Best tasting gels
Discussion
I've had the opportunity to sample a few different gels lately. I've not found any of the iso gel range particularly tasty, in fact some are plain nasty. On the other hand I've tried a couple of the powerbar range and they are much better. I don't feel as if I'm trying to swallow some man made product 
what's other peoples experiences on the matter? Are there any non gel products which really do the business? I've not made comment on their ability to provide energy as I can't really quantify it.
what's other peoples experiences on the matter? Are there any non gel products which really do the business? I've not made comment on their ability to provide energy as I can't really quantify it.
Jimbo. said:
They're all a little horrible. IME the Torq ones aren't *too* bad: reasonably close to their "Cherry yoghurt" claims, both in terms of consistency and taste.
Title of "Worst gel in the world" goes to High5. Jesus. I'd rather bonk out.
That's what I meant on the Iso. It's actually high5. Gross Title of "Worst gel in the world" goes to High5. Jesus. I'd rather bonk out.
Comfortably Dumb said:
Another vote for Torq. Went through 5 of they last Sunday 
Really? Where were you riding? Mars?SIS ones are ok. High5 less so.
Gels are functional fuel only in times of need. Otherwise eat proper food which tastes better and is nutritionally more complete than a bunch of carbs. IMO gels are for racing only when you get 10 seconds to stuff something down your throat.
Comfortably Dumb said:
Rocksteadyeddie said:
Really? Where were you riding? Mars?
Did the Cambridge Audax 200km, over 8 hours in the saddle. Rocksteadyeddie said:
Still don't get why you would chuck gut-rot-gels down your throat when a ham sarnie, or banana, or malt loaf would have served you better. It's easy enough to eat when you're just pottering along.
Fortunately they don't rot my gut. Guess we're all different but for me 145 miles at a rolling average of 18 mph wasn't 'pottering about'.I was riding with some much more experienced guys who weren't planning on stopping for long enough for me to take on all the fuel needed using normal food, so gels were the perfect solution for me.
Not sure what you guys are on about - I've got a box of the High5 iso citrus and and box of Orange and I find them perfect. The citrus is definitely better tasting but they both are quite easy to drink (don't need to chew them down like some) and also don't need much or any water to wash down.
I also think the High5 berry powerbars are excellent, quite tasty and not dry at all.
I'm normally pretty fussy about stuff like that
I also think the High5 berry powerbars are excellent, quite tasty and not dry at all.
I'm normally pretty fussy about stuff like that
Coming from a time when gels were only found in Jelly Babies, what are they equivalent to? A bunch of fast release carbs without the sugar of say a Mars bar?
Is there any noticeable effect? I never ride for more than a couple of hours anyway, would a gel give a useful injection of energy before a ride without the full tummy of something more bulky?
Basically, for me, is there any point?
Is there any noticeable effect? I never ride for more than a couple of hours anyway, would a gel give a useful injection of energy before a ride without the full tummy of something more bulky?
Basically, for me, is there any point?
burriana said:
Coming from a time when gels were only found in Jelly Babies, what are they equivalent to? A bunch of fast release carbs without the sugar of say a Mars bar?
Is there any noticeable effect? I never ride for more than a couple of hours anyway, would a gel give a useful injection of energy before a ride without the full tummy of something more bulky?
Basically, for me, is there any point?
Not for a couple of hours no. As I said above I think they are pointless for most people most of the time. But then that can equally be applied to the whole "sports" nutrition / supplements game. Is there any noticeable effect? I never ride for more than a couple of hours anyway, would a gel give a useful injection of energy before a ride without the full tummy of something more bulky?
Basically, for me, is there any point?
I was surprised just how much differences gels made.
When I started going out with the bunch of local quick blokes (ever see this thread? http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... ) I struggled and didn't do any gels or anything like that. My fuelling was part of (but not the whole) reason why I struggled.
The gels themselves reccomend every 20mins, though that seems way too much to me.
But typically after about 2 hours, maybe slightly less, I'll have one and then one every 30-45mins after that and you can really feel the difference.
In fact, I'll update that thread a little now
When I started going out with the bunch of local quick blokes (ever see this thread? http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... ) I struggled and didn't do any gels or anything like that. My fuelling was part of (but not the whole) reason why I struggled.
The gels themselves reccomend every 20mins, though that seems way too much to me.
But typically after about 2 hours, maybe slightly less, I'll have one and then one every 30-45mins after that and you can really feel the difference.
In fact, I'll update that thread a little now
burriana said:
Coming from a time when gels were only found in Jelly Babies, what are they equivalent to? A bunch of fast release carbs without the sugar of say a Mars bar?
Is there any noticeable effect? I never ride for more than a couple of hours anyway, would a gel give a useful injection of energy before a ride without the full tummy of something more bulky?
Basically, for me, is there any point?
I'm with you. Utter waste of money. Same effect from jelly babies and or a banana - depends how fast you want your carbs.Is there any noticeable effect? I never ride for more than a couple of hours anyway, would a gel give a useful injection of energy before a ride without the full tummy of something more bulky?
Basically, for me, is there any point?
rhinochopig said:
I'm with you. Utter waste of money. Same effect from jelly babies and or a banana - depends how fast you want your carbs.
They're more convenient to carry than a banana or sarnie.I tend to keep one in my mtb pack a "carb insurance" (best taken well before you bonk of course) and seldom use it but have definitely had times where it's been invaluable. They're easier than jelly babies or anything else - provided your guts can take them - purely because of the speed/volume of just squirting the stuff down your neck.
I tend to use zipvit stuff, purely because I work just around the corner from them.
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