superslomo

I also kind of dislike the idea that you need to buy the capsules they hawk just in order to get enough electrolytes. I use Gu2O for the electrolyte drink, which has a higher electrolyte content than HEED (240 mg sodium, 40 mg potassium per 16 oz. serving). I'd sort of like to be able to either have things completely separate (electrolytes/calories/fluids in completely different sources) or have a pretty much all-in-one solution (with additional water depending on the temperature.)

MIN 

Just throw some salt into your drinks and call it a day.

'nother

I used to do this, when I had tubs of HEED and realized I was not getting enough electrolytes. You probably also want to toss in some "salt substitute" (potassium chloride), and/or eat a banana.

Or, use a different brand of drink mix/gel that already provides them...

ldesfor1@ithaca

you can get endurolites as powder too and add it to heed/SE/perpetuem. or you can break open the capsules and dump in with the other powder.
I also enjoy their products and used about 8 servings of perpetuem on the 300k i did saturday. The concept of a "lactic acid buffer" sounds silly but i really felt no lactic acid build up and no cramping at all, even at the end of the ride. Plus, you can get propper nutrition in the rain with out wet gels/bars/sangwiches or much fuss. Very usefull on a dark rainy evening.
Expensive, but worth it to me.

Esspresso gel tasted great too to finish those last 3 miles with 50mg caffine.

lowracer1

I've used hammer products and e-caps for 4 years now with excellent results. The atp100 is great for a kick in the pants. I might use an atp100 tablet once every few weeks if I need to smoke everyone up a hill or get that final energizer bunny feeling for the last 20 minutes of a race.

Bill

I just got the same catalogue, and I purchased a pair of bibs and a jersey. They were relatively cheap. I hope that doesn't mean cheap quality.

DrPete 

I bought my first big can of plain-flavored HEED over the weekend... it was all the shop had left, but I figured I'd give it a shot. IT'S GREAT! The taste is VERY nice and clean, like plain water with just a touch of sweetness. Goes down easy like the other flavors of HEED. I think I have a new fave, though...

MIN 

How does it work?

banerjek

I cannot stand HEED nor have I ever had gels or energy bars that I wouldn't be totally sick of on a long ride.

However, I'm a huge fan of Perpetuem. I never get tired of it and the quality of the energy I get is fabulous. If it's hot, consume something extra with a bit of salt. Having said that, I only use it for longer rides (> 5 hrs).

blue_nose

I use Sustained Energy for some of my long distance events. I have a hard time digesting solids during long hard days on the saddle, especially when there is lots of climbing. Two scoops of powder per bottle and I get all the calories and liquids I need for an hour. Works great for me and I avoid any stomach maladies.

I use Gu for shorter races and events. However, once I starting hitting the four hour mark, Gu (or other Gels) don’t work for me as I start feeling hungry.

The only drawback I have with Sustained Energy is the taste. Your water bottle has a chalky taste.

DrPete 

There seems to be quite the sodium obsession on here. Why do you guys need all of this sodium?

backinthesaddle

I've gradually ramped into using almost all their products.

HEED is my sport drink of choice.
Perpeteum for longer rides, never get hungry.
Recoverite. I waver between that and ClifShot recovery.
Sustained Energy. Sometimes I use that in 1 bottle + HEED in another bottle.

The only ones I don't use much are Gel, the flask is too gooey messy for me (I prefer HEED), and Endurolytes, don't seem to do anything for me, maybe because I'm already using HEED and Perpeteum.

I've tried lots of the other brands, ditched everything except Hammer, Clif ShotBlox, and ClifShot Recovery.

El Diablo Rojo

Big fan, I use Recoverite, HEED, and Hammergel. I've found that they work well for me.

MIN 

ATP100 aka Energy Surge

Link

INGREDIENTS: (per tablet)
Magnesium (as Magnesium Glycerol Phosphate)10 mg
ATP (as Adenosine Triphosphate)100 mg.

I'm perplexed. How do you directly ingest ATP? I thought that was a celluar component in the mitochondria?

DrPete 

ATP doesn't get transported across cell membranes, IIRC. You can pay for it and eat it, but whether it ever gets to the tissue that needs it, i.e. muscle, is up in the air.

MIN 

Seems bogus. You'd have to eat it, then it enters the blood stream and then it may or may not cross the cell membrane. Nothing beats a line of meth for the last minute edge.

Skinny Fred

I've been using plain HEED for a month or two. Previously, I tried lemon-lime and orange, and used orange for a while. I have some orange left, but I think I'm converted. HEED tastes/feels starchy, but plain has very little other flavor.

I use Recoverite after every ride, reducing the amount for shorter rides. I feel much better than without, but I'm not convinced that it provides benefits beyond eating a hearty meal immediately.

I'm working my way through a Hammer Gel sampler (one packet of each flavor). Clear favorite is Apple-Cinnamon, but Orange and Espresso are also nice. I think Vanilla is disgusting.

I bought Endurolytes and Perpetuem as part of a starter pack two years ago, but I haven't had much use for them.

R900

The Best!

I like Heed, Endurolyte capsules, Perpetum. You can mix and match, make thick Perpetum shakes for long rides, whatever you need. Call and speak to Steve Born if you have any question, he is a wealth of knowledge, a multi RAAM finisher. The also sell a nice Hammer jersey by Voler for $35 bucks, if you are placing an order.

dekindy

Perpeteum is a great source of energy and has most, but not all the ingredients of the endurolyte capsules. Try some and see if you like it.

roadwarrior

https://www.hammernutrition.com

Cypress would love them...located in Whitefish, Montana.

I only have the catalogue, (I am normally using First Endurance products) and was wondering what you folks thought.

It seems to be similar in approach to Enervit in that it's a "system" versus buying a product. In other words, you use multiple products depending on your activity level.

I like the capsule/pill approach similar to Endurloytes. I used a similar system with Enervit and liked that as it saved putting drink mix into water bottles. On a longer rides, all you look for is a water fill-up and no need to carry more mix with you in a zip lock bag. I found that more convenient.

Interesting responses. And to the ones that commented on companies moving away from the gel flasks, I've heard that from other people too. Seems pretty dumb to move away from a product that people seem to like.

DrPete 

I think Cypress actually races for Hammer, IIRC.

backinthesaddle

Has anyone ever tried Liquid Endurance? I just got some Hammer promotional materials, but as much as I like their sport drinks and recovery items, I'm a little suspicious of this stuff.

terrymorse 

I know why I need plenty of sodium, and I have the Emergency Room bill to remind me in case I forget.

Hyponatremia sucks, feeling like the worst flu I'd ever had. Since my stint in the ER last year, I've been adding a pinch of salt to my bottles.

I've heard that on a hot day with strenuous exercise, you can deplete your body's stores of sodium in 4-5 hours. It took me 8 last June, on the hottest day of the year.

DrPete 

I guess if you're talking about a full day in the saddle it might become an issue, but for most people riding in sub-5-hour land, adding sodium is probably not necessary. Even on days like yours, I don't think hyponatremia is as common as people believe.

'nother

^^ I am pretty sure Terry is talking about a *FULL* day in the saddle!

155 miles and 13,500' right?