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Submitted by
ramilcp
a Weekend Warrior
from Whittier, CA
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Any bike or fitness store | | Strengths: | Provides good energy. Prevents me from bonking. | | Weaknesses: | Bitter chemical aftertaste on some flavors. Best to just swallow it down and not savor it. | | Similar Products Used: | Clif Shots, Honey Stinger, Powergel, e-Gel, Carb-boom. | | Bike Setup: | N/A | | Bottom Line: | I think the chocolate flavor is the most palatable of the Gu shots. The taste of Just Plain and Vanilla are disagreeable during the heat of physical activity. I get these at a discount so the I'm willing to get over the taste for a quick energy boost because taste aside, these shots work. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from NH
Date Reviewed: October 11, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | FT Rock | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1.00 | | Purchased At: | goodales | | Strengths: | energy | | Weaknesses: | taste,packaging | | Similar Products Used: | power gel, cliff shot | | Bike Setup: | specialized enduro pro | | Bottom Line: | power gel is too sweet, clif shot has a nasty after taste
Gu isnt great tasting but better than most, tried all flavers tri berry & orange taste best, just plain is just plain nasty, I finally settled on java for the double caffiene. I've resd several studies that conclude caffiene is the only quick boost that works, I'll have to agree. as for the taste & waste, eat it in 1 big swallow, drink water and carry a baggie for the sticky package | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kirk
a Weekend Warrior
from thousand oaks, CA USA
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | gives energy | | Weaknesses: | taste! | | Similar Products Used: | powerbar energy gel | | Bottom Line: | I want my Power Gel Back! This stuff is disgusting. Really, no joke. Plug your nose don't chew and pray the after taste doesn't linger for as long as it normally does. No noticable advantage in energy over power gel. And I compare power gel to yogurt (straw-banana), and GU to play-doh. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scratchy
a
from Adelaide
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | A new one | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Taste | | Similar Products Used: | Hammer Gel, Honey Stinger, High5 | | Bike Setup: | not revelant | | Bottom Line: | It's really a toss up between this and Hammer Gel, I prefer the vanilla taste of this one, it's kinda a "nothing", my primary concern if I'm slamming this down is to get it down, not savour the taste. I have used it in several 24hr enduros and at first I was scheptical about the usuage, but at 3am halfway through my 4th lap, getting one of these down left me in no doubt. Gel's work! Try different flavours and brands as I've had some that make me want to chuck. Not good when your bonking! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Edward C.
a
from Richmond, VA
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Belle Isle | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2.00 | | Purchased At: | Agee's Bicycles (Carytown) | | Strengths: | The Chocolate Outrage actually tastes good. I haven't tried some of the other flavors but I'm told vanilla and plain are repulsive. I did notice a little boost of energy ~1/2 hour into my daily run....nothing too significiant though. | | Weaknesses: | This product is outrageously expensive and can be very messy if one is not careful. | | Similar Products Used: | Granola bars, Powerbars, Gatorade, Powerade | | Bottom Line: | The success with most of these products lies in the marketing. Yes, it does provide an little extra boost of energy but certainly not for the price. I suppose products like this would benefit a consumer most when, while they are competing, they are starting to feel their energy levels become depleted. Consuming energy gel before a race or exercise session, in my opinion, is probably a waste of money and time. As I stated above though, the psychological effects should not be underestimated. Eating a well balanced diet, staying well hydrated, and exercising properly will serve you just as well and enable you to achieve the same performance results. Save your money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kodi Ehbear
a Racer
from Missoula, Montana
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt. McKinley, Alaska, or El Capitan in Texas | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | REI, and Bob Ward's | | Strengths: | Gives a quick boost of energy, I race bikes and I use it when the competition starts to heat up. I also carry it when hiking, snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, and everything else that relates to extreme activity. | | Weaknesses: | Tastes bad after brushing your teeth.. :) | | Similar Products Used: | PowerBar PowerGel | | Bike Setup: | I ride a Haro, GT, Specialized, MASH, and a Free Agent | | Bottom Line: | Just try it at least. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonj Downey
a Cross Country Rider
from Norfolk, NE USA
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Yellowbanks | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1.00 | | Purchased At: | Andrew BIcycle and Fitness | | Strengths: | It gives me energy | | Weaknesses: | Might be a little more calories per serving | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Giant XTC SE1 | | Bottom Line: | It works, tastes okay and doesn't make me want to vomit. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
woodyak
a Cross Country Rider
from rockport, ma
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Dogtown | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Variety of flavors, sold in value packs, nice quick boost, convenient. | | Weaknesses: | Sticky, some flavors are terrible, low cals. | | Similar Products Used: | PowerBars, gatorade, other power bar imitations, granola bars. | | Bike Setup: | Klein Mantra, Marz Z-2, Mavic Crossride, Time ATAC's, yada yada yada | | Bottom Line: | This stuff helps me get going after a long day of sitting at my desk. I don't feel like eating a meal before I ride after work and powerbars/granola stuff doesn't seem to help me out at all. I pound this stuff down and it helps me get past the post-work lethargy.
Give this stuff a shot, it's only a buck. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Carey
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson,AZ
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Yetman | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | lots of flavors | | Weaknesses: | tastes like crap- too sweet and chemical like | | Similar Products Used: | Carb-BOOM (this stuff is GOOD !) | | Bottom Line: | I tried each flavor and found that I could not even think about eating another one. They all made my stomach turn upside down while racing. (didn't have this problem with carb-boom, which I still eat on a regular basis). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken
a Racer
from Bridgman, MI
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1.00 | | Strengths: | Chocolate Outrage is great. Easy to use and does the trick for those needed calories/carbs for energy. | | Weaknesses: | Sticy as all get out - keep fingers clear | | Bottom Line: | Chocolate Outrage is great. Easy to use and does the trick for those needed calories/carbs for energy.
Sticy as all get out - keep fingers clear | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tommy
a
from Frankfort ky.
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Capital view park | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Sponsership from GU | | Strengths: | 1) lots of carbs for a gel 2) easy to open and eat on the fly. | | Weaknesses: | If I had to think up a weakness I would have to say tast, but what gel or bar really tastes good! Besides its not about the taste | | Similar Products Used: | Power gel, Clif shot, Hammer gel | | Bike Setup: | Lemond full DA with cane creek wheels | | Bottom Line: | What can I say its semply the best gel on the market. I have used GU all season lond racing Pro 1,2 and its fought of the bonk more han once for me.And did I menchion its the best gel on the market | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JOE
a Cross Country Rider
from ASPEN PARK,COLORADO, USA
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | COLORADO TRAIL | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$19.00 | | Purchased At: | PERFORMANCE | | Strengths: | I ACTUALLY LIKE THE TASTE OF THIS STUFF, I HATE FORCING DOWN THOSE DOG TURDS IN A WRAPPER. | | Weaknesses: | A LITTLE PRICEY, BUT NOT BAD IF CAN GET A CASE ON SALE | | Similar Products Used: | POWER BARS, CLIFF BARS, ETC. | | Bike Setup: | STUMPJUMPER M2 | | Bottom Line: | THE FIRST TIME I TRIED GU I WAS TOTALLY BONKING ABOUT HALFWAY THRU A LONG RIDE AND IT REALLY GAVE ME A LIFT. ANOTHER TIME, I WAS HIKING ABOVE TIMBERLINE NEAR BRECKENRIDGE AND I WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS WITH ANOTHER 500 VERTICAL FEET TO GO, I REMEMBER THAT I HAD SOME GU IN MY PACK AND IT GAVE ME JUST THE BURST OF ENERGY THAT I NEEDED TO REACH THE TOP. I DONT KNOW WHAT THESE OTHER PEOPLE MEAN BY GU HAVING A GRITTY TASTE, IT TASTES LIKE PUDDING TO ME AND IT REALLY WORKS, I TAKE A SHOT BEFORE EVERY RIDE AND I ALWAYS HAVE A FEW SPARES IN MY HYDRATION PACK. I AGREE WITH ANOTHER REVIEWER WHO SAID THAT YOU CAN GET A LITTLE JITTERY IF YOU EAT THIS STUFF AND DONT EXERT YOURSELF AFTERWORD. PUT SOME IN YOUR PACK AND WOLF IT DOWN WITH SOME WATER WHEN YOU GET TIRED. THEN YOU WILL BE SOLD. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Troy Warnken
a Cross Country Rider
from Cincinnati, OH, USA
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | nebo ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1.00 | | Purchased At: | bike shop | | Strengths: | instant energy, eat one legs get a full dose of spunk. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | powergel, cliff shot | | Bike Setup: | GT tequestra, marazocchi z2 atom bomb | | Bottom Line: | not just great for riding but great at intermission at a Phish show for bogging the second set. I can ride all day on gu and water. Tastes far better than any other gels I have tried. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SPO
a Downhiller
from RI
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Lost in Arcadia | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Compact size, 100 calories per shot. | | Weaknesses: | Choclate flavored GU gives the caffeine shakes. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | KHS FXT Sport | | Bottom Line: | Great for an all day ride, use a GU an hour and your good to go. Make sure you use it on an empty stomache for best effect. And spend a couple of extra bucks to get the 5 shot holder and the 5 shot servings, less mess to worry about on the trail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Yonkers, NY
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | tastes awful, price, too much sugar | | Similar Products Used: | Powerbar Powergel | | Bike Setup: | GT Palomar | | Bottom Line: | It's the worst power gel, use Powerbar Powergel it's much better. Oh, and for those of you who think that these gels give you energy, news flash they don't, they simply increase the time it takes for you to feel fatigue. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kathy
a Cross Country Rider
from Connecticut
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Tastes good, easy to swallow | | Weaknesses: | Dang sticky package to stuff in your jersey pocket when you're done
Only 100 calories or so
cost | | Similar Products Used: | Cliff Shot, Cliff bars, Power Bars, Luna bars, etc. | | Bike Setup: | C'dale SR500, Titus RacerX, Fisher Montare, C'dale road tandem | | Bottom Line: | It tastes good and is easy to swallow, so I eat (drink?) this stuff when it is too hot to want to eat solids, or when I'm racing and don't have time to chew. What bugs me about this and other gels is that they are usually around 100 calories per packet, compared to 200-250 for a typical energy bar, yet they cost about the same. I usually eat an energy bar and drink Gatorade instead on most rides. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
PANAYIOTIS KACHIHTIS
a Cross Country Rider
from SPARTA GREECE
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Taste.Performance. | | Weaknesses: | Availability.I can't get enough here in Greece. | | Similar Products Used: | Ultragel. | | Bike Setup: | Mongoose Rockadile | | Bottom Line: | GU is good-From the land of the warriors (SPARTA GREECE)
Buy it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CHAD CAPECE
a Racer
from EASLEY S,C
Date Reviewed: December 29, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
ISSAQUEENA LAKE TRAIL | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
EXTREMLY GOOD POWER FOR HARD RIDERS LOTS OF FLAVORS | | Weaknesses: |
PRICE AND SIZE | | Similar Products Used: |
POWER BAR POWER GEL | | Bike Setup: |
ALL FLAVORS | | Bottom Line: | BEST STUFF ON THE MARKET NOW AND WILL BE FOR A LONG TIME | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CDAleRider
a Cross-Country Rider
from Bellport NY
Date Reviewed: November 12, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
the long island expressway :-) | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Taste Great
Less filling | | Bottom Line: | They go down smooth and proivide the energy I need to finish those long epic rides. I just bought a whole case, I guess I'm set for Y2K | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bri
a Weekend Warrior
from Long Beach, CA
Date Reviewed: September 10, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
- love the taste
- goes down smooth
- most effective product i've tried
- fast acting | | Weaknesses: |
- slightly expensive per dosage
- significant sugar content | | Similar Products Used: |
PowerGel | | Bike Setup: |
1998 Trek 7000 ZX
also take some before playing hockey | | Bottom Line: | this stuff is GREAT -- i love it. only concerns i have are that i don't buy it that much
due to the price ($1.25, a little high or i'd eat it every day!). love to take this before a
ride or when i play hockey or just need some extra boost.PowerGel was actually the first of these goo products i tried and man, i never went
back to that ever again. not only did it not seem to give me that much of a boost, but
it tasted disgusting (tried the flavor that seemed least offensive to me, mind you). price seemed to be comparable.only other problem i have with the Gu (DIG that funky banana, by the way), is that there is somewhat of a high sugar content, which concerns me slightly. there is another product on the market i have yet to try that has next to no sugar and if you buy it in bulk it is cheaper, so i have been meaning to try that and compare. sugar is OK to me but i try not to ingest very much before exercising - first that they're empty caloris and also that it causes me to have a bit of an energy dip later on. fortunately, Gu is the only product on the market that i believe is capable of overcoming that due to the high carb content which packs a mean punch. so overall i find that not detracting enough for me to give less than 5 flamin' chile-o-ramas! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross-Country Rider
from Bethel, CT
Date Reviewed: August 10, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Great tasting, really works, good packaging. | | Weaknesses: |
Expensive. | | Similar Products Used: |
Everything else. Almost. | | Bike Setup: |
Steel XC | | Bottom Line: | If they werent so expensive this would be THE product for on the trail rest stops. But theyre so expensive. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt
a Cross-Country Rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: August 3, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Similar Products Used: |
PowerBar, Clif Bar, PowerGel, Clif Shot | | Bottom Line: | If you don't believe in the power of GU, let me smoke you on the trails a few times. I'll be kickin' *ss while you sit in the dust munching your lumpy, crusty, dogsh*t energy bars. I have tried a lot of different types of energy foods, and although I like Clif bars for a more substantial, solid-food boost before a ride, once you hit the trail, nothing beats GU. Sure, not the best tasting stuff in the world, but the Plain and Vanilla Bean aren't bad. Just shoot it and suck it down with some water. (NEVER buy the berry / chocalate / fruity flavors. ackk. ) You can actually feel it when this stuff hits your bloodstream. I guess bar type foods work, but a lot more slowly. Its almost too much energy too fast if you're not doing anything. I get jittery if I eat some and just sit around, whereas i sometimes eat a Clif bar for breakfast, etc. This stuff should come with warning labels - dont take it unless you mean it 'cause you will be flyin! GU POWER!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross-Country Rider
from Warsaw, IN
Date Reviewed: July 25, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Fort Custer | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: |
?? | | Weaknesses: |
Crappy tast
gritty, almost like sand | | Similar Products Used: |
power gel from power bar | | Bottom Line: | Tried three different flavors, didn't like any of them. I had to drink lots of water just to get it down the hatch and lose the taste. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
William R. Hayles
a Weekend Warrior
from Jacksonville, Fl
Date Reviewed: June 16, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Santo trail | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Gave me a boost of enegry instantly.Energy lasted for duration of 20 mile ride. Great flavor (Chocolate). | | Bike Setup: |
Trek 800 Sport Singletrack | | Bottom Line: | Great Product! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
eric
a Cross-Country Rider
from sf, ca
Date Reviewed: June 12, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
most | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
good tasting, vanilla bean anyway
nice quick burst of energy to get to top of hill | | Weaknesses: |
only quick burst of energy
orange flavor | | Similar Products Used: |
power gel, clif shot | | Bike Setup: |
single speed | | Bottom Line: | this is the best stuff for a short burst of energy to get to the top of the hill. i try never to go on a ride without one of these going with me | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Greenoe
a Cross-Country Rider
from Lorain,Oh
Date Reviewed: June 12, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Tastes Good, Vanilla anyway | | Weaknesses: |
Not a big kick of energy | | Similar Products Used: |
powergel | | Bike Setup: |
Zaskar Le with A judyXC | | Bottom Line: | It tastes better than that powergel S*H*I*T and i guees taste is the bottom line. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from Waterford, CT
Date Reviewed: April 6, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Bottom Line: | After trying this stuff all I can say is eh. I have tried four other types of gel supplements and have to say that Hammergel is the best by far when compared to Gu, Powergel, and the Clifshot. Gu was actually the least yummy of the bunch. I give it 2 flames. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bean
a cross-country rider
from IN
Date Reviewed: November 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Gu reminds me of a thick sludgy mixture of sand, mud and honey. I hate its consistency. The aftertaste is horrible too. I don't feel a difference like I do with Powergel. This stuff is for amateurs | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Larry
a cross-country rider
from AZ
Date Reviewed: November 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Great stuff, don't leave home without it! Been using it for 2 years,
prefer the vanilla bean, but got some bannana to try next. Send in free
empties and the company sends you some more GU and stickers, pretty cool.You really do feel it work in a few minutes, and except chocolate, the flavors
are all good.
Bought a case of Clif Shot, and it did'nt taste as good or work as well, and
most of them exploded in the box.
Good stuff that GU! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Domina
a cross-country rider
from VT
Date Reviewed: October 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
GU kicks ass it tastes great and realy works I usew it all the time and love the stuff. It beats any other compant by far. I don't have a favorite flavor because all the flavors are equally great. I never go uot without the stuff. I hope you keep on producing the stuff. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
eric bonin
a cross-country rider
from daytona beach,fl
Date Reviewed: October 3, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
this stuff is the best. GU tastes and works the best. i'm the hard corest mtber on the plante. when in jim thorpe pa. my friend and i ate it for lunch. for a snack for energy and for a treat gu kicks butt. i wish i wasn't going to college in fl so i could eat gu and bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
eboos
a racer
from Santiago, Chile
Date Reviewed: September 6, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This stuff was recommended to me by a female friend who runs marithons, who also made a desgusting comparison between it's texture and that of a certian bodily fluid. Getting past that I think this stuff works good. Only problem is that it's sticky and messy, also like a certian bodily fluid. I should use this stuff more, but I'm too lazy. The packets it comes in are a bit of a pain in the a#%. I've cut my lip on them several times. Unless you want to be a d*ck and litter, you have to put the packet back in your pocket which leaves a sticky mess. I'm going to get a flask for it soon. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Drew Shuller
a weekend warrior
from Austin,TX
Date Reviewed: July 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
GU is awesome stuff. It works fast and provides a lot of energy, so if you bonk you can get it back up.I took some of this stuff on a hot day after about 8 miles, and 20 minutes later, I had enough energy to ride the remaining 8 miles with no problem. It gave me a good enough energy boost to kick my buddy's butt!! I felt like Superman!! The Ginsing might have something to do with it...The stuff really does not taste very well, but you get used to the taste and texture - now I'm addicted!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a downhiller
from Groveton, NH, USA
Date Reviewed: July 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This stuff sucks. I bought some for 1.00 at a local bike shope, and I will never do it again, I had vinilla bean and it tasted like Shit on rhy. Don't try it! The only reason I am writing more about this stuff they call energy supliment is because this artical has to be more than 50 words. DON'T BUY IT. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a cross-country rider
from NYC
Date Reviewed: July 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I first tried Go when I was in California. It worked very well and I got hooked on it. I brought some back to NYC because they don't sell it here but when I run out I bought Power Gel. It works just as well but the taste so much better. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a cross-country rider
from Bethel, CT USA
Date Reviewed: May 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
GU is AWESOME!!!! This stuff is the best working energy food ive tried! The taste is really good, and it works. Take it on an empty stomach with some water and you're all set, but i'd suggest taking 2 or mroe on longer rides, cause one GU lasts around 2 hours for me. Clif stuff is also great, but ever since I've tried the gels, GU and Clif Shot, the Clif Bar got to be a pre-ride thing. GUs work better than Clif Shots for me, but Clif Shots give you 2 servings per container, and has a closeable tube, but why would you want one for GU? I take the whole thing at once. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
GU-ross
a weekend warrior
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: May 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought a case of the mixed flavor variety a while back in September, and I am still tryng to finish these awful tasting gels. I really love the strawberry-banana Powergels, but GU flavors just don't do it for me. It's kind of hard trying to choke down really thick chocolate frosting gel on a hot day when you're parched. I think if these gels were just a bit thinner and less sweet they would be good. Also, I don't feel any surge of energy like i get from the Powergels. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a cross-country rider
from SLC, UT
Date Reviewed: April 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The BEST!! I've tried the chocolate outrage, just plain, and the vannila bean but I think that the chocolate outrage is the best even though all of them are good. Much better than POWER GEL! Yuck!! GU gives you tons of energy ( all energy gels do). The only complaint I have is the price because once you get a bunch of these things it adds up to a lot. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jacob Madsen
a cross-country rider
from Salt Lake City, Utah
Date Reviewed: March 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Energy gels is the only way that you will get Carbohydrates into your blood stream fast when biking. Bars will sit undigested in your stomach for up to an hour because your body doesn't have the energy to digest the food. Gu is by far the best tasting gel on the market today and the new flavor Tri-Berry is excellent for summer rides. One thing that I have noticed with the Gu gel is that I will get the shakes a bit but this doesn't bother me when riding just afterwards. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Koeneman
a racer
from Minnesota
Date Reviewed: February 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Gu is a great product to use training and in races. It's is easy to open while competing, when I don't want to be fumbling with food. It tastes better than other products and the serving size is just right. The extra boost from ginseng is an added bonus to this great product. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carl E.
a cross-country rider
from Las Vegas
Date Reviewed: January 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Vanilla GU is the best tasting energy gel ever! It beats all the other energy bars too for taste and performance. I find that the energy bars are difficult to eat, both taste wise and especially with power bars, the wrapper is a pain to pull off. The plain flavor GU is also good but The vanilla's so good you could use it as ice-cream topping...after your ride! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave H.
a cross-country rider
from Pittsburgh, PA
Date Reviewed: November 3, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
If you are one, like me, to have a weak stomach, or the feeling of nausea and possibly vomitting is not new to you when you give your all, GU is for you! In everyday rides I use it somewhere after I ride for 30 to 50 minutes, washed down with water (always with water). On planned long rides I use it right from the start as I jump on the bike as a 'breakfast' food (of course in all circumstances we with weak stomaches cannot eat anything solid for two hours before a hard work-out), then every 30 to 40 minutes after that. GU assimilates easily and quickly, and like some reviews have said: It is the only product/gel that you can actually feel a boost from after a close encounter with bonking.
I think the chocolate is good for colder days, but too thick-tasting for hot summer rides. You will become used to the orange (a lighter than orange fruit loop taste) and the vanilla soon enough. The price seems high until if and when it becomes the only energy food you can use.
Remember: Don't litter! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Casey A. Jones
a cross-country rider
from Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Date Reviewed: October 19, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
GU to me is the best out of all the gels. I have no idea what the pocket rocket people are thinking,their gel tastes like garbage!The power gel to me is too sweet, especially during a race, when you're super cotton-mouthed. The chocolate GU is smooth,gives good energy, and tastes like pudding without the sweet aftertaste. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
celly
a cross-country rider
from Calgary, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 18, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I think GU is great stuff. I love the chocolate flavour. Much like other reviews, it tastes like frosting, unless it gets warmed up. It's pretty runny then but still good.Because it's a tad pricey, I still rely mainly on Clif Bars for energy but always bring GU along to get me through the end of a ride if I feel a bonk coming on. A few weeks back I was feeling a bit weak but pushed on because the ride was almost done. Then I sort of blacked out and wiped out because my tank was empty. As I lay on my back in disbelief I realized I had the shakes a bit. I opened a GU and I was instantly brought back to life and rode the final 10 minutes of the ride real quick. I often tap into one at the end of a ride now after tha experience. They come in handy on raunchy downhills after the legs are a bit rubbery after climbing all day.Another testimonial came from my brother who lives on Vancouver Island. After a big night of partying the night before, my bro wasn't so anxious to go riding up around Burnt Bridge (Vancouver Islanders know the area well). I gave him some GU and we had to put a leash on the guy. All the sudden he was quite keen to hit the trail and rode like a madman! What a transformation.I wish it was a bit more reaonable on the price side but it serves it's purpose as an emergency fuel source for me. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephanie C
a weekend warrior
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: August 18, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Here goes for another woman's review - EAT GU!!!! This stuff is great. I use it primarily during races (triathlons and 5k runs), and occasionally during long workouts, and I am a believer. Two Gu's got me through a tri a couple of weeks ago feeling great and really giving it my all, and I used one for breakfast before a 5k yesterday - and shaved more than 2 mins off my PR. I take it with me on long rides just in case I get tired and need a boost to get home. As for carrying, look for the nylon Gu packs - they clip onto your shorts (small enough that you don't even notice it's there) and have separate compartments for fulls and empties - no littering, and no sticky mess on the full ones.Melissa, I have occasionally felt a slight reflux 15-20 mins after taking it, but have never thrown up or even really felt like I would. Did you take on an empty stomach? Not sure it would mix too well with food! But the stuff is great and I am convinced it makes all the difference, so I reiterate - EAT GU! :) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brad
a cross-country rider
from seattle, wa
Date Reviewed: July 22, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I was a longtime user of Powerbars (chocolate) and over the past year have switched mostly to gels. I've tried Pocket Rocket, GU, and Powergel, and like GU Vanilla the best. Orange is OK but Vanilla is the best. I find GU gel the easiest to digest and most convenient to eat. I'll still eat a Powerbar once and a while to satisfy a craving for chewing, but mostly it's GU now. I just returned from a multi-week bike tour thru the Northwest and on most days, lunch was a couple of GU vanillas. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sharon
a cross-country rider
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: June 24, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Well, since the request was made for a woman's review on this product, let me put in mine. I use Gu primarily during distance running. I've used it in race distances from a marathon (26.2 miles) up to 50 mile off-road runs for the past two years and I swear by it. It really makes a difference in being able to finish strong as oppossed to 'hitting the wall'. I also know Ironman level triatheletes and it works for them too. Never has caused me any digestion problems. Nor have I ever heard from anyone I've met that it caused them nausea problems. I suspect that Melissa's problem were not caused by the Gu (maybe it was heat, bad water, sugary sports drinks, overexertion, etc.). It's kind of expensive, so on the bike I mainly use Power bars. I don't use Powerbars when I run because they are too hard to get down while running. I deduct 1 pepper because the Gu is sticky if you get it on your hands. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Melissa Booth
a cross-country rider
from Stillwater, OK USA
Date Reviewed: June 24, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
On a cross-state ride I tried GU for the first time on day 3. I puked and felt nauseated for the rest of the day. Not good at all. I notice women haven't reviewed this product. Perhaps its formulated for guys. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a weekend warrior
from Orem, UT
Date Reviewed: April 28, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
GU works, but it's expensive and has caffiene, both of which work against its appeal. I tried it anyway, but wuit using it, since there are lots of things in the grocery store which, if whipped up in the correct combination, do the same thing for me. I'll give it 3 stars since it does what it claims to do, even though I don't use it any more. I'm wa-a-ay too cheap. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jerboy
a cross-country rider
from San Jo Ca.
Date Reviewed: April 21, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This stuff really works, convine it with a Clif Bar and your are good for 50 miles of the Rosarito/Ensenada ride, I smoked all the mountain bike up el tigre hill, and at the end I was craving for more miles | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
greyson
a weekend warrior
from
Date Reviewed: April 19, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I use these for Karate, hiking, and mountain biing. They work great and
taste good. I haven't tried orange yet. Tastes better than Power Gel | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Conroy
a cross-country rider
from Vermont
Date Reviewed: March 29, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I thought this stuff was great! I felt an immediate energy boost from the GU. I was also impressed with the great taste and texture of it. You think you're eating fudge! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc
a weekend warrior
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: March 27, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Vanilla GU is easily the best product I have tried, either gel or bar. Since you don't have a review page of Clif Shots I'll mention that I bought a mixed box of them (based on my love of Clif bars when I need solid food on the bike) and the 4 vanilla malt flavor tubes exploded in my closet. I was left with a pile of residue that could have been used to bond aircraft parts together. No stars there.... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gu Angel
a racer
from Warner, NH
Date Reviewed: March 23, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Gu is great. I saved this guy arse one day by giving him 2 packs when he was seriously bonked...saw him later after the race; what a happy camper. At least he was able to finish. Cool stuff, get some. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jung Lee
a downhiller
from Berkeley, CA 94705
Date Reviewed: March 19, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This stuff tastes nasty, but it works. If eaten on an empty stomach and with water, you start shaking after a while if you sit around. Good for going uphills in the beginning before the stuff wears off. Then you get nothing but sweet downhills for the rest of the day!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
watson
a racer
from Maine
Date Reviewed: March 16, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have tried Cytomax, powerbars, and pocket rockets. Gu is my favorite training or especially racing. It satisfies m ycraving for food during hard races. Vanilla is my favorite, I don't like the chocolate. I have not tried the other flavors.
The only disadvantage is that some idiots leave the empties on the trails. How stupid could they be?
It would be nice if Gu came out with a large toothpaste type tube. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a cross-country rider
from Snohomish, Washington
Date Reviewed: February 19, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have been at this energy stuff since Brian Maxwell invented powerbars. They were great in their time but their time has passed. I try everything so I can be my own judge. Recently switched to cliff shot for all the same reasons I see in other reviews here: better packaging, more product per package. I am back to my personal favorite, GU. Two cliff shot tubes exploded (leaked all over everything) while just sitting in my closet waiting for me to use them. Not sure why but just the fact they did makes me nervous. Gu is the most consistent of the products out there and it works. There is nothing physcological about it. I bonked big time two days ago on a hard road ride and did a GU and 10 minutes later was back at it. What DOESN'T HAPPEN is the most important..if you eat GU before and during a ride or run, you will not bonk! I KNOW this because I have using energy products since they have come out. (I also saw the first clipless pedals come along while using toe clips). GU, just do it! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Kalina
a cross-country rider
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: February 4, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have been using Gu for the past two and a half years for my long distance running. Have done the last two Ice Age 50 Mile Trail runs on nothing but Gu and water with no problems. Gives a great boost in the last stages of a marathon too. Much easier to get down and keep down than energy bars (at least when I run). | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
D.D. Bartley
a weekend warrior
from Quincy, IL
Date Reviewed: January 30, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Actually I use GU for mountaineering. Works tremendously well and does give a burst of energy. It's easy to swallow and keep down. When it takes all your energy just to breath GU really is super easy to rip open and squirt in. I haven't tested the other gels yet but I give all the flavors high marks. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan D.
a cross-country rider
from Murrieta, CA
Date Reviewed: January 2, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I personally love the stuff. Tried the Powergel and it did not seem to do much for me energywise (although taste and consistency seemed o.k.). I also tried Cliffshot and found it far too sweet. The Gu seems to give me energy although my friend says it is only psychological. I figured he was probably right but on a recent ride I started out without taking any Gu and felt sluggish. After the first rest stop I threw down some Gu and my energy level really picked up. Psychological or not, I am a believer in the stuff. I have also tried all the different energy bars and Cytomax and they don't seem to work like Gu. I also like the taste and consistency although it is a little thick and needs to be washed down by a little water. Chocolate is good but has two grams of fat in it so I am switching over to Orange Burst which has no fat. The Orange is o.k. but not as good as chocolate. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonathan Paxon
a cross-country rider
from British Columbia, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 27, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
This product is great for energy but the taste and the feel of it going down is something to be desired. It kind of feels like you have flem stuck in your throat for the rest of the ride and whatever you do do not pour it into your water bottle otherwise you will not have any refreshing water left for the rest of the trip. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Lowe
a cross-country rider
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: November 9, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
So why such a low review? Well it's not that GU is a bad product. It tastes good (feels like you're eating cake frosting or something), provides a nice dose of energy, and doesn't need to be chewed. The reason for the low review is that the people behind the Clif Bar now make the Clif Shot which does everything GU does but doesn't have the annoying little packets to deal with (it comes in a toothpaste tube) and you get twice as much stuff for the same amount of money. Also since the Shot tube can be resealed you can use as little or as much as you need. Compared to this GU just isn't so great anymore. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ted
a cross-country rider
from PA
Date Reviewed: November 5, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
Gu is a fine idea, but I HATE seeing fifty million wrappers all over
the place after a race. I've used Gu and noticed that it picks you
up if you eat one partway through the race--that's good.Unfortunatlely, Gu does not taste like food. It sort of reminds me of,
ummmmm..... well, take a guess. Anyhow, Gu is good for race energy,
but bad for littering. A bottle full of diluted gatorade probably
works just as well. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Glenn
a weekend warrior
from Redmond, WA
Date Reviewed: October 30, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
For me these are way better than powerbars. They don't hang around in your mouth or feel like they're hanging around in your stomach. I like the Vanilla. Since I know it's not real vanilla or chocolate I don't expect them to taste great. They don't taste bad, though. Never tried the orange -- scary thought. Anyone want to start a company that makes cool flavors? German Chocolate Cake frosting? Mango? Choc. Chip cookie dough? Peaches?Since I don't get to the point of bonking that often I can't really compare them to other gels. However, I just returned from Moab (my first trip) and I can say a packet every hour or two helped me back from some epic rides. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug Savage
a weekend warrior
from Rhode Island
Date Reviewed: October 22, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I've been using GU for about a year now and I personally think it's the best booster on the market. For me it takes about 20 to 30 min to kick in and lasts approx.1 hr. I supplement GU with a powerbar and on a good bike riding day about 64 oz of Gatorade. The taste isn't really that disagreeable but I can see people complaining about the mouth feel. But hey when you're out in the middle of nowhere and can feel the bonk coming on nothing and I do mean nothing is better than GU. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George Crawford
a cross-country rider
from Turlock, CA
Date Reviewed: October 11, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
Good stuff!! The chocolate tastes like cake batter. It gets me over the hump
when I start to drag and goes down quick with not alot of chewing and water. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Will Cannell
a cross-country rider
from Mill Valley, Ca
Date Reviewed: June 24, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
Chocolate Gu tastes like ready-made frosting and if you are hungry and lagging it will get you home. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John D.
a weekend warrior
from PA
Date Reviewed: June 21, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
This stuff is nasty. As soon as I put a little in my mouth I spit it out. The taste is disgusting. I bought the unflavered kind. It was flavored though, like a couple 4 letter words. It's also a rip off. $1.50 | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lloyd
a cross-country rider
from Livermore, CA
Date Reviewed: June 13, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
It dosn't taste good, but for me it works as an energy booster. However,
using up all my water to wash it down isn't very beneficial. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron
a weekend warrior
from Coronado
Date Reviewed: June 7, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
Taste 'em at home before you take them on the road. I like vanilla, but others
like chocolate, nobody likes orange (that I know). The instructions say to take
on an empty stomach (works for me either way), and that you should swallow some
H20 when you down 'em (definately do this).
If you have a spare bottle cage you don't use you can buy these plastic
container that look like stumpy h20 bottles to stash GU in (you might be able
to stash energy bars in there too (maybe). Gives you a place to put trash on
the way back out.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan K.
a racer
from truckee, ca
Date Reviewed: June 6, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I didn't like it. I took it when I felt my energy going down on a long training ride. I know stuff kicks in about 20 minutes later. It did, but it only lasted for about 15 minutes and then I felt like I did before. Why pay a buck for each one when you can buy a past dispenser, that hikers use, and create your own tasty gel. I mush up banana and a little bit of honey. It's a lot cheaper and works.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Anderson
a cross-country rider
from Cary, NC
Date Reviewed: May 19, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
The first time I tried this gunky mixture, I was a little bit skeptical. I didn't think it would do any good for me
but my friend said it was worthwhile, so I carried around a packet until I needed it. On one particular ride
I was lagging quite a bit so I squirted it in my mouth and washed it down with some water and about 20 minutes
later I felt like I had eaten six bananas and I soon passed everyone in my riding group, which included some sport
and expert class racers.
It also has a great taste, in 3 flavors: orange, vanilla, and chocolate. The company also makes a plain version
to mix it with stuff like Kool-Aid Powder I guess.
It also is smaller than Powerbars and the like so you can carry more of them in your jersey pocket or saddle
bag | | Overall Rating: |
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