Energy gels.......

[Benthedoon]

.........worth it or not?
I've tried a couple of different gels because I've been given them as samples but I honestly don't know if they worked or not. Are some brands better than others? Do they actually help?

 

[black'n'yellow]

they're not a 'magic potion' if that's what you mean. There are plenty of 'real' foods which will do just as well...

 

[PpPete]

Torq Banoffee with Guarana & caffeine is great as an instant miracle cure if nearing the "bonk".
Apart from that, waste of time/money IMO.

 

[lulubel]

I think they have their place - in racing, if you're going all out and can't digest real food or, as PpPete said, as an emergency bonk cure. Other than that, they're just expensive.

I stick to real food.

 

[Benthedoon]

It would be an emergency top up, I tend to ride a big loop rather than A to B and I really don't like stopping, 'real food' I seem to struggle with when still pedalling, hopefully I eat enough of the right stuff before I go out so I don't feel the need for a top up while I'm out, however, I'm not getting it quite right in this heat.

 

[MattHB]

I like them for plain road riding. Powerbar do some concentrated fruit juice ones which are like rocket fuel (to me anyway). They're great and last for ages.

It's all very individual.

 

[Scruffmonster]

Gu Roctane is the answer.

I dont like Gels but those bad boys are insane. Ridonkulously expensive though. £2.50 EACH.

I run too and I'm of the firm opinion that gels work for running, if you're cycling, you can eat real food. Real food is fuel, in emergencies, gels will get you through.

 

[Peteaud]

Powerbar for me, but only if feeling the need.

 

[HLaB]

I usually just stick to Bananas and cereal bars and cafe stops and save the more expensive gels for when I'm interested in getting a good time, whether I'm right or wrong my theory is, if you use them all the time your body becomes used to them and the one time you actually need them their effect doesn't stand out.

 

[SteveBM]

I just started use high-5 gels and also one cal drink. Didn't really notice too much benefit until I started to pile on the miles and also during this weekends hot temperatures

 

[smutchin]

I usually carry a couple on long and/or hard rides for emergency use but I generally prefer real food (I am not a racer). Torq are my favourite brand, flavour wise.

They do hit the spot quite quickly, but then so do jelly babies.

d.

 

[Berties]

Having been readIng plenty of articles on sports sups etc lately I would agree with the mass they are a long ride emergency top up ,real food and rest in your week are equaly as important as any additional supps,Homemade loaded flapjack does the trick as a top up !and it's not like necking glue!

 

[MrJamie]

I found they worked for running longer distances, but that it was only a very quick burst of energy and fuelling properly in advance is much more important. I havent tried them for cycling, but unless you're racing and eating several of them on a ride id prefer to go for real food or just some jelly sweets. Keeping the free ones you get as emergency energy is probably a good idea

 

[DiddlyDodds]

Tried them , didn't feel any benefit, and just made me feel slightly sick.
Will work for some people and not for others .
I prefer a cpl of energy bars , some jelly babies and my home made butties when out for a long ride

 

[DiddlyDodds]

Oh , and a pork pie if i pass a pie shop