island rider

I'm thinking of making Hammer purchase. I've heard good things, and they seem to have done significant research into science behind their products. I am considering one of their Fueling Kits and some recovery products. I'm looking for recommendations.

Let me know what you use, what you like, what you suggest, and why.

Thanks.

p2templin

HEED (Strawberry) for rides up to 2 hours. Two scoops per bottle, one bottle per hour.
Perpetuem (Cafe Latte) for rides longer than 2 hours. Four scoops per bottle, one bottle every two hours, plus water from camelbak. Add 4-6 scoops Endurolytes for electrolyte replacement. Don't water-up the bottle until you're about ready to use it; this spoils in 3-5 hours.
Recoverite (Strawberry) for post-ride. Two scoops per bottle, one bottle per ride.
A mix of supplements, holler if you want the full skinny on what I use.

mrardo

I have tried most of their stuff and it's all good. It's a matter of taste and what you need for the kind of riding you do. They have a sale in November so you can stock up. Try small sizes to see what tastes you like. Their clothing is cheap and good quality if you can stand the Hammer logos.

EvenKeel

Use HEED, Hammer Gels, Recoverite and, occassionally, Whey protein.

On my typical saturday 50 miler, I do the following:

* 1 hammer gel 15 mins before start
* During ride, 1 bottle of plain water, 1 bottle of HEED (2.5 scoops.....has to be used based on weight)
* About 25 miles in, I use another hammer gel.
* When I get home, I do a pack of recoverite. If the ride has been really intense, i'll do a pack of Whey as well.

Hammer gels are supposed to be fine, up to 3 hours. Beyond that, one needs a protein add on....this is where Perpeteum, comes in. I have not used it, so I can't say anything about it.

MrTuner1970

Hammer Gel with a flash. Cheaper in bulk and easy to dispense.

Recoverite is good. I have some, use it, but more often eat a Clif Builder's Bar immediately after a hard/long ride. It's more conveniently packaged with no mixing required.

Perpetuem is so-so for me. I seem to do better on bars and gels on long rides.

Endurolytes. I'm trying some of the Fizz Endurolytes things. They should be more convenient during races.

Multi-vitamins and Mito Caps. Figure I need some vitamins.

Race Caps. I'm racing this year. Have no idea if they work as advertised. I just take 'em. Hope they are helping.

If you find you like Hammer products, sign up for the VIP plan. Discounted prices and free shipping. Plus a "free" kit when you sign up, and "free" gifts they include with the quarterly shipments.

island rider

Is this the auto-ship thing? Basically, you commit to buy from them for a year and you get a shipment every 90 days?

EDIT - Thanks for the information too. This is the sort of thing I am curious about. Frankly I like their guidelines. It's like hiring a nutritionist.

bike56

Me too,love there stuff.Try rides without and then with.You'll see a big difference.Something in recoverite my body really likes

MrTuner1970

Yeah, that's it. I probably called it the wrong thing--brain is dead today. It works out to a minimum of $150 per quarter. I generally need at least that much, so it works great for my needs. Have been doing the auto-ship for just over a year.

Now if they'd just make that one product all us cyclists have been really wanting: Liposuction in a bottle....

gg-madone

yup, I fully endorse using their products. I use Heed, Perpetum Solids, Gels, Bars, Anti Fatigue Caps, Endurolytes, Fizz, Race Day Boost, Just call and talk with a consultant and they will help you choose what you need.

redoak

A gel or (2) on a long demanding ride is mandatory. And everyone carries along sports drinks. All of the commercial pre-made powders for drinks can get a bit expensive. Hammer claims to have the 'secret ingredient' that makes them unique. Their mystery ingredient is maltodextrin derived from corn. It delivers carbs to your system.
My research indicates that commercial sports drinks are; liquid, carbs, electrolytes and of course dye and some sort of flavoring.
The home recipes I found are, maltodextrin (carbs), Morton's lite salt (electrolyte), and some Crystal light for flavor. Searches show you can buy maltodextrin from corn for very little. You can fill up 20oz water bottles for pennies.

fishymamba

I have made my own drink by using maltodextrin, lite salt, and a bit of Gatorade powder(flavor is very strong, so I only a add a little bit) for flavoring. Worked great for me and tastes better than the Hammer HEED(tastes HORRIBLE IMO) and the Gu Brew(Tastes better than Hammer).

Also I like the GU gel flavors more than the hammer gel flavors. GU also seems to work better for me. Unfortunately I bought a big jar of Hammer Gel and it will take a while for me to use it all up. I like the Chocolate and Espresso flavors from both brands, Montana Huckleberry from Hammer also tastes good, but not as good as Espresso.

redoak

[QUOTE=fishymamba;14331758]I have made my own drink by using maltodextrin, lite salt, and a bit of Gatorade powder(flavor is very strong, so I only a add a little bit) for flavoring. Worked great for me and tastes better than the Hammer HEED(tastes HORRIBLE IMO) and the Gu Brew(Tastes better than Hammer).

Would you share your recipe? It is nice to have other sources / references.

island rider

Thanks for the information.

I appreciate you guys talking about making this and that, and low cost alternatives, but that's not where I am at. I currently use GU, stinger waffles and water. Post ride I use basic protein shakes. I am curious specifically about Hammer and what people use from them since they have so much stuff that seems very specifically tailored.

island rider

So you found that helpful? I think i like that idea.

ericm979

I like some of their stuff (HEED, Endurolytes) but Perpeteum does not taste good to me. Some people have a bad reaction to HEED. Their gels make me ill but it might be all gels that do it. They sell a bunch of other supplements, protein etc most of which you can get elsewhere cheaper. I like unflavored HEED.

They have their theories about nutrition. Not all of them are current. When you buy from them you get a lot of literature, some of which sounds like it's from the sort of people who believe in pyramid power.

By all means try doing it their way, but if it doesn't work don't keep doing it.

znomit

I do like Perpetuem but I get gassy on it after 7-8 hrs.

I'd suggest buying the small packets before investing in a tub. I tried heed and it doesn't agree with me at all.

soccerpig70

Heed. recoverite, gels, fizz, perpeteum, digest caps,bars. I really like their products, works great for me. My son however cant stand it, just doesnt like the taste. I figure thats better for me cost wise so he wont be into my stuff. +1 for talking with someone about your needs. Everytime I have called they have been extremely helpful and patient.

island rider

I've used their gels and HEED without any trouble, just not systematically, so there shouldn't be a big issue. No harm in getting a bunch of stuff to try out.

I find that when people are passionate about things that are supposed to be beneficial for you in some way other than adding to the size of your wallet, it can come off that way. Not sure why, but I've known it to be true. Not that it makes the observation an less real.

aham23

big fan of their Gels, espresso and mountain huckleberry, and Recoverite is a must for me. first time online orders can get 15% off using the link in my sig.

yes, i just did that. later.

zigmeister

Their gels are one of the only brands I dont have some allergic reaction too. Goodnstuff. Love the huckleberry ones. Those and water.

Heed strawberry is good stuff also. Their bars are clean as well. One of the better brands out there IMO for cleaner nutrition.

Nachoman

Cliff over hammer bars. Hammer over cliff gels.

fishymamba

Hammer bars seem to work wonders for me, but they don't taste too good and are 2.5x the price of clif bars.

p2templin

Interesting direction the responses have taken. You have my ritual as the first response, but I figure I should add some clarification to my routine:

1: I follow the Hammer plan of 16-28 ounces of water/hour, 240-280 calories/hour, balanced electrolytes. That's the basis for my routine.
2: I didn't like the taste of Perpetuem when mixed as an hourly bottle. To manage the number of baggies I had to prep, I decided to try it "double-strength", and that resulted in the four-scoop two-hour bottle. It tastes closer to a chocolate shake that way, though I sometimes add a half-scoop of HEED to boost the taste. If they had an Endurolyte FIZZ in a compatible flavor, I'd be jazzed. This also means I can do an eight-hour charity event with three bottles and two baggies (our tandem holds five, so if we can refill then I get three. Two get powder, one gets water, I add the water to the powder bottle at the start line, etc.)

TrojanHorse

I picked up some perpetuem pouches at my LBS last week and intend to try them on my next long ride... it seems like i can be pretty relaxed about the specifics of what I eat and drink on rides under 4 hours (usually clif bar or two and that low-sugar gatorade work great) but I'm trying to tweak my longer ride routines.

I tried recoverite a little while ago and it tasted like ground up strawberry flavored chalk. it's 2012, why does that stuff have to taste nasty?

Do you guys buy the big tubs and make your own portable refill pouches with a ziploc?

MOBikeCycle

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