WISCONS1N

I would really like to save money and buy hammer gel in a big bottle and use the flask. How easily does it come out, and how much of a mess does it make. It seems like I have to squeeze it out of the single serving packs.

rpeterson

The stuff in the big bottle is much less viscous than single serving gels, comes out nice and easy, no mess unless you're an idiot.

garciawork

Its the only way to go IMO. I stopped using gels recently, but before that I had a flask mounted to my seat tube, even upside down there was no mess.

mpath

I use the squeeze bottle precisely for less mess as unlike the pros, can't chuck the single packs to the side of the road; sticking it back into your jersey pocket can make a sticky mess. The only issue with the squeeze bottle is when your running low and you gotta shake it like Heinz ketchup to get the remaining gel.

hhnngg1

Have said it before, but the best way to save money if you're riding enough to need extra calories on the ride on a regular basis, is to buy bulk maltodextrin and put 1 cup per bottle approximately.

It's the active ingredient in gels, which are 95+% maltodextrin, so it's the same stuff. Comes $60 shipped for 60 lbs from Honeyville grain. Store in paint buckets. That amount will last you 2 years of serious riding with heavy use every week. No need to mess with gels, gel flasks, or other stuff.

In comparison, Perpetuem is $60 for 4 pounds (yet is largely maltodextrin.)

Do a google search on it - it might sounds 'weird' but it was THE go-to drink before commercialism realized they could add flavoring, get sports stars to drink it, and sell it for 20-40x the cost of making it. Pros used it all the time before they now get paid to drink certain drinks.

tcwayne

Flask is the only way.

Roadfrog

If you want maltodextrin, you can buy a more reasonable amount (5 # or less) at Sam's.

One thing usually overlooked about gels is that the more you get on your skin, the more it soaks into your body thus providing you with more energy and if you get enough on you, you ride faster to get away from the flies trying to get all over you....somebody told me that.....

M_Wales

+1

nkfrench 

The flask works great for me, much better than the foil packs that cut my lips.
Add a little water when the small flask starts getting low towards the end of a ride.
That last bit from the large bottle can be diluted with water and go into your oatmeal or hot tea.
I like that you can squeeze out just how much you want not just the standard foil pack size serving.
The flask comes with a clear top cover, it stays in a kitchen cabinet somewhere. Not needed, the squirt top doesn't seem to leak or open unintentionally.

RacerOne

Flask

Camilo

Yea, gels are mostly sugar, but they have electrolytes too.

FWIW, I almost exclusively use flasks. If I have individual gels, I put them into a little flask, mix about 1/2:1/2 with warm water, mix it up. It's (a) much easier to consume (b) doesn't require dealing withh a sticky pack on the road and (c) you can put 3-5 gels in a single small flask.

mpath

Awesome. Where to buy?

fishymamba

After using both the flask and normal packets, I actually kind of like the single serving packets better, unless you have a couple flasks you can use with different flavors of gel. I am not even halfway done with the Hammer chocolate flavor jug and I am sick of it, I usually get some single gels to go with it on rides.

On the positive side: less waste, cheaper(sometimes), easier to use.

fishymamba

https://www.amazon.com/Hydrapak-Plast...d_sim_sbs_sg_1

I kinda want to try one......

can you take it apart to clean the insides/valve?

jesspal

I prefer single packs. Just grab Em and go, no fussing with bottles. I do keep empty packets in empty pocket and it does get messy.

topflightpro

Single Serve.

I find I tire of the single flavor long before I finish it.

Plus, the flasks are kind of bulky, and you have to carry that bulk for an entire ride. With the single serve, at least your pockets get lighter as the ride goes on.

Finally, I find the flask and gel get kind of nasty after awhile.

pihb

Flask mixed with a bit off water to dilute so the syrup isn't so thick and helps to wash it down. Rinse bottle and repeat. No trash to litter the side of the road our to stuff in cycling gear.

2005trek1200

I use the flask on long training rides, but for races i pack single serves so i dont have to think about it much on the bike

yrodriguez317

this is the way its done!

mpath

Thanks!

pihb

Try Raspberry and Mountain Berry. Both are very good and the flavor doesn't get old.

Camilo

Another thing you can do is fold it up and just slip it under the leg of your shorts. Sure, it might get the shorts and your thigh a little sticky, but (1), the stickyness is totally isolated and wont' get on anything else and (2), you just take a shower and throw your shorts in the laundry anyway, no muss, no fuss.

fishymamba

Thanks for the tip, I am going to get all the flavors in the single serve packs and see which one I like the best. I have tried the Montana Huckleberry and I liked it.

I ended up ordering the GelBot. Got it today, going to try it during a century tomorrow.