Jake B

Hey guys,

I was just wondering what the best energy bars are for before, during, and after the ride. I am looking for the ones with the best flavor, and the ones that give you the most energy. Also, what are the best energy drinks?

Thanks,
Jake

bmafg

I'm a fan of Clif bars. They seem to be less of a probelm when it gets really hot, taste ok and provide energy over a longer period than some others I've tried.

As for energy drinks -- I don't use them. I eat for energy. I drink for fluid and electrolyte replacement. I am a big fan of Nuun tablets (nuun.com) added to my water bottles for electrolyte replacement. No suger, nothing sticky. I can carry a tube of these in my jersey on long rides. When I refill a water bottle, I drop a couple in and I'm good to go.

Matt Gaunt

Personal preference I think. I use Hi5 citrus flavour bars which are really dense. You only need a bite at each low point in your ride and they bring you back strong. On long rides I carry two bottles filled with strong cordial, and a Platypus filled with water. I mix the two as to how I feel. I take salt in a film canister to take at every other stop neat. Tastes rank but very effective at preventing cramp.

cycle17

I really like Cliff bars... lots of good flavors to choose from. But I usually cut them up before I leave for a ride and put them in a ziplock baggie. Then I can jsut pull out a few bites at a time instead of trying to hold onto the entire bar. I like the powerbar performance bars, but they melt when it's hot and make an awful mess. For fast fuel I carry 3 or 4 GU Gel packets and just squeeze them out and wash down with Gatorade or water. I almost never stop on a ride unless nature is calling.

badkarma

I also second the Clif bars. I find them to be superior to the regular powerbars in terms of taste and energy.

rsty2fan

These Cliff bars? Are they made or inspired by this guy?


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Patriot

I have grown fond of Clif and Powerbar Harvest. They're both pretty good.

hi565

This is a very disputed topic, almost to the point of Shimmy vs. Campy, but not there yet

Some would say clif bars, I personally prefer them. Some say straight power bars (In my view, some taste good, but they are the worst things to take down part way through your ride) some say power bar harvest bars. Some like Lara bars.

On the other hand, some don't even use bars, some go the all real food route and prefer things along the lines of a PB&J, which is a good choice, considering you get the best of all worlds (protein, good fat=PB; carbs, sugar=J; carbs=bread) Some like things like fruit, I like bananas because of the potassium that they have.

So just to show you the options you have that are out in this world.

hi565

linux_author

- my personal pref (after trying many types on the market):

1. find nuttiest 12-grain bread possible (you know, the kind w/whole sunflower seeds in 'em)
2. Jif 90% smooth peanut butter (very good consumer-grade peanut butter; no added sugars)
3. strawberry jam (here's the corn syrup and sugars!)
4. make a PBJ
5. cut into 4 quarters
6. wrap in foil
7. stick in wedgie bag
8. eat *before* bonk sets in

- works for me and is *cheap*!

:-)

cc_rider

Powerbar, chocolate flavor. Tastes a lot like a Tootsie Roll.

Tried other flavors and other brands. Either the taste is off, or it leaves a bad after-taste, or it melts too easily and turns into a gooey mess before I can open it.

Avatar

https://www.veganessentials.com/catal...n-food-bar.htm

Organic Vegan. Tastes good too.

geraldatwork

I 2nd the Powerbar Harvest.

el twe

Snickers. Seriously.

And Fruit Leather.

JF1

My neighbor turned me on to the Gu packs for energy, downed with some gatorade during a ride. Makes a huge difference. I'll eat half a banana and a MOJO bar before a ride simply because I like them the best and it seems to work.

CastIron

fig Newtons!!!

bmafg

ditto the Fig Newtons, except when it's really hot they tend to disintegrate in their package making them impossible to eat on the bike and quite messy at any time.

bmafg

The Fig Newtons reminded me that I've also used dried figs successfully as an energy source. Very easy to carry, tasty, etc. Not as filling and not as calorie dense as clif bars but an interesting change of pace at times.

thewalrus