Vicelord

I have been trying to use Gu Brew for a while now and before/after rides I find it to be helpful, but during the ride it just is too sugary. I find it tends to create too much mucus and makes me feel weighed down.

Does anyone have a similar product to Gu Brew that doesn't have the negative sugary effects? Something unflavored would be ideal, but I haven't noticed a product of that nature.

thanks!

Ultraslide

I use the GU electrolyte tabs for the very reasons you state. The lemon lime flavor is very light tasting. Not sugary or syrupy. Just drop a tab in your bottle. For longer rides I take extra tabs and just find water. Costs about 50 cents a bottle.

Vicelord

I haven't seen those before... I'll look next time I make my monthly trip to Performance Bike for nutrition.

DropDeadFred

NOxplode....i use the same stuff i use to get me amped and powered to work out out...my energy level shoots through the roof on that stuff...just a bottle of it before my ride

Vicelord

it gets you amped and powered + higher energy level? This doesn't sound like a simple electrolyte suppliment to me.

gus6464

lol noxplode is definitely not an electrolyte supplement.

Vicelord

funny that recommendation came from a guy with fourloko cans in his Oreba

Ultraslide

Here's another thread that mentions a lot of similar products.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-or-Hinderance

I'll be trying the Hammer Fizz in Grapefruit!

DropDeadFred

i do everything in the wrongest of ways....both are instant HTFU though...
NOxplode product description: Replenish Electrolytes and Boost Phosphocreatine Levels

DScott

Gvie HEED a try- it even comes unflavored. Not at all sugary.

DropDeadFred

according to this it is:click on me to see I'm right

EdIsMe

This is a recipe I formulated and have had very good results with:

(Makes 12oz of drink per serving)

1/8 Cup White Granulated Sugar,
1/2 oz Concentrated Lemon Juice,
1 Pinch Iodized Table Salt,
Add water to fill remainder.

This will replace the four essential lost ions during physical exertion (sodium, chlorine, potassium, and iodine). The lemon juice supplies various needed vitamins, a small amount of protein and is the primary source of potassium in this mix.[1] Also, the granulated sugar supplies the body with carbohydrates in the form of glucose, the base simple sugar used to power the brain and muscle functions; i.e. energy!

[1] https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/...-juices/1938/2

Vicelord

1/8 cup seems like a TON of sugar for a 12oz drink, especially when I'm complaining about a drink being too sugary.

fishymamba

Thanks for this! I will try this on my next ride! Don't want to spend money on Heed, Brew, etc.

EdIsMe

It isn't a small amount of sugar and if your taste is different you can always tone it down a bit. I like it because it is glucose and not high fructose corn syrup bullcrap. The idea is using glucose instead of the corn stuff will not make you nauseous because your body is better at processing it. I'm pretty sure Gu uses maltodextrine which isn't really so much a natural sugar if you catch my drift.

The glucose + lemon juice definitely gives you a noticeable energy boost very quickly after drinking. This recipe also has significantly less of... really everything when compared to Gu and would be more along the lines of a drink replacement rather than a supplement.

Vicelord

Well if you're really worried about quality and natural ingredients, processed white sugar ain't exactly the best choice.

EdIsMe

It isn't that it's naturally derived, but rather that it's easily processed by the body. Processed or not, glucose is the simplest form of sugar that our bodies utilize for energy.

The makers of Gu and the like will claim that they do not use glucose because the body absorbs it too quickly, but that is exactly what you want in a scenario when you are administering it into your body slowly; i.e. in the form of a drink you would drink over the course of half an hour to an hour (for 12 oz).

When I ride, I bring 48 oz along and generally run out in about 2.5-3 hours of riding and I ride in 90 degree hot Florida weather and sweat plenty. Just this morning I rode 46 miles in 2 hours and 33 minutes (approx 18mph average) on flat ground for 90% of the ride and including crossing 2 intercoastal (>120 foot elevation bridges) on a solo ride. I also ride this bike: https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...rack_bikes.htm but with a 15t cog in the rear. (Saving up currently for a real road bike).

Val23708

Regular Lemon-Lime Gatorade (powdered) for me. 1 cup of maltodextrin if i want extra calories

gus6464

noxplode is basically a pre-workout energy supplement. It is not meant to be used during or post workout which is what the OP is looking for.

DropDeadFred

i thought most of those "gels" were pre-ride and ride type things...I can't see taking one post ride...I'd just drink gatorade if thats the case...that's kind of their thing............., ..............

DrPete 

Brawndo.

DrPete 

Yeah, that creatine will make the first 3 minutes of your ride totally faster.

Vicelord

You've never felt dehydrated after a workout and wanted to get some electrolytes quickly?

gus6464

I started making a post ride shake consisting of a scoop of lean protein, 8oz of soy milk, 4oz water, and a banana and it I now I am nowhere near as sore as I used to get. For during the ride I use half blue powerade half water and it tastes very good and its not all sugary.

DropDeadFred

No lie, i did it today after posting here...rode 22 miles the fastest yet (usual route) averaged a 20.1 on the way up...21.2 on the way back. Granted i felt jittery at the start but the energy was sustained...i did hydrate all day and got good rest for a day as well.

again...slam a gatorade...I don't see what else is really "faster"