Best tasting energy gel?

I used one for the first time today.

I was both very impressed with the effect and very disgusted with the taste (SIS Berry).

Almost instantaneous energy boost which helped me out of the hole I was in.

I’ve found the new Torq jellies pretty good – not too chewy, dissolve fast and the same impact as a gel.  The cynic in me shows the same carb grams as the cheaper Jelly Babies, albeit Torq are a Maltro/Fructo combo – fructose seems to work better for me – whereas Jelly Babies are only glucose.

One for variety on long rides and events methinks.

Genuine Q – why do people use energy gels?

A mate who used to win 24-hour solo mtb races and do stupid FKT long-distance route things found they were the only thing his gut would tolerate on a sustained basis. I have vague memories of Rickie Cotter saying she did the same for similar reasons, it sounded less than glamorous.

I occasionally use one as a ‘break glass in case of emergency’ measure if I’ve screwed up fuelling on a big day ride.

Fwiw, read the ingredients lists some time, lots of artificial sweeteners, emulsifiers, preservatives etc, which may or may not bother you. SIS seems quite bad for this, Torq somewhat better. I get that people’s tolerance for such things is variable, particularly in performance mode, but if nothing else, a fair few artificial sweeteners list laxative qualities as side-effects, so smashing a load of them may not be that great an idea, ymmv.

I’ll tell one that isn’t – bacon & maple syrup – I was given that as a sample a long while ago and it’s rattled around in my “goodies” box for longer than necessary. I took it with me on a hill run – got to the top, squeezed the contents in my mouth and it tasted like licking an ashtray!

Another vote here for rhubard and custard Torq

Most definitely NOT Maurten they are rank

Have used Torq in the past and liked them. Tried Veloforte and found them to be good too, more ‘natural’ tasting. Chews were nice too.

Anyone tried the KMC / Kendal Mint Co gels?

Had adverts for these recently, quite like the look of their ‘refillable pouch’ system.

Links for the STW kickbacks:

KMC NRG GEL+ Energy Gel Refill Pouch Citrus & Mint Caffeine (10 x 70g Serves)

Action Pack – Find Your Fuel (Free UK Delivery)

I’m OK enough with the SIS Variety packs, I can stomach all of the flavours but I prefer the citrusy ones (orang, grapefruit, etc).

Like others I tend not to use them for all day rides and take them only as emergency bonk prevention or for races where I’m piss poor at managing nutrition TBH…

Genuine Q – why do people use energy gels?

Emergency use only, I probably use about 5 in a year. Torq the least worst IME.

For all other times I stop for proper food.

GU Salted Caramel Energy Gel for me has a shot of caffeine too which gives it slightly bitter liquorice taste but I like it. I use sparingly as 20mg is a lot of caffeine plus £2 a pop on their web site (a bit cheaper at GoOutdoors) looks like they have other caffeinated flavours too I will have to try.

They were giving away Precision Fuel gels at the Gritfest foodstop. Absolutely superb, tasted good and worked as described but I’m too tight to pay for them myself now ?