attaching Gu to your bike

From this website -
http://www.guenergy.com/products/gu-energy-gel/how-to-gu_show-me-how

• Individual gel packets can also be stored in a bento box style carrier, popular in triathlon racing.
• Another trick from the triathlon pros is to tape gel packets along your bike’s top tube. Only tape down the tear-off top tab; when you’re ready to consume just grab a GU and the top will stay in place, your packet perfectly opened and ready to eat.

I've done the 2nd bullet point in both IM.  I've used black electrician's tape to secure.
I haven't taken photos, but I have seen some in various blogs.
Maybe do a Search for "Taping GU" or something similar in the Triathlon Talk forum section.

Strip of electrical tape (that peels off cleanly, duct tape won't) right over the top of the pack, and that goes on your top-tube.

When you want a gel, just grab the body and peel it off your frame - the taped top stays attached, and now you gel is open and to eat.

Pic I found on Google for reference:



Please - for the love of all things holy - just do one or two (maybe 3 at most) gel packs using this method (i.e. for an oly or HIM).  If you need more gel than that for a race, then use a flask - there are flask mounts available for your top tube or stem, or (like me) just stick it in your jersey pocket.

I always much prefer the flask - it's just much cleaner - no inadvertent squirts & messes that are common with taping the individual gel packs, and then I don't have to worry about what to do with the empty gel packs (littering is not allowed on courses).

Please don't be "one of those" people who line up 4,5, 6,7,8+ gel packs all down your top-tube.  I cringe every time I see that, and it's inevitably at a sprint or oly race.

Cheers, Chris



Edited by Hydro 2010-09-27 10:11 AM

I may need to post a pic if this doesn't make much sense, but I did not like the idea of putting tape all over my frame, so I use a different method.  I took some rubber bands and put them over my aero's.  I then tear the tops of the gu off prior to the race and put the front end of the gu under the rubber band on the top of the aero.  This has worked great for me.  This way the packs are already open, no tearing or tugging while riding, they come out easy, and it doesn't mess up your ride. 

I love that video! 

Those Powerbar chunks crack me up - I saw one chick out on the IMWI bike course with layers (yes, layers!) of powerbar pieces all down the full length of her top-tube. 

It was disgusting - it had all melted into one big glob on her bike...  She was attempting to peel off a chunk as I passed her, and nearly crashed her bike trying to wrench it free.  What a mess!

WTF are these people thinking?!?

Cheers, Chris

DO NOT tape the brake and/or shift cables down.

Oh yeah, and take it from me.  WIPE DOWN YOUR TOP TUBE after you're done using your gels. Even check if you're using a Bento Box.   I stupidly didn't do it, and didn't realize that I leaked a small amount of gel from my bento box and it got on my top tube, it corroded a small area of paint on my bike.  I was PO'd. :-(  Apparently, the sugars from the gels do that.  Am I right?


I had a flask, and it took FOREVER to get some of the gel out.  Are you supposed to mix it with a little water to give a thinner consistency? This was the first time that I used it. Luckily it was a sprint race, so I didn't care too much for the nutrition. I can handle a sprint race without "eating" anything. 

You may need to water down the gel a little if it's really thick.  I buy the Hammer gel in bulk, and that's thin enough that I can use it as-is in a flask.

Cheaper, cleaner, and easier (for me) to use = win!

Cheers, Chris

Easier to get off your frame afterwards than duct tape, IMO...

x2 on gel flasks, thin with water if necessary. No more mess. I recently switched over to flasks from packets, and will never go back. Takes a little prep time, but is so worth it.

X3. Big fan of the gel flask.... I don't always want a whole packet's worth of gel in one go - having it in a flask allows me to avoid having messy "left-overs". All in all, I just find it easier and less of a pain to deal with.

Meh.  Personally, I cringe when I see people with jersey pockets stuffed full of stuff on tri bike courses as if they're on a long group ride with a bunch of elitist seasoned roadies who think saddle bags are redundant.  And of course it's so much more time efficient to shove flasks and whatever else into pockets in T1 as opposed to already having them on your bike before the swim.

Actually, I try not to waste time and energy "cringing" at what other people choose to do on the course.

the only problem is IF you lose your gel flask, you're out of gel.  Gel packets give you protection against that.

Loved the video... but I had to laugh at the narrator for making fun of a steel 3Rensho (~2:38). That is a real classic and it appeared to be in great shape.

Edited by TaylorB 2010-09-27 2:50 PM

"Oh, the irony!" 

Thanks for the laugh, bro.

Your very truly,
Chris Elitist Guy

How do you store this gel flask on the bike?  Or do you just stick it in a jersey pocket? 

I place them under my tri shorts on top of my quad. I did this for the Half that I completed earlier this year. The elastic band on the tri shorts kept them in place. I didn't notice they were there. Worked out pretty well.

There are flask "cages" like this that you can attach to your top tube or stem - they work well.  I've found it's just easier for me to keep mine in my pocket -rock whichever way works best for you.

Cheers, Chris

Mine usually just goes in my bento box on the bike. I also have a little gel flask holster that can clip on to a race belt, hydration belt, etc. so I can use it when I run as well.

Hey, it's a rolling aid station!

If that rolled past me I'd either be laughing or asking for a snack!  (And crying inside for all that weight to be able to pass me too...)

-eric