Energy Gels & Bars eetc...

Barcafan11

Can anybody advise which energy gels are good to use for cycling. Have tried the High 5 ones and they seem to be easy enough on the stomach compared to what I have heard about other brands.

Darkglasses

I've only tried SIS and Powerbar ones, and I way prefer SIS ones. Much more liquidy, I didn't like how thick the Powerbar ones were. The SIS ones I had were tropical flavour, which I found much more normal tasting the the Powerbar ones, which were Strawberry and Banana. Found they gave roughly an equal boost.

I also find SIS bars the tastiest out of the major brands of bar. Although I think USN bars are the most effective, USN's Pure Protein bars in Vanilla flavour are great IMO, but pretty expensive.

Not strictly energy bars, but very nutritious and tasty are NAKD bars. They're vegan and raw, no sugars or syrups. Wheat, dairy, and gluten free. You'll find them in Holland & Barrett, highly recommended.

Barcafan11

I tried a powerbar gel once and found it very heavy and it left an aftertaste. Had to drink about a half litre of water to get rid of the taste. Cycle superstore are selling race packs with about 20 pieces in them for a tenner, but just wanted to check if there are better ones out there before i bought one

Darkglasses

Yeah, I felt the same as you about the Powerbar gels. I found SIS ones much better, but those are the only two i've tried. Tesco stocks SIS stuff (or at least my local one does), so you can get one from there to see for yourself.

ednwireland

high 5 gels grand very light on the stomach

power bar gels ugh make me puke (almost)

kinetica gels (caffeine) ok a bit heavy

drinks
high 5 fine
isostar fine
kinetica wild berry flavour very odd smell

edit: clif gels grand if very thick
shot blocks are even better (but expensive unless you get an offer) but need water with then

seanin4711

good boost when your half way round on a long cycle!
taste good too!
they were buy one get one half price in holland and barrett a week ago!
http://www.hollandandbarrett.ie/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=4054&prodid=4757

Darkglasses

seanin4711 wrote: »

good boost when your half way round on a long cycle!
taste good too!
they were buy one get one half price in holland and barrett a week ago!
http://www.hollandandbarrett.ie/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=4054&prodid=4757

I actually had one of those today, they taste absolutely deadly *drool*

MediaMan

I think gels and bars are very much whatever works for you. Gels especially seem to provoke different reactions in people. Try a selection and go with whatever goes down easiest.

My current favourite gel is High5 IsoGel. I found the PowerBar ones very strong and unnatural flavoured. For bars, I like the PowerBar choclate coated ones and the High5 berry one.

Unfortunately, I haven't found one that will make me go as fast as I want yet.

Briando

None of you eating Cliff bars? I'm mad about them. I'm nearly at the stage now where I'll go out on my bike for a cycle so I've an excuse to eat a few. :pac:

smacl

I used to find torq bars (ginger) really tasty and did the trick. Recently, I've found that encouraging the kids to make flapjacks a far cheaper and more varied option. The main trick is to wrap them individually in clingfilm* before heading out, and ensuring there's plenty of dried fruit and honey in them to keep them stodgy.

*(the flapjacks, not the kids!)

Barcafan11

smacl wrote: »

I used to find torq bars (ginger) really tasty and did the trick. Recently, I've found that encouraging the kids to make flapjacks a far cheaper and more varied option. The main trick is to wrap them individually in clingfilm* before heading out, and ensuring there's plenty of dried fruit and honey in them to keep them stodgy.

*(the flapjacks, not the kids!)[/quote

Think I will go with the High5 stuff. Seem to be the most popular for lots of reasons. Thanks for all the help

bwalsh1983

I use the High5 4-in-1 powdered drink on two bottles for any ride over maybe 40k, two in races generally.

I'm having issues with gels though, the high5 seem too watery, just got some powerbar ones yesterday and was going to try them this weekend but bit worried after reading the comments here. They have a handy valve that means the one that contain two gels can be used once, put back in the jersey, and then finished later in the ride. Squeezy nutrition do a handy little mini waterbottle as such meaning no fiddling with ripping ope packaging etc etc.

what solid food, if any, do people consume here when racing?

Salmonman

I always carry a few fig rolls or Jaffa cakes,seem to do the job

ednwireland

bwalsh1983 wrote: »

I use the High5 4-in-1 powdered drink on two bottles for any ride over maybe 40k, two in races generally.

I'm having issues with gels though, the high5 seem too watery, just got some powerbar ones yesterday and was going to try them this weekend but bit worried after reading the comments here. They have a handy valve that means the one that contain two gels can be used once, put back in the jersey, and then finished later in the ride. Squeezy nutrition do a handy little mini waterbottle as such meaning no fiddling with ripping ope packaging etc etc.

what solid food, if any, do people consume here when racing?

try clif bar shot blocks http://www.wiggle.co.uk/clif-bar-shot-bloks-18-x-60g/
or a peice of nice artisan bakery french bread wrapped in foil (usually have that in there for very long rides)
try the clif bar meusli bars (if you can take the soya in them )
not crumbly muesli bars (ie not nature valley)

carltonleon

For me the best ones are the Kinecta ones (non caffeine).
I found the High 5 upset my stomach but the kinecta ones were very light.

You can get them in Elverys

Enduro

Barcafan11 wrote: »

Can anybody advise which energy gels are good to use for cycling. Have tried the High 5 ones and they seem to be easy enough on the stomach compared to what I have heard about other brands.

The best to use are none. They're overpriced sugary junk. If you use them in training then you'll be teaching your system to have a dependency on them.

Ole Rodrigo

Apart from convenient size and weight, I could never see the point in choosing gels over fruit or other wholefoods ( at a recreational/ amateur level anyway ). I'm sure many of the pros would privately say the similar if there weren't any sponsorship implications.


Or just make your own bars

bwalsh1983

ror_74 wrote: »

Apart from convenient size and weight, I could never see the point in choosing gels over fruit or other wholefoods ( at a recreational/ amateur level anyway ). I'm sure many of the pros would privately say the similar if there weren't any sponsorship implications.


Or just make your own bars

I have been making the classic anzac biscuits recipe lately and adding in various types of nuts and dried fruit, just have to make them a little more moist for the bike I think and they should do the trick.

Darkglasses

Enduro wrote: »

The best to use are none. They're overpriced sugary junk. If you use them in training then you'll be teaching your system to have a dependency on them.

I'm guessing you don't approve of a mid-ride ice-cream either.

Enduro

Darkglasses wrote: »

I'm guessing you don't approve of a mid-ride ice-cream either.

well, emmm,..... that would be an ecumenical matter

Peterx

Enduro wrote: »

well, emmm,..... that would be an ecumenical matter

I thought it was a McDonalds?

Ole Rodrigo

Darkglasses wrote: »

I'm guessing you don't approve of a mid-ride ice-cream either.

:pac: