I hate consuming gels. I do like gel blocks/gummies, but I’m thinking of trying carb powder in my drink. What’s the best type to use? Any recommendations? Can these do the same job as carb gels? Thanks.
I use maltodextrine powder mixed in water with a little salt and some flavouring. Look up maltodextrine in the search function, have been lots of posts on this previously.
We use Maltrin QD M500 in 50 lb bag. I believe it’s exactly the same as Carbopro but at a small fraction of the cost. That said, you might purchase a tub of Carbopro to experiment with. Soda Stream flavors are our current favorites to as a bit of yum to the mix but for years we used unsweetened Kool-aid.
Hugh
I’ve used matlodextrin mixed with water and OSMO and First endurance efs the last 3 seasons. Works really well for me and is dirt cheap. Like so cheap I got worried my coach was joking around with me when he told me to try it.
That’s right up my alley. How does it taste?
I use tailwind. It’s got nice taste without being too sweet. Can buy single serves if you want to just try it out.
It tastes like whatever you max it with really. And since I concentrate a bottle with electrolytes and calories the Malto take on whatever taste you add. I’ve mixed like 1000 calories in a bottle and using one of those shaker bottles I get no clumps so it’s thicker than a regular drink but no where near as thick as a gel.
Awesome!
Yeah, maltodextrin is good stuff. But be a little careful. I think I’ve put as much as ~1500 calories in a normal bike bottle before, with a little bit of gatorade powder for flavor. It works, but for me at least, it was hard to get the water right. You need to guzzle water when you take a shot of that stuff to keep the concentrations right in your body (that’s why, of course, all sports drinks have mixing/serving suggestions). I could never really get it right.
I actually think I’m going to try the other direction this season. A little light concentration sports drink for electrolytes, and then real food on the bikes, nuts, pretzels, maybe a turkey or PB sandwich, etc.
+1 for Tailwind. They do a good starter pack with a range of flavours.
I use tailwind. It’s got nice taste without being too sweet. Can buy single serves if you want to just try it out.Another Tailwind user.
I’ve switched to the ‘naked’ variety. Supposedly flavourless but isn’t quite. Used it for the Port of Tauranga Half last week along with gels every 45mins on the bike and 3 gels on the run.
Was perfect for me. I did need to get some plain water in as well.
One good thing about Tailwind is it has electrolytes in as well.
I use CarboPro with Skratch for electrolytes and flavor(raspberry for no-caffeine, matcha green tea w/ lemon for caffeine)
Love it and have never gotten GI issues from it - and it doesn’t taste terrible when it’s warm either.
I use Hammer Perpetuem. I love it. There’s a few flavors and one has caffeine. I usually mix the plain with the caffe latte so I get a little caffeine, but not the full dose.
If I feel like I need a little extra boost, I carry a couple gels or gummies, just in case. But usually, I find that I don’t need or want them.