In 1997, six of the country's top exercise physiologists changed the science of muscle recovery using a recovery drink containing a patented ratio of carbohydrate to protein (4 to 1). They showed that Endurox R4 could speed muscle recovery and reduce muscle damage. A recent study in Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research shows that Endurox R4 increases muscle glycogen replenishment 128% more than a conventional sports drink and extends endurance by 55% in a subsequent exercise bout. Your competition is already drinking Endurox R4. Don't give them an edge.
Submitted by
Dave Wright
a Cross Country Rider
from Greenville, SC, USA Date Reviewed: November 10, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Kanuga
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
various places & pri
Strengths:
Good taste (Lemon Lime & Tangy Orange) encourages drinking
Right balance of carbs, protein, and electrolytes
Mixes easily
Bottles wash out easily apres-ride
Weaknesses:
Expensive @ MSRP; get a discount
Similar Products Used:
Gatorade (too sugary & thin tasting; needs some protein)
Water + dry carbs or gels/blocks (disrupts ride flow & slow to digest)
Accelerade (reluctant to mix; trashes bottles)
Podium (even more expensive)
Bike Setup:
26" single speed MTB
Touring bike for the road
Bottom Line:
Note that I am using this drink during rides, and often one right after. I've tried lots of approaches, and this one simply works. I often ride well past the point of glycogen exhaustion, so I am riding "on my stomach". Two bottles, a 12 oz. Nalgene flask full of powder, and water sources alogn the route are all I need to enjoy 6 - 8 hours on the bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cvanliere
a Weekend Warrior
from Tempe, AZ, US Date Reviewed: December 26, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Various
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
Vitamin Shoppe
Strengths:
Less sore on the morning after, feel good right after drinking
Weaknesses:
Expensive for what the ingredients are
Similar Products Used:
GU, Clif, Powerbar, Monster, Various home mixes, Protein mixes, etc.
Bike Setup:
2006 Enduro
Bottom Line:
Remember using it the first time and was surprised. A friend laughed and said you could just take Gatorage with a Vitamin E and B pill. I've tried various substitutes and it does not seem to work quite the same. However, the price is quite high for the ingredients involved. Everyone is different, but mixed with one scoop of AKG powder ($10/bottle Vitamin Shoppe, yellow box) and don't remember anything feeling so good after a long ride. Bananas are really good for the $$ during rides, Endurox is a really good recovery drink, but seems too expensive for the ingredients, but it works fairly well. Great if you are highly devoted to riding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rotors93
a Weekend Warrior
from Orcutt, CA, USA Date Reviewed: October 25, 2008
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$42.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bike
Bottom Line:
Mike rated this product 1 star
Sat, October 25,2008:
I would have taken the old Lemon Lime formula to my grave with me and I am only 36. Yet the new formula has me looking elsewhere as it doesn't mix well unless you blend it and I don't feel mentally there for several hours as I did right away with the old formula. Why change a good, OK great product? :-(
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim
a
from sacramento, ca Date Reviewed: March 8, 2007
Favorite Trail:
The next one I ride
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Performance Bike
Strengths:
Used to work great!
Weaknesses:
Formula has been change (slimy money-grubbers), tastes awful.
Similar Products Used:
before R4: Gatoraid, after R4 (now): Hammer Perpetuem
Bottom Line:
At long last, I found a product with genuine glucose. And sure enough, often I would find my pace picking up and then think to myself, "Hey, that's right, I mixed up a batch 1/2 hour ago!" Biking 130 miles day after day on a tour, Gatoraid and food just don't give enough energy because of the processing the body has to do at a finite pace. Not so with glucose. And the protein is a plus with my multi-day tours. BUT THEN, I went to buy more and spied that they've dropped the glucose, damn! So now I'm making do with Hammer Perpetuem that works okay.
The taste was awful and I found cutting it 1:1 with Gatoraid fixed this and also made for a less costly mix. I did not find this hampered its effectiveness for me and my type of very long but non-racing paced rides.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob
a Racer
from Mesa, AZ Date Reviewed: July 30, 2006
Favorite Trail:
National--south mountain
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Everything
Weaknesses:
I don't like the Fruit Punch taste. Get orange or lemon lime.
Bike Setup:
Ellsworth Truth
Bottom Line:
I like this a lot. After a long ride I feel like it really helps, (but who knows for sure). It tastes great (except for fruit punch).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Patrick
a Cross Country Rider
from Harrisburg, PA Date Reviewed: April 24, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
Vanilla flavor tastes great. I'd drink it just whenever I felt thirsty throughout the day if it was cheaper. It definately seemed to do everything it claimed as far as I can tell.
Weaknesses:
Hard to get all the powder to dissolve. Gotta keep shaking it up as ya drink it.
Bottom Line:
Tastes great & it works. What else is there to say?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jason
a Cross Country Rider
from champaign, IL, USA Date Reviewed: February 13, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$27.00
Purchased At:
nutritiongeeks.com
Strengths:
The powder mixes more easily with water than some others I've tried. I read bad reviews about fruit punch flavor so I haven't tried it. I've only used Vanilla because I tried that first and absolutely love the taste. No kidding - I would choose that taste over many desserts. I just ordered my first chocolate but haven't tried it yet.
Weaknesses:
Most places grossly overprice this stuff. Online you can find 28 serving canisters for under 30 bucks. In most big name stores they charge that much for 14 servings. My high chili rating in Value category only assumes you get a good price. The more common high price is way too much.
Similar Products Used:
various
Bottom Line:
As far as I can tell it works as advertised - though hard to prove that. The vanilla at least tastes awesome. Might take a little online research to find a good price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Burgess
a Weekend Warrior
from Minnesota Date Reviewed: December 15, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$23.00
Purchased At:
the endurox website
Strengths:
Awesome recovery, and less soreness for sure!!!
Weaknesses:
Taste...
Bottom Line:
Ok, the orange tang flavor is definitely the best! However this isn't powerade ( I mean cool-aide)and taste ok, not great but ok. But compared to it's results I think it's worth it. Since this is made and tested by exercise physiologists, sponsored by the track coaches association, hockey coaches association etc..., and it's been around before most recovery drinks I think it's pretty proven in effectiveness. My personal experience has been nothing but good...I've done long intense workouts, and expected to be laid up for a bit...but it significantly reduces soreness. It's amazing... I'll continue to buy it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Cal Date Reviewed: November 20, 2005
Favorite Trail:
skeggs
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
supergo
Strengths:
works well, go down easy, nevr upset my stomach.
Weaknesses:
taste, yak
Similar Products Used:
Powerbar serious, Twinlab fuel, fillet mignon
Bike Setup:
Sugar
Bottom Line:
My body feels good and my stomach never had problem with it. To drink it is the tough part- taste too chemical and I need to mix 1/3 of juice for drinkablity. it's very easy to mix with water and kept powder in moisture environment better than others. Good product over all, only if I can get it down to my throat.... Worst taste I have tried.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Asher
a Racer
from Waterford, MI Date Reviewed: December 23, 2004
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
bike store or REI
Strengths:
Makes my recovery time better - less fatigue, not burnt.
Weaknesses:
Can't stand the fruit flavor, yech. Have to mix the product just right in order for it to taste good.
Similar Products Used:
HammerGel Recoverite
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher Supercal 29'er, custom built
Bottom Line:
Good stuff. I only use the Lemon Lime. I've switched over to HammerGel's products now as they have a complete line and their recovery drink isn't as fickle to my tastebuds. Had to knock it down a chili because of this.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian
a Racer
from Dallas, TX Date Reviewed: August 28, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Wasatch Crest
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$48.00
Purchased At:
RBM
Strengths:
Works! Don't know how, don't need to know.
Weaknesses:
Taste of all flavors except Chocolate and Vanilla.
Similar Products Used:
Nada.
Bike Setup:
Why?
Bottom Line:
This stuff really works. Just try it!
Like the post before me says the New and Improved Fruit Punch tastes terrible. To me, it tastes like vomit. But then I tried the Chocolate. Whoa! Like a chocolate shake! Then the Vanilla. Even better!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bilbo79
a Cross Country Rider
from vegas Date Reviewed: August 28, 2004
Favorite Trail:
bootleg canyon
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
it really works. less soreness the next day.
Weaknesses:
"new improved flavor" - fruit punch - tastes like chemical waste
Similar Products Used:
all of them
Bike Setup:
turner
Bottom Line:
i've used this product for years. it really works. if you ride an epic day after day, or hike for days at a time, you know what soreness is. this product helps reduce soreness you normally get the next day. period.
try it out on a friend. i recently fed some to one of my new friends (who is not into sports nutrition at all) after a gut wrenching day long death march, and he came back the next day commenting on how much less sore he was. he likened it to a cure for cancer or something.
now, i'm not a biologist or anything, but i can tell you that the guys that invented the "new improved" fruit punch flavor were eating psychotropical drugs that day.
i usually buy the stuff in several large canisters at a time, but i recently ran out. the new stuff i got did not taste mellow, and smooth any more. it is now both bitter and sweet. and this taste hangs around for a while. i'm being kind here, but it kinda tastes like someone added raw chemicals into the mix?
sorry for the rant. i guess i'll sample their other flavors @interbike next month. but in the meantime, i've got a boat load of this stuff.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Oni
a Cross Country Rider
from Honolulu Date Reviewed: August 11, 2004
Favorite Trail:
bikepaths the world over
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
McBike
Strengths:
Good stuff. Not a bad taste. Goes down easy.
Weaknesses:
Drink it after a ride and you aren't hungry.
Similar Products Used:
Nothing
Bike Setup:
Magna Fugitive
Bottom Line:
Good stuff. I tend to be rather sensitive to sports drinks with "stuff" in it(keep the herbal lift cyto the hell away from me) and this caused me no problems. No twitching, no hyperactivity, no urge to clean (thou that wouldn't have been bad). Used it in Whistler. Rode hard four days in a row, had a tall glass of this every day post ride. Helped a lot. Wasn't sore the next day nor did I have the whole body fatigue thing going on. Lame thing is it filled me up and I couldn't eat as much dinner....
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Carlos
a Cross Country Rider
from Rockledge Date Reviewed: August 11, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Santos, Razorback
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
GNC
Strengths:
It really works. No sore muscles, able to ride hard the next day. Amazing.
Weaknesses:
Taste is not that great, but it is drinkable.
Similar Products Used:
Cytomax, Accelarade, Gu, HammerGel
Bike Setup:
2002 Trek Fuel 100 with 2005 Manitou Minute Two.
Bottom Line:
This drink really works. The results are very noticeable, specially if you ride hard two days in a row. I drink it right after riding. The taste is not that great. It tastes more like a milk shake with a weird taste in there. I don't breath while I drink it so not to taste that weird flavor. I strongly suggest to try it. it has definitely changed my riding and I can let loose without worrying too much about the next day ride. No sore muscles!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
glunt bramling
a Cross Country Rider
from la honda Date Reviewed: July 20, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
performance byke
Strengths:
Weird cranked buzz after using.
Weaknesses:
Weird cranked buzz after using.
Similar Products Used:
Crank.
Bike Setup:
Heckler/Vanilla/5th Spring/Candy
Bottom Line:
Seriously, has anyone else noticed a weird cranked buzz after using this stuff? It seems to give a very noticeable caffeine/ginseng/niacin buzz. It has none of these ingredients, though.
It's kind of creepy after a good one-hour hammering sweatfest to drink this stuff and start cleaning the house with a toothbrush. Well, actually, I'm doing "computer research" on Endurox while the wife is twitching around the house manically cleaning. Win/win, I suppose.
Oh yeah, any product that comes in lemon-lime, fruit, chocolate, or vanilla flavors is unlikely to be convincing as lemon-lime. And it turns bright greenish-blue when you add water.
Seriously, this stuff is odd. Anyone else having similar effects? Will I ever sleep again? Where did all these big hairy bats come from and why are they in my living room?
Five chilis for the kickin' legal buzz at prices any kid can afford.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lisse
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO Date Reviewed: February 13, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Colorado Trail
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
Easy and quick to chug down after a long or hard work-out.
Weaknesses:
Can't think of any. The tangyness took a little getting use to, but it has really grown on me!
Similar Products Used:
Carbo mixes (gatorade, ultra fuel, etc.)
Bottom Line:
I love this stuff and swear by it after hard rides and runs, as do several of my friends. I love the faster recovery time and reduced soreness. I haven't done a lot of research on why/how it works, but it really does seem to!
If you haven't tried it, GIVE IT A SHOT!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Charlie Knoll
a Racer
from Denver, CO Date Reviewed: February 13, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Reno-Flag-Bear
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$27.00
Purchased At:
performancebike.com
Strengths:
Greatly improves recovery, makes you stronger for the next ride, tastes refreshing (especially shaken), price per serving is best out there for portable recovery drinks
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
EAS Quick Stir Protein, Jogmate
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Blur w/XTR FOX RLC 100
Bottom Line:
I believe the most important aspect of a racer's nutrition is to get a good protein recovery drink immediately following any significant workout or race. I have used typical weightlifting recovery drinks and jogmate for years, but I have noticed a significant improvement in recovery using Endurox. Over the past 2 months, I have begun using Endurox for recovery after indoor base training rides and have noticed a significant improvement in wattage output at both light and high intensities. Also, it tastes great when shaken with cold water, a little ice and fruit juice or milk.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
What's New
»
BEST OF MTBR - Check out the highest rated bikes, parts, & gear!
»
LED BIKE LIGHT SHOOTOUT 3 - We test all the newest products and latest light and battery technology in this comprehensive guide»
$ 30.99
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
