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2008-08-14 7:13 PM
in reply to: #1603715

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Master
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Riverside, IL
Subject: RE: Need input on various gels
Of the Hammer gels, I like the Banana flavor the best...tastes like a mashed up banana. Of the Powerbar gels, the only one I've liked so far has been Vanilla...tastes like cake icing. I haven't tried any of the chocolate flavored gels yet...seems like lots of folks like those. I'll have to give one a try. I can also tolerate the Honey Stingers (Gold flavor, which I think is just regular honey) fairly well. They're a lot sweeter than some of the others, but they sit well in my tummy. I do have to give BIG props to the Honey Stinger energy bar in the Peanut Butter & Honey flavor...hands down, it's one of THE BEST tasting bars I've ever tried, and I'm pretty picky. I've also been liking the new Powerbar Gel Blasts. I've only tried the lemon flavored ones, but I keep hearing the Kona Cola flavor is great, too. Honestly, I pretty much have tried and liked all of the gummy-type stuff out there, including Clif Shot Bloks, Luna Moons, Sport Beans, Sharkies, and the Powerbar Gel Blasts. They're all good, IMO.

Edited by nscrbug 2008-08-14 7:14 PM


2008-08-14 7:36 PM
in reply to: #1603715

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Expert
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Wellington, North Island
Subject: RE: Need input on various gels
I do Gu as well. Everything else didn't sit well with my stomach. I'm really picky about flavor when I'm training for some reason so I stick to Just Plain or Vanilla.

I've never had a problem taking them before, but with IM training I've consumed so many of them I think my body has had enough. I find myself forcing them down on my long runs because I know I need them. I'll be glad to place them out of sight and out of mind for awhile when the race is over.
2008-08-14 8:00 PM
in reply to: #1603715

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Master
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Riverside, IL
Subject: RE: Need input on various gels
Just curious...what do the "plain" flavored gels taste like? Is there any sweetness at all in them? Or is it liking sucking down...glue (for lack of a better word)?
2008-08-14 8:29 PM
in reply to: #1603715

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Expert
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Wellington, North Island
Subject: RE: Need input on various gels
I'm not sure how to describe it. It's a little sweet, but not nearly as over the top sweet as most other gels. For me the fruit ones taste like a shot of jelly, the chocolate tastes like a shot of fudge, and the vanilla tastes like a shot of frosting to give you the perspective of my tastebuds. The Just Plain as a much kinder, gentler version of the vanilla is probably the best way to describe it, but even that doesn't quite get at it. It tastes like some sweetness, and that's it really.
2008-08-14 8:58 PM
in reply to: #1603715

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Subject: RE: Need input on various gels

As far as I'm concerned, they're all disgusting.  It isn't a stomach thing for me -- my stomach is pretty strong (a couple of months ago, I did a long run on a full stomach of raw horse meat...).  I just think that they all taste gross, and I mostly avoid them.  When I do decide to take some, I find GU to have the highest effective/disgusting ratio, so that's what I use.

 

2008-08-15 6:55 AM
in reply to: #1603715

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Need input on various gels
Orange Vanilla CarbBOOM! for me. Unfortunately when I placed my last order I meant to order a mixed box and two bottles of orange vanilla, but turns out all I ordered was orange vanilla. I have enough to last the year... Just hoping I do not get sick of it.


2008-08-15 7:01 AM
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Champion
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Checkin' out the podium girls
Subject: RE: Need input on various gels
I'm not a faun of the GU products I've tried. The gels are a bit chewey and more dense than I prefer. Also, the chocolate is way too much when your overheated.

GU2O is the Coor's Light of sports drink. Absolutely no flavor, you know it's supposed to taste like something, yet disappoints in a dramatic fashion. "Like making love in a canoe" if you know that expression.

I prefer Clif gels. I started since they have been a previous sponsor and stick with them. Strawberry with caffeine of Raspberry w/o. Those work for me. Blocks, not so much. I find chewing and transferring them to be a PIA especially on the bike when you want to get back to what you were doing instead of trying to eat.

For drinks, I like Accelerade. A whole new thread on what's good / bad about that, but again, it workss for me.

GI distress: Fig Newtons, grapes (YIKES!), Gatorade in excess will all get me.

BTW: Zantac before racing is a great preventative measure.
2008-08-15 8:27 AM
in reply to: #1603715

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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: Need input on various gels
I usually do the Powergel Tangerine (double caffeine), or the Black Cherry Cliff's Shot Blocks (also w/caffeine.)  I'm a little bit of a caffeine junkie though. 
2008-08-15 8:30 AM
in reply to: #1604902

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Runner
Subject: RE: Need input on various gels

nscrbug - 2008-08-14 9:00 PM Just curious...what do the "plain" flavored gels taste like? Is there any sweetness at all in them? Or is it liking sucking down...glue (for lack of a better word)?

It's like sucking down snot, in my opinion.  I tried it once, thinking it would avoid the sickeningly sweet taste, but it was actually worse in other ways. 

2008-08-15 9:42 AM
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Subject: RE: Need input on various gels
I like the Cranksports e-gels best.  More calories and electrolytes than other gels and never had any GI issues with them.
2008-08-15 10:16 AM
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Master
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Olney, MD
Subject: RE: Need input on various gels

I think all gels taste nasty especially when they get heated up.. ugh.  I've been using Clif Shots since they'll have them at the marathon I'm training for, but so far I only "like" one flavor and I'm not planning on being picky at the aid stations   I've used gummy bears and they worked just fine, but they were difficult to chew and swallow.  PowerGels aren't as thick as the Clif Shots, but still warm goo... yuck!

I'm still searching for something that doesn't taste too bad when it warms up.  My stomach has been OK with everything I've tried so far.



2008-08-15 10:18 AM
in reply to: #1605570


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Subject: RE: Need input on various gels
Scout7 - 2008-08-15 8:30 AM
It's like sucking down snot, in my opinion.  I tried it once, thinking it would avoid the sickeningly sweet taste, but it was actually worse in other ways. 



Ew. I've been thinking about using gels and was excited about trying some of these flavors after reading this thread, but now if I ever try one this will be all I can think of.
2008-08-15 5:57 PM
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Subject: RE: Need input on various gels
I like the packaging of Clifshot Gels because if the patented "litter leash", so when you tear it open you don't have yet another piece of sticky plastic to stow somewhere. I bugs me to no end that people litter with gels.

But recently I have been using Hammer Gel from the jug and carrying it in a gel flask. I like the way hammer gels taste, I haven't experienced any GI issues with them like I did with Clif shots after about the sixth one. Another benefit with the flask you can dilute them down to the prefered consistency. I like them to be thin and easy to suck down fast when I'm running. No sticky packaging in your pockets either.
2008-08-15 6:49 PM
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Regular
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Charlottesville, VA
Subject: RE: Need input on various gels

I like vanilla flavor Gu.  The best advise is find a flavor your like not only at the start of the event, but also tastes good two hours into it. 

On a side note: a friend of mine had a chocolate flavored gel pack that she tried to eat on the bike portion of her last tri.  After ripping it open and trying to gulp it down it dripped all over her leg.  It didn't make for a good photo finish.

2008-08-15 7:40 PM
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Veteran
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Calgary, Alberta
Subject: RE: Need input on various gels
I have a pretty fussy stomach, and haven't had much success with gels in the past. Then my coach, and a few others, recommended using gels that contain maltodextrin as the primary carb source, and its like night and day!! Hammer Gels...I prefer Rasp or Orange.
2008-08-16 4:00 PM
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Memphis, TN
Subject: RE: Need input on various gels
Power Gel caramel.  Taste just like the square caramel candies in the clear wrappers.


2008-08-16 4:23 PM
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Edited by mixie 2008-08-16 4:24 PM
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