Battle of the best gels
01-08-12, 10:42 PM
#53
Senior Member
Whatever ... I've tried lots and like lots. Variety is good.
BUT ... I don't use them unless I can't stomach solid food anymore, or really want something different from solid food, on a long, long ride.
For one thing, in my experience, the energy they provide is too short-lived. They need to be followed up with solid food soon after. And for another thing, they are tremendously expensive. I can buy a whole box of granola bars for what I'd pay for one gel.
$1.99 is actually quite reasonable. I'd almost be tempted to buy some if they dropped to that price here.
+1
The 500 ml bottle of orange juice I had on the century my husband and I rode yesterday really hit the spot ... as you say "fluid and carbs and electrolytes in one". It was approx. 200 calories.
BUT ... I don't use them unless I can't stomach solid food anymore, or really want something different from solid food, on a long, long ride.
For one thing, in my experience, the energy they provide is too short-lived. They need to be followed up with solid food soon after. And for another thing, they are tremendously expensive. I can buy a whole box of granola bars for what I'd pay for one gel.
$1.99 is actually quite reasonable. I'd almost be tempted to buy some if they dropped to that price here.
+1
The 500 ml bottle of orange juice I had on the century my husband and I rode yesterday really hit the spot ... as you say "fluid and carbs and electrolytes in one". It was approx. 200 calories.
01-08-12, 10:44 PM
#54
Senior Member
01-08-12, 10:56 PM
#55
Slower Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 328
Bikes: 2009 Giant Defy 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't use them unless I can't stomach solid food anymore, or really want something different from solid food, on a long, long ride. For one thing, in my experience, the energy they provide is too short-lived. They need to be followed up with solid food soon after. And for another thing, they are tremendously expensive. I can buy a whole box of granola bars for what I'd pay for one gel.
01-09-12, 12:59 AM
#56
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 599 Times
in
331 Posts
They run about $2.99 here ... it's just not worth it.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
01-09-12, 01:15 AM
#57
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 5,789
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease Carbon Deore 11, 2020 Salsa Warbird GRX 600, 2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX disc 9.0 Di2, 2020 Catrike Eola, 2016 Masi cxgr, 2011, Felt F3 Ltd, 2010 Trek 2.1, 2009 KHS Flite 220
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4435 Post(s)
Liked 3,064 Times
in
1,894 Posts
BEST: GU Vanilla Bean
WORST (and I mean, putrid): Shotz cola vanilla.
WORST (and I mean, putrid): Shotz cola vanilla.
01-09-12, 01:18 AM
#58
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 5,789
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease Carbon Deore 11, 2020 Salsa Warbird GRX 600, 2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX disc 9.0 Di2, 2020 Catrike Eola, 2016 Masi cxgr, 2011, Felt F3 Ltd, 2010 Trek 2.1, 2009 KHS Flite 220
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4435 Post(s)
Liked 3,064 Times
in
1,894 Posts
Everything in Australia is overpriced except the wine. And the cycling stuff is ridiculous. That's what probikekit is for. When you're ordering your tires or whatever, have them throw in some nutrition stuff - about A$1.50 for a gel, less if you get a deal on a box.
01-09-12, 03:51 PM
#60
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,159
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 119 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
But you don't think 1.99 is too much? I typically down one about every 25 miles; lot's of people do but everyone is different it terms of what their body needs. So for me, that would be $4.00 for every 50 mile ride. That's starting to be a little expensive for a bicycle ride IMO. The fact that I can get them sometimes for 10 cents a piece when they are about to go out of date tells me that there is a huge mark up on this stuff.
01-09-12, 03:59 PM
#61
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 129
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Gels are nice and all, but it's better Just to buy a big bucket of Maltodextrin. Which is the main ingredient in all these gels.
https://nutrabio.com/Products/carbomax_maltodextrin.htm
https://nutrabio.com/Products/carbomax_maltodextrin.htm
01-09-12, 04:12 PM
#62
Portland Fred
The Hammer Montana huckleberry that people keep talking about is decent. The raspberry that some people like is tolerable. Most gels are horrible.
My favorite is Crank Energy mountain rush. BTW, if you buy some of the stuff after clicking on that URL, I get a discount on my next order. Specific things I like about the Crank Energy offerings are better taste, they include electrolytes, consistency is thinner which helps it go down, and there are more calories in each pack.
My favorite is Crank Energy mountain rush. BTW, if you buy some of the stuff after clicking on that URL, I get a discount on my next order. Specific things I like about the Crank Energy offerings are better taste, they include electrolytes, consistency is thinner which helps it go down, and there are more calories in each pack.
01-09-12, 04:43 PM
#63
Hanging On
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 872
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
To me, gels are a sort of cross between pudding and ointment. You just have to find one that doesn't make you retch and you will get used to the taste.
01-09-12, 05:17 PM
#64
Portland Fred
01-09-12, 05:24 PM
#65
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 120
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
REI has the buy 12 get 20% off the whole purchase. The GU peanut better is .99 some of the other gels such as clif and hammer, so it'll come out to less than a dollar each.
01-09-12, 11:09 PM
#66
Senior Member
Why bother and why spend money when refreshing and nutritious natural calories in fluid and solid are so readily available.
01-09-12, 11:15 PM
#67
Portland Fred
Mostly packaging, convenience, and knowing exactly how they'll work on you. You can just pull exactly how many of you need out of a box, toss 'em in your jersey, and you're good to go.
01-09-12, 11:22 PM
#68
well hello there
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Point Loma, CA
Posts: 15,433
Bikes: Bill Holland (Road-Ti), Fuji Roubaix Pro (back-up), Bike Friday (folder), Co-Motion (tandem) & Trek 750 (hybrid)
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 503 Post(s)
Liked 339 Times
in
208 Posts
For some reason I ALWAYS end up with gel on my glove, no matter how careful I try to be. It's really annoying.
__________________
.
.
Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
.
.
Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
01-09-12, 11:27 PM
#69
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Fullerton
Posts: 370
Bikes: Baum Corretto - Felt F1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
01-10-12, 02:27 AM
#71
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Vallejo, SF Bay Area
Posts: 137
Bikes: 2013 Velovie Vitesse 400
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I stick with the Powerbar gels. The double latte flavor is just like having coffee on your ride. The strawberry banana is good also. I seek the gels with caffeine the Powebar gels are for me.
If you check in at GNC once in a while, you will find the gel packs on clearance. Seriously..like 32 cents a pack. The other day I found some for 62 cents a pack. They probably expire within a month or two but I certainly use them before then.
If you check in at GNC once in a while, you will find the gel packs on clearance. Seriously..like 32 cents a pack. The other day I found some for 62 cents a pack. They probably expire within a month or two but I certainly use them before then.
01-10-12, 02:46 AM
#72
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 5,789
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease Carbon Deore 11, 2020 Salsa Warbird GRX 600, 2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX disc 9.0 Di2, 2020 Catrike Eola, 2016 Masi cxgr, 2011, Felt F3 Ltd, 2010 Trek 2.1, 2009 KHS Flite 220
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4435 Post(s)
Liked 3,064 Times
in
1,894 Posts
I stick with the Powerbar gels. The double latte flavor is just like having coffee on your ride. The strawberry banana is good also. I seek the gels with caffeine the Powebar gels are for me.
If you check in at GNC once in a while, you will find the gel packs on clearance. Seriously..like 32 cents a pack. The other day I found some for 62 cents a pack. They probably expire within a month or two but I certainly use them before then.
If you check in at GNC once in a while, you will find the gel packs on clearance. Seriously..like 32 cents a pack. The other day I found some for 62 cents a pack. They probably expire within a month or two but I certainly use them before then.
01-10-12, 05:12 AM
#73
Hills hurt.. Couches kill
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Brazil, IN
Posts: 3,370
Bikes: 1991 Specialized Sirrus Triple, 2010 Trek Madone 6.5 Project One, 2012 Cannondale Caad10, 2013 Trek Crockett
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
01-10-12, 06:24 AM
#74
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: South Florida, where cycling is a combat sport
Posts: 375
Bikes: Felt AR4 - Litespeed Saber
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Honey stinger waffles are great to get something "solid" in my tummy, I just hate the packaging. I can never seem to open one up on the go, I have to stop and use my teeth and pull hard just to rip the darn thing open. I have thought about pre-cutting them, but if I don't use it on the ride than its done.
01-10-12, 06:36 AM
#75
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 5,789
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease Carbon Deore 11, 2020 Salsa Warbird GRX 600, 2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX disc 9.0 Di2, 2020 Catrike Eola, 2016 Masi cxgr, 2011, Felt F3 Ltd, 2010 Trek 2.1, 2009 KHS Flite 220
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4435 Post(s)
Liked 3,064 Times
in
1,894 Posts
Oh yeah, Clif shot bloks beat gels by a mile. Easy to get down, easy to eat whilst pedaling, somewhat tasty, same energy punch, no mess. But they are kind of expensive - about $3 on probikekit, por ejemplo.