take them with water? Or is it just as gross, haven't tried it yet but seriously considering it.

geist

The best gels in my opinion are the Enervite sport gels. They come in cola, lemon or orange. They have a much more liquid texture, not that whack Betty Crocker cake icing crap. For long rides or to negate a bonk carry an Enervitine "Cheer Pack". That's the bag with the twist off cap (you can dose it out over a ride). It tastes alot like a melted red Freez-R-Pop and it will save your a$$ when you bonk.

probeski

CPcyclist
Can you explain why this happens with most "energy" drinks as opposed to water?

Inverted

In Michael Barry's book Inside the Postal Bus, he said they used Clif shots. Then again, this was a few years ago and things may have changed. But if it's good enough for USPS/Disco.....

gcasillo

Used to like GU, but I've become a convert to the PowerBar double caffeine tangerine. Mmmm, double caffeine...

SteveAZ, yeah, you wash 'em down with a swig of water. Winter is kinda tough as the gels tend to firm up a little. So you have to pick a flavor you don't mind gumming up your chops a bit until you can really slosh it down. I used to like the chocolate flavored GU, but I just couldn't stand the fudgeness.

jjmolyet

I don't claim to be an expert, but I am a big fan of Honey Stinger, great taste and texture, 29 Carbs compared to Gu's 25, 50Sodium compared to 40 for GU, taste great and fast acting. I like to use 1 at the half way point of my ride, I also eat powerbites at the start of my ride and usually ride between 2-2.5 hours.

hi565

DING DING DING! Winner...

UmneyDurak

Any particular reason?

simplyred

..

jtenright

hammer gel

thebankman

Gu was the only gel out when I was a teenager so I'm familiar to the taste. The double caffeine flavors are greeeeat