Cytomax is the quintessential energy drink. It works great for both on the bike endurance and post-ride recovery. Available in multiple sizes and flavors.
Submitted by
Austin
a Weekend Warrior
from Ogden, Utah, USA Date Reviewed: September 5, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Ben Lomond
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Vitamin World
Strengths:
Energy Boosts that last a while
Weaknesses:
The worst stomach problems if you catch my drift
Similar Products Used:
Black Powder. A million times better. try the blue raspberry it works better and you don't have to use a million rolls of toilet paper
Bike Setup:
2005 Trek Fuel Disc
Bottom Line:
Use black Powder instead
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Goldstar78i
a Cross Country Rider
from Westfield MA Date Reviewed: April 5, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Gville
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
New England Bicycle
Strengths:
Tastes good
does indeed help on longer/harder rides (maybe psychological but I don't care)
Weaknesses:
cost
Similar Products Used:
Gu, Gatorade, accelerade
Bike Setup:
07 Sinister Ridge, 09 Specialized Allez
Bottom Line:
I haven't ever used this product during mountain rides (I usually just tough those out and don't drink or eat much) but I have used this stuff on 80 and 100 mile road rides. Let me say this: whether the percieved energy is a placebo or not, this stuff tastes so good I honestly cannot wait to drink it. I carried about 2-3 packets of it on my century ride, and it was the only thing easily stomachable with a 18.4 mph 2 person average in the hills of the berkshires. The citrus flavors are the best. Just buy a can of it and thank me later, but be friends with the LBS cause it costs a bundle.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rod Munch
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Rosa, CA Date Reviewed: April 14, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Lawndale
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$22.00
Purchased At:
NorCal Bike Sport
Strengths:
Seems to do what it says- fights lactic acid buildup in the legs, lets you ride longer without hitting a wall
Weaknesses:
Affects some peoples' stomach, I don't have any problem with it. Not really a "fuel" with 90 calories/serving. Comes in a Big Plastic Jug now that's only 1/2 full.... give me a break!
Similar Products Used:
Accelerade (awful taste, I can't drink it), Gatorade (more of a "pop" drink now) Elite Complete (tastes like old/original Gatorade, more salt and less corn syrup), Enervit R2 (I likey)
Bike Setup:
Hammerhead 100X with Fox F100RLC, Propedal shock, Magura Martas and XC Pro wheels, XTR, XT, Sette and Race face bits
Bottom Line:
Maybe its all mental, but Cytomax seems to work for me. Instead of hitting a wall, Cytomax allows me to keep hammering even after I'm severely fatigued. The better shape I'm in, the less I need the lactic acid buffering, but Cytomax always allows me to exert more, for longer.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a
from Monterey Date Reviewed: March 5, 2008
Favorite Trail:
The long one
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$30.00
Strengths:
meh. I supposse if you can bear to drink it, it would help.
Weaknesses:
BLEH. Go-go grape should be discontinued. Like everyone else it is easy to get stomach problems with it. I don't know what causes it, but be warned.
Similar Products Used:
Accelerade, Gatorade, G2 baby (taste like cough syrup).
Bottom Line:
Meh, At Sea Otter when I first tried it with muscle milk I thought cytomax was THE BEST formula/company, but after buying the 82 serving jar of go-go grape, it's sickening. I haven't even gone through 3 scoops before I realized how awful the taste is. The silky texture of the water was enough, but when the either bland (less powder), or strong (more powder) of that awful chemical grape taste touched my tongue I instantly went back to gatorade. I haven't actually tested to see if it improves endurance and such because I can't stomach it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Marc
a Cross Country Rider
from Canton, Georgia Date Reviewed: August 9, 2007
At first I was sold on this stuff. The flavor made it easier to drink, and I foolishly thought that the added carbs would help me ride harder/longer. This might be true for some, but for me it only made my stomch turn. To be fair I have stomach problems to begin with but this stuff made me nauseated. I was begining to think that i needed to change my eating time before riding 'till i figured out that the cytomax was causing my problems.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Sweum
a Racer
from Sioux city,Iowa Date Reviewed: May 11, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Stone Park
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
GNC
Strengths:
Tangy oarnge tastes good,works quickly,fairly affordable,does what it says.
Weaknesses:
Takes some serious shaking to mix up.Other than that not really anything.
Similar Products Used:
Nearly everything
Bike Setup:
F600 cannondale with all the goodies
Bottom Line:
I ride mostly trails and the stuff does it's job.Feel like I have an edge over just water drinking racers. Good stuff,love it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: February 11, 2007
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$46.00
Purchased At:
Healthy's - Scarborough Town Centre
Similar Products Used:
Gatorade Powder, Gatorade Liquid, Red Bull, Horse Power.
Bike Setup:
2001 Trek Fuel 90 Disk
Bottom Line:
UPDATE for my review dated 8/6/2005 - The Green tin is Tropical Fruit flavour & the Pink tin is Pink Lemonade flavour (tastes like bubble gum to me). They were in stock at Healthy's in both the 1.5lb & 4.5lb sizes till the end of 2005. By April 2006 when I went back hoping to find 1 or 2 (4.5lb) tins in the Purple Go Grape flavour I was told that it's no longer manufactured under that brand name and that they don't carry it. I've since opted to go with using Gatorade Fierce Grape liquid 950mL (using a 1/2 bottles worth + water) or 1.9L (using a 1/4 bottles worth + water). Bottom Line: I now use Gatorade (Fierce Grape) filled water bottles and drinking water from public parks while saving me $46-$92/year.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Peoria, IL USA Date Reviewed: August 4, 2006
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
Performance.com
Strengths:
Works for me as advertised.
Weaknesses:
Doesn't mix well. Artificial sweeteners.
Similar Products Used:
Gatorade, Accelerade, Endurox.
Bike Setup:
Cannondale F1000 XC
Bottom Line:
I have always seemed to ride much better when I use Cytomax as opposed to not using it. I don't notice the bloating mentioned by some others...probably due to the 12 or so Bud Lights I usually have the night before a ride. I did like the old version of this stuff better. It seemed more effective and not as sugary. I have not used Endurox or Accelerade for an extended duration so a comparison is difficult to make against Cytomax. I think, after reading some of the posts here, that I might give one of the other products a shot for a while and see how it goes. I never had a problem with the taste of Cytomax but it can be rough on the stomach occasionally. I would still recommend it since I've always felt like I benefited from using it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kelly
a
from Ohio Date Reviewed: June 30, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$18.00
Purchased At:
vitamin world
Strengths:
I didn't have to order it online
Weaknesses:
It was like eating a spoonful of tang. Way too sweet for my taste. Not at all refreshing. Couldn't drink enough to reap any benefits.
Similar Products Used:
Clif shot electrolyte which I love.
Bottom Line:
The only good thing was that I could go pick it up on the corner. If you want something that is going to all around make you feel amazing try Clif shot electrolyte. It taste great and it's organic. Who wants all kinds of crazy chemicals floating around in you all day anyway.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: August 6, 2005
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$46.00
Purchased At:
Healthy's (Scarborough Town Centre)
Strengths:
I love this product and have been using it since 2001 for jogging, cycling and ice skating. I like the taste (go grape flavour), ease of use and large 4.5lb tin it comes in.
Weaknesses:
It tates a little sweet after a while and sometimes you just want some water. Water you can pour on your head to cool off with or on a body part that's bleeding. But then again water doesn't give you any power.
Similar Products Used:
Gatorade powder, Gatorade liquid, Red Bull, Horse Power.
Bike Setup:
2001 Trek Fuel 90 Disk, 1996 GT Ricochet.
Bottom Line:
The first time I tried it, it was like having a few 1,000 volts surge through me. I've been using it since 2001 at 2 cans/year for jogging, cycling and ice skating (my cycling off season). I tried and stuck with the "go grape flavour", till 1x the shop only had the other two flavours (tropical in green I think, something in a pink colour). I went with the pink, but it was less then 1/2 as good as the grape is. I use it in portions of: 1 or 2 scoops with water in a water bottle, or 1 or 2 scoops with Gatorade (Fierce Grape) in a water bottle and 1x I tried 4 scoops in a 70oz. bladder on a 112km long ride (with more then just the bladder for this long ride). Bottom Line: I feel better knowing there's something besides just water or Gatorade in my water bottles. It tastes great, works very well for me and I don't see any reason why I should change to another product.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Brown
a Racer
from Dallas, TX Date Reviewed: July 27, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
PerformanceBike
Strengths:
Herbal lift
Weaknesses:
Electrolytes, only two identified and Sodium is too low and Postassium is too high. Ok for winter weather, not good for the hot texas summers, seems to cause bloating, high osmality (sp)?
Bottom Line:
I switched to Shaklee Performance and much better off, all of the testing with the Shaklee Team seems to be of value even though missing the marketing sizzle of the newer products.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Indiefab
a Cross Country Rider
from Tulsa, OK USA Date Reviewed: January 3, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Turkey Mountain
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
LBS, to remain anonymous
Strengths:
Um, as a pest repellent. Oh, yeah, you can also use it to poison your enemies. I am known among my friends to drink about anything and enjoy it; but this is totally unacceptable.
Weaknesses:
-flavor - tastes like pure sin with little chunks of evil. -texture - chunky; good for peanut butter, not for drinks. -appearance - doesn't dissolve; and if you shake it, it foams up! -price - $25 for a 24oz can. Same amount would buy around 20# of gatorade.
Similar Products Used:
Gatorade (diluted to 1/4 strength is preferred), most of the powerbar drink products which I really like, Red Bull (yummy!)
Bike Setup:
Trek 8000, SID XL, Time ATAC Ti Carbon, mish-mash of LX and Ritchey drivetrain.
Bottom Line:
I usually trust my friendly local privately-owned Tulsa-area LBS, but they screwed me totally by saying this tasted OK. I should have known better when I saw it was the only thing they had left. I have not mentioned them by name because they are usually great guys and have helped me in the past. Maybe they mistook me for some chump wanna-be when I walked in covered in sweat and dirt after a 3 hour ride, wearing Pearl Izumi from head to toe which I have bought loyaly from their store for the last 5 years. FYI: I have only tried the pink lemonade flavor. Maybe the citrus flavor tastes like bottled ambrosia and makes you climb like Tinker. I'm not going to spend the $25 to find out.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA Date Reviewed: July 19, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Griffin Creek
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
RiteAid
Strengths:
Keeps me from getting side cramps on long ridses. Higher sustained level of energy
Weaknesses:
take a bottle full of cytomax & leave water in our camelbak. It can get sticky and hard to clean in a water bag.
Bike Setup:
03 Epic, 03 Psylo Race with RL, Easton CF Handlebars, LP CF barends, ATACS, CK headset
Bottom Line:
When my best friend and I fly into Moab and rode two days in Arches, this stuff was the only supplement to keep my thighs from burning and my stomach from cramping. Riding at that elevation and heat is a true challenge. I don;t think i would have done near as well without cytomax in my bottles.
PS. I haven't tried their gels. Email if anyone has.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
kb
a Cross Country Rider
from Marin, CA, USA Date Reviewed: March 2, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
-Tastes Good (Tried Tropical Punch) -Works as good as Gatorade
Weaknesses:
-Works as good as Gatorade - for the price I expected better -Expensive price for unspectacular performance -Causes bloating - not a good thing -Takes longer to digest - I pee more of this stuff out than I do with gatorade. -Much harder to mix than Gatorade. You need to mix the powder with hot water to make sure it dissolves. Then you add cold water and ice.
Similar Products Used:
Gatorade, Water
Bottom Line:
Its pricey, takes awhile to mix with water, causes bloating, doesn't work any better than Gatorade, takes longer to digest (you pee most of it out).
The cons simply outweigh the pros, which at this point are only the good taste.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew Kalter
a Racer
from Norwalk, CT Date Reviewed: January 24, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Private
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
30.00
Strengths:
God taste, mixes easily, good digestion.
Weaknesses:
No protein
Similar Products Used:
gatorade, endurox
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher Supercaliber OCLV (practically an antique) 9 sp gripshift lx, xt, xtr mix. crossmax wheels and the great Quadra 21R with 1 speedspring and Mobil 1 oil.
Bottom Line:
I mix Cytomax with in a 2:1 ration with Endurox to up the protein and vitamins. That mixture was working great for me way before everyone started hypeing protein fortified sports drinks like Accelerade. I originally tried the mix because I wasn't crazy about the taste of the endurox. Sometimes I carry a water bottle of a strong mix and a camelback of water. Taht works well and I can be lazy and not clean the camelback. If I put it in a camelback I premix the solution and put the empty bladder in the freezer afterwards to prevent growth.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jon
a
from Tampa, FL Date Reviewed: November 21, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$34.00
Strengths:
Not too sweet. Doesn't coat throat w/ syrup like Gatorade.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Gatorade, Kool-Aide
Bike Setup:
N/A
Bottom Line:
This stuff does what it is supposed to do, which is aid in muscle recovery. Your legs will recover quicker and the stuff will wipe away any cramps. Grape and Citrus taste great. I put a diluted amount in my hydra system. You'll love it, it is worth its price. Go with the big can of it, you'll use it on long climbs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
FritzMan
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa, Canada Date Reviewed: October 25, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Canadian mail order
Strengths:
After a little bit of experience with it, this stuff works! Noticable consistency in breathing and energy reserves. May even help recoveries.
Weaknesses:
For me, this stuff needs to be diluted at least 50% of the manufacturers suggestion. Need to mix the stuff and refriderate it at least 12 hours prior to consumptions. Some stomach gas (burping) and aching if too strong. Not a 100% cramp-proof nutrion (can anything be?).
Similar Products Used:
Gatorade - too sweep and sticky in the mouth. Water - good for hydration only.
Bottom Line:
I use it mostly for enduros (or lenghty high effort training rides), so I'll end up consuming 2 liters at a time. That ends up being a lot of Cytomax at one seating, hence I dilute it. On a recent enduro, I felt a little stoch ache as well, which I've read some other users have experienced (will dilute even more). Has to be refridgerated before use (needs to be a little transparent) instead of the freshly mixed (which is much more opaque). No doubt that it can be gasy. Try shaking it in a thermos and then open it, you'll see some kind of reaction which releases gas (carbon?). I usually mix the night before, then shake the hell out of it for a couple of minutes before consumption. I've had leg cramps during enduros while using this stuff, will try and supplement with anti-cramp pills (Endurox?). Overall, this is good stuff and will definitely give you the edge over a water-only competitor. 3 Chilis in value becuase it's fairly expensive.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dick Blomberg
a Cross Country Rider
from Penland Date Reviewed: July 31, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Blue Ridge Parkway Mountains
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
REI
Strengths:
Really stops leg cramping. Better than salt. No cramps for a year, even after 100 mile rides. The effect lasts about 2 days. Cells seem to retain fluids. I weigh about 3-4 lbs more than if only using water or salt/water.
Weaknesses:
Maybe...just maybe, it has messed up my thyroid...which is now underactive. Used 18 lbs of Cytomax the past year (100-200 grams/week). Now off of it and on thyroid hormone therapy. I am not lethargic, have plenty of energy, even with the underactive thyroid. Seems strange.
Similar Products Used:
Common table salt, about a teaspoonful in a ride with water.
Bike Setup:
Eddy Mercx Ti frame, Shimano Ultegra components.
Bottom Line:
I may try it again, after getting my thyroid back to normal with medication. Question: has anyone else observed this problem? I am getting on in age, 77 soon, so that may be the explaination, but a year ago without Cytomax my thyroid was okay. The only thing different was the constant use of Cytomax for a year.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
kate
a
from los alamos, nm Date Reviewed: June 26, 2001
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$34.00
Purchased At:
local shop
Strengths:
reasonable taste, works well, dissolves easily.
Weaknesses:
Artificial sweetener (splenda, or sucralose). The original product had no artificial sweeteners (or none I recognized), and was a truly superior product.
Bottom Line:
Artificial sweeteners are so insufficiently studied, and they can have side effects. Both sorbitol and (apparently) sucralose have (for a small percentage of the population) a certain, um, laxative effect. This effect can be very disruptive on a long ride. It also causes abdominal cramping before, during, and long after the laxative effect has taken place. I would much rather deal with the extra calories of sugar, and not have to worry about the problems of artificial sweeteners.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver Date Reviewed: July 19, 2000
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
I love this stuff. I used to use it as a player on the Oakland Raiders, and it always gave me a noticable difference in easing my transition to my second wind during the anaerobic practices. Now that my workouts gear to both aerobic and anaerobic, it definitely helps my energy levels stay level, even when combining weights and aerobics.
Weaknesses:
Taste is okay, i think sometimes it settles when I pre-mix it.
Similar Products Used:
Gatorade, Powerade, Revenge, All-Sport
Bottom Line:
This product has science and not hype behind it. I'd trust it before, during and after my most important workouts.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
goldberg
a Racer
from ny Date Reviewed: October 18, 1999
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
the cats ballz!
Bottom Line:
the cats ballz! use it for a month consistently....you will notice less fatigue at the top of huge climbs.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brad Hartsock
a Cross-Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ Date Reviewed: October 15, 1999
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
clears stomach quickly, no bloating, good source of electrolytes/calories
Weaknesses:
ARTIFICIAL sweetner used.
Similar Products Used:
PowerBar Perfrom, Gatorade
Bottom Line:
i have been a big fan of this product (in particular the orange). i don't know if i've ever bought into the lactic acid buffering...all i know is that it clears my stomach quickly and provides calories critical to surviving endurance events. a sports nutrition newsletter i receive discusses some of the health problems caused by artificial sweetners such as aspartame (nutrasweet), acesulfame-k (sunett), etc. i knew aspartame has terrible effects on the body and don't understand how it was approved by the FDA, but sunett apparently isn't much better. it allows a product to be 'sweet' without having to use lots of sucrose, fructose, glucose (simple sugars that can spike energy levels). anyway, sadly, my orange cytomax has sunett. i'm not hip to being a guinea pig (especially considering how much of this i take in). cytosport says 2 new flavors (peach/grape) will be sweetened with sucralose (another ARTIFICIAL sweetner that hasn't been well studied). studies conducted by the manufacturer just don't sit with me. if enough cytomax drinkers complain to the company, they may search out other, less controversial ways to sweeten the product (like hammergel does). until then, i'll probably switch to perform since they don't use any artificial sweetners.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rollin Willis
a Racer
from harvard, Ma Date Reviewed: August 31, 1999
Duration Product Used:
more than 3 years
Strengths:
Good flavor Very good for long rides Good for post ride rehydration This stuff works better than anything I've tried and I've tried quite a fewLike the Tropical punch
Weaknesses:
Tough to mix (I usually dissolve the powder in my bottle with a little hot water)
Submitted by
Gary
a Cross-Country Rider
from Kalamazoo Date Reviewed: August 2, 1999
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Love the taste, tangy orange is the best not to mention it works.
Weaknesses:
Price unless you find it one sale.
Similar Products Used:
PR. Solution, and that new power bar drink, don't waste you time with that thing.
Bike Setup:
Trek 6500, Judy C
Bottom Line:
By the stuff it works. Tangy orange even has the herbal lift. :-) so get out and ride.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nikko Lubinski
a Weekend Warrior
from Rocklin,Ca Date Reviewed: June 12, 1999
Favorite Trail:
anything around
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
i couldn't tell
Weaknesses:
taste
Similar Products Used:
Met rx metabol
Bottom Line:
I do not know if it is just the cool citrus flavor but after drinking some i almost threw up. The taste was horrendous. It gagged me. The only way i could use it was by mixing it with a sugar-flavored drink and I couldn't really see how good it worked. My friends actually thought that it was pond water at first. Maybe the other flavors won't be so disgustingly grotesque. I might give it another try.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bill
a Racer
from mountain home Date Reviewed: May 15, 1999
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Old cytomax great no complaint
Weaknesses:
New cyto STINKS
Similar Products Used:
Met rx ors xlr8
Bottom Line:
I see there is no new reviews since nov. 98, this was the good stuff the new stuff dont waste your money it sucks! Tastes like koolaid, doesnt wk as well and most of all you cant mix the stuff to save your life! dont buy it.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Larry
a cross-country rider
from AZ Date Reviewed: November 17, 1998
Bottom Line:
Great stuff, orange and punch are both good. Really does take the burn out of your legs later in the ride. Combine with GU for a good burst of energy! Been using it for two years and love it. I mix it in a blender to ensure it mixes well and its ready to go. This stuff is for real, not hype by any means.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
maTT
a racer
from Minnesota Date Reviewed: October 31, 1998
Bottom Line:
Energry food in general has come a long way. It tstes ten times better than it did 5 years ago. Erengy food is not supposed to be cool and refreshing, but rather help you ride longer and faster. I'd tried gatorade, powergel, cliff bars and shot durin xc races before and they all made me feel like i was going to hurl all over the top tube. Not cytomax though. I felt just as strong at 1:30:00 as i did at 5:00 into the event. I start drinking it a half hour into a race or long ride. I mix one scoop in a small bottle and that is more than sugar for my body. It really works.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
eboos
a racer
from Santiago, Chile Date Reviewed: September 6, 1998
Bottom Line:
I like this stuff, but it is not perfict.1. It does not desolve well in cold water. Solution, mix in water bottle with warm water and put it in the frige.2. Causes sh*t to grow in bottle after use. Solution: clean imediatly after use, may need small amount of bleach.3. Could taste better. Solution: it is too thick when using the directions, use only 80-85% of mix as directed.The performance of this stuff is great. When riding on a hot day, make sure you bring a second water bottle with just water, or you'll find that this is not keeping you hydrated. As much as I like this stuff, I would rate it as 3.5, but I have to give it 4 chiles. This rating is not to compare it to any other product, because it is the best that I have tried. I'm giving it this rating because I think that it could be improved.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jhune Reyes
a racer
from Guam USA Date Reviewed: August 27, 1998
Bottom Line:
I've been using this product for a year and a half and I highly recommend it. I can feel a huge difference on a long high intensity ride or training. I don't get the bonk with these drink. I wish I used this drink when I first started mountain biking. This product increased my performance to the next level. Before discovering this drink, I get so tired after a ride that I have to rest or sleep to recover. Not anymore. When I use this drink, I come home after a 2 hour ride take a shower and ready to spend quality time with my wife and kids. I have equal or more energy than before. like the Citrus and Tropical flavor. I tried GU, Powergels and Cliffshots. They work too but they work better as an emergency energy booster. I don't need them with my Cytomax. I mix mine thin, 2 scoops per half a gallon of water in a pitcher, and then I pour it on my camelback. I'm a believer of this product and recommends it. When you're feeling sluggish, drink CYTOMAX!!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
AVI
a downhiller
from ICELAND Date Reviewed: July 14, 1998
Bottom Line:
It's awsome!!!!! This stuff did really work!!!!!!!! I use 5 scoops per water bottle and I sip it during the run. I've cut 39 seconds of my previous runs no joke!!!! My dog and my pet turtle enjoy playing in the powder on weekends. I don't know why? Avi p.s. You might also want to try it with roughly 3 tablespoons of salt for quicker absorbtion and better taste!!!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason B.
a racer
from Austin, TX Date Reviewed: February 11, 1998
Bottom Line:
It actually works. I used to drink it after rides and it eliminated any post-bonk symptoms (heavy legs, headaches, general malaise) but I've started drinking it on rides (and during races) and I found that I really extends my riding times/reduces fatigue. A word of caution. DO NOT BUY THE LARGEST SIZE CAN IF YOU LIVE ANYWHERE WITH HUMIDITY....IT WILL TURN INTO AN IMMUTABLE BLOCK.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Katie
a weekend warrior
from No. Va Date Reviewed: January 1, 1998
Bottom Line:
I first tried Cytomax when I started long distance riding (equestrian). Imagine filling up on lots of fluids and then trotting for miles and miles :::burf::: I had to find a sports drink to keep me going w/o drinking huge quantities of it - Cytomax kept me from bonking! I thought the Apple flavor was REALLY synthetic and don't recommend it..maybe my horse would have liked it? I liked the Tropical fruit flavored one (pink can).
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a cross-country rider
from NC Date Reviewed: December 19, 1997
Bottom Line:
This stuff actually works! Unlike most other non-food based products that claim to work but don't. Mix it light and don't bother with any other flavor except tangy orange. This stuff will save your life on a long ride. I don't know what else to say, but I need fifty words to post this.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Casey A. Jones
a cross-country rider
from Ft. Lauderdale,FL Date Reviewed: October 19, 1997
Bottom Line:
I made the mistake of puuting this junk in my Camelbak for a race.BLECH! I have never had anything so disgusting.It was so bad, I couldn't even drink it.What little I did manage to stomach,made me quite qeasy.I'll be sticking to the lemon-lime ULTRA-FUEL by TWIN LAB as my pre-race drink.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Johnny Scott
a racer
from Maine Date Reviewed: October 9, 1997
Bottom Line:
There is only one word for this product... AMAZING!! I like to make mine very strong 2.5 - 3 scoops in one water bottle (tangy orange is the best flavor in my opinion). All I can say is that I would never race without it. After using cytomax, water seems to only bloat my stomach. The drink allows you to increase your energy on a ride, and if it is a really long ride, it can even supress your hunger. I have also used this product for ice hockey. One day I was really really sick, and I had zero energy, it also happend to be my last high school hockey game (playoff game). So I broke into my Cytomax stash and filled up 2 waterbottles full of the stuff. We lost the game but I was all over the place and had tons of energy. That night, after the cytomax wore off, I felt like I was going to die again!! So be carefull! You could get addicted!!! But if I were you, I wouldn't use it in a race, that way I can blow by you on the second lap!! hahaha
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim Nowak
a cross-country rider
from La Crescenta, CA. Date Reviewed: September 27, 1997
Bottom Line:
Cytomax really works, doesn't upset my stomach and is definitely worth the price. I never truly appreciated this product until I tried doing some long rides with Gatorade instead. My conclusion; Gatorade sucks, Cytomax rules!
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Submitted by
dean
a weekend warrior
from Northern California Date Reviewed: August 17, 1997
Bottom Line:
Has kind of a bad taste at first, but now I like it. Definitely keeps the energy level constant. Friends who have tried it are all converts. Suggest mixing it in a blender, else you get 'cytosludge' at the bottom of your camelback. hmmm...acquired taste, spread by word of mouth, gives you extra energy..Crack cocaine for athletes??
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bryan
a racer
from Date Reviewed: July 25, 1997
Bottom Line:
All hale champion nutrition! I love this stuff. Anything that works this good can't be good for you but oh well. Just don't let it go bad. It gets yeast and will bloat your stomach.
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Submitted by
Allan Cruz
a cross-country rider
from California Date Reviewed: July 11, 1997
Bottom Line:
Folks, read Champion Nutrition's ads in the magazines! Take heed, and enjoy the nutritional advantage. Instead of breakfast, gulp down some Metabolol II with the right amount of Muscle Nitro capsules. Use the Cytomax, make sure it's not to sweet or else you'll just keep on getting thirsty, during your rides. It wouldn't hurt to drink their Power Creatine 15 minutes prior to your hide ride. You will be amazed how all these combinations will make you feel great on your rides. Climb like a goat with either none, or less burn/bonk!!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
George
a cross-country rider
from San Jose, California Date Reviewed: June 26, 1997
Bottom Line:
This stuff keeps the bonk away, letting me ride longer. The pink flavor is the best. All of you complainers with weak stomachs should just stay home on your couch and drink a Pepsi instead, and let the rest of us ride all day.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Heidi
a cross-country rider
from Missoula, MT Date Reviewed: March 31, 1997
Bottom Line:
Of all the enery drinks i've tried, this one seemed to hold true to the claims of the manufacturers, at least to some extent. the taste is not overpoweringly sweet, but i don't recommend buying one huge can, because you'll get sick of the same old flavor over and over. this drink seems to somewhat thwart the overwhelming tiredness of very long rides and stave off muscle burn when compared to other nutritional drinks. But not every rider is the same of course, cytomax may not work for everybody. cytobars are palatable also.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Geoff Gibb
a
from cross-country rider Date Reviewed: March 28, 1997
Bottom Line:
I've used Cytomax off and on for five years. I have used it recreationaly and during competition. It is quite palatable and it seems to aid performance. I recomend the fruit punch flavor. Drink cytomax during exercise appro. one serving every hour or so. This is one of champion Nutritions better products some of their meal replacement drinks SUCK!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Warren Massey
a racer
from South Africa Date Reviewed: March 17, 1997
Bottom Line:
I have used CYTOMAX for +- 6 months now. Cool citrus being my favourite flavour. It is a fantastic product and I can recommend it to all riders.You really notice the difference on the long hard rides. It really does Beat the BurnThe only problem is that we battle to get the product out in South Africa. Can someone advise a good US supplier.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael J. Mandli
a
from racer Date Reviewed: March 10, 1997
Bottom Line:
I train approxiamately 500 hours a year and I did 30 races over the past year. No other product I've tried gives me the replenishment and boost I need during training and racing. I use the orange flavor with the herbal lift and I dilute it a bit from the recommended dose. I also use their Endurance Formula as a pre-race meal with excellent results. This is the real deal.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matthew Sontag
a
from Wauwatosa, WI, USA Date Reviewed: February 18, 1997
Bottom Line:
This is a Fantastic product. It beats all the Carbo drinks out there hands down. It's a bit pricey but, it sure gives you a pick up from no sugar like Gatorade. Been on Gatorade for a good 6 months. I'm not really a Cyclist. I'm just trying to lose bodyfat and build some muscles weight lifting. I can actually want to get onto my NordiacTrac Skier and take it out for a good cardio for 25 to 30 minutes. At times when you excerise like me sometimes you kinda ask yourself if you want to do it or not. With Cytomax I want to get going and lose some calories. Cool Citrus is my favorite flavor. I won't mind to try out some more of Cytomax products!! Thanks Cytomax for the boost in energy!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
matt winstead
a racer
from alabama Date Reviewed: January 1, 1997
Bottom Line:
I bought my first can of this stuff in the summer.at first it can really taste like shit but the more you drink it the better it tastes. i bought the tropical punch, which is o.k. but the orange is way better.i run cross country(5th in the state by the way) and use it for that and mtb training and racing. im not sure if it does a lot for performance, i think i can tell a little with recovery.to get an even more potent drink mix the max with the matching gatorade flavor.also dont mix it by hand, USE A BLENDER it makes it taste better and you bont get the nasty clumps on the bottom of your camelback.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan
a cross-country rider
from Marin, Ca, USA Date Reviewed: December 27, 1996
Bottom Line:
I like to water it down in my camelback with about two packets per camelback 70 oz. resavoir. So 1 per 30 oz. is a great dilution. This improves the taste and makes it less soupy and more like a drink. I know it says that one serving per 16 oz. but you still get benefits out of it and it is so much better diluted. Eat a energy bar or some fruit (no citrus) a while before your ride and you'll have a good amount of energy to take on most mountains.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason Nugent
a racer
from Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: December 16, 1996
Bottom Line:
I love this stuff. It is the greatest energy drink I have ever tried. Some people don't like the taste,but I loved it right from the start. I can *feel* it kick in during a ride. Amazing.. kinda pricey,but worth it...
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
zigman
a cross-country rider
from Venice, Ca Date Reviewed: December 7, 1996
Bottom Line:
Once upon a time I came to the realization that beer and tamales were the ideal post-ride recovery meal, but probably not the best thing to pack for a long dusty one in the sun, hence the birth of Cytomax and PowerBar.Great bonus: Even when clumped and crusty, dissolves rapidly in agua, also probably the world's best hangover helper!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ken Tobias
a cross-country rider
from Thousand Oaks, CA Date Reviewed: November 25, 1996
Bottom Line:
Since I've starting using this energy drink I have noticed marked differences in performance. I am able to maintain a high output level for longer periods with less recovery time between efforts. I am also able to function at a higher average output level. The drink also seems to have a significant impact on post ride recovery. I don't get cramps or lead legs after even the most strenuous ride. I drink in during and after a ride. I usually eat a PowerBar (et. al.) before the ride estabilsh a good base and on longer rides I also eat PowerBars throughout the ride for maintenance. Orange is the best flavor. Pretty good actually, as energy food goes. ;-)I've only tried the during ride stuff. They have stuff for loading before a ride and recovery after a ride. I'm thinking of trying both.Overall: Good stuff. If you care how fast or how far you can go, you ought to try it. It's also coming down in price. I've seen the big can for as low as $29.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Benz OuYang
a cross-country rider
from Berkeley, California Date Reviewed: October 17, 1996
Bottom Line:
Even though I was very skeptical about this product, curiosity drove me to buy a packet of their one-serving sample packs. I don't know if the Cytomax was doing its stuff or if it's just psychological but I sure outperformed myself that day. During that ride, I experienced slightly less burning thighs and slightly more energy to boost my way through friends. Ah! I was a believer (and don't care if it's physiological or psychological as long as it works)! So I splurged after that and got a 4.5lbs tin of the stuff and never looked back. BTW, FWIW, I thought the Tangy Orange flavour is pretty good and can't understand why people don't like it. Four stars because it's five times the price of Gatorade.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lonnie
a racer
from Austin,Tx Date Reviewed: August 5, 1996
Bottom Line:
I never use the stuff while racing but it is part of my training regiment. The stuff really works. No more burning legs.Quick energy when you need it. Excellent for long rides.The taste is DEFINITELY an acquired one.The first time I tried it I almost hurled but I payed a lot for the 3lb. can (29.99) so I keeped drinking it. Now it tastes good to me and I find it refreshing.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Keith
a cross-country rider
from Salem, Mass. Date Reviewed: July 4, 1996
Bottom Line:
I recently was given a free sample of Champion Nutrition's Cytomax (orange flavor). As I headed out for a long ride, I decided that it would be a good time to give it a try. It was very easy to prepare and made no mess, so I threw it in my bottle and went for a ride. About ten minutes into my ride I came to a revelation that I had to share with the whole world (or the percentage thereof that's going to actually take the time to read this). Sweet Lord in Heaven, this is the worst tasting thing on Earth. No joke. I took one sip and almost hurled all over my brand new grips (serfas connectors, very cushy). I couldn't take another sip. In all honesty, it was just like Tang without the sugar.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nathan Gursky
a cross-country rider
from San Carlos, CA Date Reviewed: July 2, 1996
Bottom Line:
Been riding lots of miles with stuff. It works great, without a doubt! Ran out of the stuff once, and my legs burned like the fires of hell! Won't ride without the stuff ever again. Stay away from the orange flavor, it's dreadful! Cool Citrus is my favorite flavor.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ron
a weekend warrior
from Coronado CA Date Reviewed: June 10, 1996
Bottom Line:
My favorite on the ride drink. They have about 4 flavors, buy a single serving of each flavor to find out your favorite. Very good at getting the dust out of your mouth. I don't know if all their advertising claims are true, but it works WAY beter than H20. Keep ONE bottle filled with H20, in case you have to clean battle damage on your extremities.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Khanh Dinh
a cross-country rider
from San Jose, CA Date Reviewed: June 6, 1996
Bottom Line:
This stuff works! It allows you to keep going when you shouldn't be able to! It only gets 4 stars because the taste is less than pleasurable. whatever you do, don't buy tropical punch. I still have some from 2 yrs. ago....yuck!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andreas
a weekend warrior
from San Francisco, CA Date Reviewed: June 3, 1996
Bottom Line:
The taste is ok once you get used to it. It's a bit grainy, and the first time I had it, it reminded me of raw egg yolk. But it really does energize me. I prefer orange juice, baking soda, salt, and dextrose diluted in water - it's cheaper, better tasting, and has the same effect
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan
a racer
from Truckee, CA Date Reviewed: May 27, 1996
Bottom Line:
I'm sponsored by Cytomax, but these opinions are objective. The snacbar is pretty good, but I think you get more kick with a powerbar. I wouldn't eat either in a race, but for long training rides I'd rather have the powerbar along. The snacbar tastes better though. The power energy drink is awesome. I've been riding without it for 3 days and I feel slower and less power coming from the body. My new shipment is coming in and I can't wait.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Francis
a racer
from Campbell, CA Date Reviewed: May 25, 1996
Bottom Line:
Pure Magic! Quenches your thirst, tastes good, prevents muscle cramps, minimizes the dreaded side stitch. This drink lets me ride longer faster
One precaution is that one has to clean their waterbottle or camelback immediately after the ride. Otherwise, bad stuff starts growing and its hard to clean.
Overall Rating:
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