Best value Gel?

Nutrition
63

Funny seeing everyone’s differing opinions on these flavors. I’ve ended up always going with Cherry; despite not usually liking cherry flavored things, the SiS gels remind me of a freezy pop or whatever you call those things so I get some carbs and bonus hit if childlike nostalgia to keep me fueled!

I wanted to try some caffienated gels so I bought the SiS citrus ones… I think bonking might actually be better.

64

So, this might be cheating the no DIY gels rule, but do you do DIY drink mix at all? Personally I find that a lot easier/less daunting then making my own gels; and I usually mix my bottles such that I only need one gel, etc. per hour since most the carbs are in the bottle.

I guess what I’m getting at is that maybe getting more carbs from your bottle and less from gels could end up saving you some $, especially if you try DIY drink mix?

2 Likes
65

I do this.

Table sugar and salt in bottles (no flavouring, I like the taste of raw sweet speed), and I’ll take one gel per hour to top up carbs and sodium (I use Powerbar gels which are quite high sodium and have an anti-littering retainer for the top).

Advantages

  • I can use caffeine gels at appropriate intervals, like 20 minutes before a big climb, or 20 minutes before T2 in Olympic distance triathlons.
  • I can balance carb concentration in bottles depending on temperature and plan to have more or fewer gels in consequence
  • makes any gel better value because I’m using fewer
  • less time trying to get them open whilst trying to race on sketchy offroad trails (I’m not a great bike handler… all trails are sketchy)
1 Like