Gels

[Waynehans]

Guys, I went out to dischem and purchased an assortment of gels. Wanting to taste the best and worst. A lot of guys have said to use the Espresso gels as they have more of a kick.

 

Reading the detail on 4 different packs, they all are within 5kj of each other for a 40g gel pack (490 - 500kj). So it seems it is all down to taste, and not the energy content, and the espresso gel is exactly the same as peach, orange etc.

 

Is it then just personnel preference on these gels?? G32, USN, GU, Power Bar, All the same then?

[Wez-O]

I'm a Gu fan, but being an imported product, their prices are starting to go through the roof.

 

It does appear that locally produced gels may be the way to go... Add to the above list Cadence Nutrition.

[jcza]

Also have a look at carbs and caffeine

 

Personally I prefer USN Vooma with a Powerbar Double Latte now and again because the Vooma can be very sweet.

[SportySpice]

Hammer is also very good! Plus you can purchase it in bulk and decanter it into holder. Also then already add water to it

[dee_biker]

I used GU and other stuff for years, I read on the Hub about someone making their own honey and espresso mixes a couple of months back, and never looked back.

 

That is all I use now.

 

Get a couple of these small flasks from Pastics for Africa (or Dischem). Hammer also make some. 75% honey, 25% strong espresso. Mix, and keep in the fridge until required. Works like a charm!

 

You will save a lot of $$$.

[nonky]

I was also in Dischem yesterday looking for some energy bars...c'mon, how can they justify asking R25 to R40 for a SINGLE bar?

 

Even the dischem rep was at a loss for words.

 

In other words, I can buy 2 KILOGRAMMES of Woolies bananas (R28) for the price of a single bar...

 

In the end, I got some futurelife (same as the breakfast) bars for R10 each.

 

I think we are being screwed.

['Dale]

I use hammer with caeffeine

Not too sweet

Packs a punch

[GaryvdM]

I also came to the conclusion that they are all the same, and so I generally go for the cheapest, which I have found to be Biogen. I do get sick of the flavour though, and sometimes throw in a Gu for variation. (Loving the new salted caramel.)

[JGR]

Anyone tried this new flavor

 

http://www.guenergy.co.za/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=331:south-african-gu-flavours-a-possibility&Itemid=3

[ivr32]

Try this, also imported from the States

 

Accel Gel

 

All Natural Accel Gel is the top performing energy gel that increases endurance and reduces muscle damage. It is the only gel on the market that contains the patented 4:1 carb to protein formula proven to provide more energy, faster.

 

The Top Performing Energy Gel Just Got Better! Designed and scientifically-proven to deliver rapid energy to muscles. How? Patented 4:1 ratio of carbs to protein. Accel Gel gives you more bang 13% more vs. leading carbohydrate only gel, and 50% better muscle recovery so you can get back to your next adventure.

 

The superiority of Accel Gel over GU, the leading energy gel, was shown in a study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. James Madison University researchers found that Accel Gel offers significant advantages in improving endurance and significantly reducing post-exercise muscle damage.

 

Available in Strawberry Kiwi and Vanilla flavors

[Elvis]

I used GU and other stuff for years, I read on the Hub about someone making their own honey and espresso mixes a couple of months back, and never looked back.

 

That is all I use now.

 

Get a couple of these small flasks from Pastics for Africa (or Dischem). Hammer also make some. 75% honey, 25% strong espresso. Mix, and keep in the fridge until required. Works like a charm!

 

You will save a lot of $$$.

Is that it? Only honey and espresso? You just mix it and use it?

[Breezer]

I bought Biogen Cafe Latte at the Argus expo and was pleasantly surprised by the taste. USN now have a gel with whey protein that is very nice, but taste like old milk when it is hot.

[GaryvdM]

The superiority of Accel Gel over GU, the leading energy gel, was shown in a study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. James Madison University researchers found that Accel Gel offers significant advantages in improving endurance and significantly reducing post-exercise muscle damage.

 

journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/Abstract/2007/08000/Consumption_of_An_Oral_Carbohydrate_Protein_Gel.5.aspx

This seems to be the paper mentioned, but I'm not 100% sure. Can anyone confirm?

[Rapunzel]

wish cyclists would use bananas instead of gels - would leave far less mess on the trails

[ivr32]

journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/Abstract/2007/08000/Consumption_of_An_Oral_Carbohydrate_Protein_Gel.5.aspx

This seems to be the paper mentioned, but I'm not 100% sure. Can anyone confirm?

 

I am no chemist so I cant confirm anything, but they work for me and the taste is very good

[patches]

Gels are so last year!

 

This is where energy supliments are heading:

 

Cane Creek Debuts Energy Suppositories

 

 

 

Mar 31, 2014 at 17:07Mar 31, 2014

by Holly ColsonFollowFollowing

 

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April 1, 2014 - News has leaked from the offices of Cane Creek Cycling Components that they will push into the sports nutrition market. Cane Creek is known best for its standard-setting innovations like the threadless headset and Double Barrel family of shocks, and they are now ready to change the way cyclists feel about and interact with sports nutrition. Like other rule-breaking innovations, this change will likely meet with some resistance at first and many will be uncomfortable with it during the early stages of market penetration.

 

When probed about the new product, Holly Colson, Director of Marketing at Cane Creek stated, “We simply recognized a hole in the market and wanted to fill it. It may seem like a stretch for a components company to enter an entirely new product area, such as sports nutrition, but we are confident that SkinkSkat, the world’s first energy suppository, will be widely accepted.” SkinkSkat, a family of energy suppositories, are designed to gradually transfer nutritional calories to the rider during the length of their ride. Revolutionary SkinkSkat is also customized based on cycling discipline and tailored to fit the specific metabolic demands of each.

 

 

http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb10775302/p4pb10775302.jpg

 

http://es.pinkbike.org/240/sprt/i/bigquotes.png Necessity is the mother of invention. In the case of SkinkSkat, the concept was birthed during a group ride. Because of my tri-athletic bike handling skills, I'm uncomfortable riding in groups. I needed a way to pack in a lot of energy quickly without requiring the use of my hands. I can pound a SkinkSkat before a long ride to satisfy my energy demands in a safe and non-intrusive way. I think many other cyclists feel the same way, but won't admit it. - Josh Coaplen, Cane Creek R&D leader

 

Cane Creek developed SkinkSkat in conjunction with famed exercise physiologist and sports nutritionist Ben Dover, Ph.D., author of Butter Will Make You Fat. “Simple carbs ingested through the stomach can fuel muscles fast, but depending on your metabolism and the duration of your ride, you may not want to rely on your mouth alone,” Dover said. “This new system allows your metabolism to draw energy from at least two separate sources.” The sports suppository is designed to transfer nutritional benefits to the rider faster than any other product. As an added bonus, SkinkSkat leaves the body faster than its competition as well. Design Engineer and downhill racer Brandon Blakely said it can be difficult sometimes to get nutrients quickly enough, especially for racers who might struggle to choke down food in the nervous moments before an event. “We all use supplements, and our products are sophisticated. It was time to put those two together,” Blakley said. “We heard some athletes were sucking down sardines and Spam. That is just gross.” According to Malcolm Hadley, long time advocate of taking people out of their comfort zones, “We have done extensive market testing at charity rides. Once they try it, people are really into it.”

 

SkinkSkat are available online (discreet packaging of course) or through your favorite local bike shop.

 

www.canecreek.com