TimothyH

Good or no?

I read that they were difficult to clean, to get the last bit of gel out of the corners. Is this true?

What if all the gel is not consumed during a ride? Does it have to be emptied or can a partially full flask be stored in the fridge for the next ride?

Dealing with individual packets while riding is a drag and modern bibs with raw hem won't hold them so you can't even look pro anymore.

So what brand or model is good?

Here is where cheapskates will tell me to recycle an old ketchup bottle or something...


-Tim-

BluFalconActual

I have one but don't use their stuff in it. I fill mine with a mixture of honey, molasses and just a little bit of salt with a few drops of water to thin it out a bit. I unscrew and clean the lid after I use it but because honey and molasses essentially never goes bad, I dont worry about cleaning the whole thing out until it's all gone. Rinsing it out with hot water does the trick when it's cleaning time.

woodcraft

Silicone squeeze tube works great-

Not slippery so it stays in the jersey pocket, covered end stays clean.

I also make my own syrup but have tended toward dried fruit & nuts lately.

https://www.rei.com/product/131772/h...ottle-25-fl-oz

blazin

I use something similar, but have found that using a slightly larger container than the GU flask (5.5oz/167ml) allows me to get a mixture (I use INFINIT Nutrition) that is not quite as thick as a gel, allowing for easier consumption, greater consumption (ie easier to eat everything in the flask), and easier cleaning.

I really like Hydrapak Softflasks. In fact, Hydrapak is the producer of most of the flasks and even water reservoirs in the industry, a lot just get designed or rebranded by other companies. I started off using the 500ml Ultraflask, but the shape of it (long and narrow) is not conducive to staying in a jersey pocket very well. I imagine the 300ml Ultraflask would be better for this purpose.

However, I’ve recently switched to mixing my liquid nutrition directly in my water bottle. For longer rides I typically carry 1 bottle of INFINIT, usually with 2 - 3 hours worth of formula, and 1 bottle of water. The INFINIT is isotonic and not very thick, so it doesn’t require being chased by additional water. As a result, I find that this set up is good for about 2.5, and up to 3, hours of my nutrition and hydration needs. In the summer, I might need more water and will resort two full bottles of water on the bike and a third with nutrition in my back pocket.

Jakedatc

This is what i use too.. easier to open and eat from than the usual plastic flasks. i think mine is like 2-4oz

valleysuper

I had an older version of the flask with a Velcro holder for my top tube. Used it racing triathlon. It was great. I only used 1 type of gel at the time so I would just squirt more in at the end of a ride to keep it full, rinse the cap off and keep it in the fridge.
Hot water rinse every once in awhile melted out the old stuff. Bought a 2 pack of flasks each year. You can buy gel in bulk to if you are not too picky on flavor.

cycledogg

Another user of this also.

Carbonfiberboy 

The only gel I've ever used is Hammer Gel. I used to use it frequently on rides, but changed on-bike nutrition and seldom use it now. Be that as it may, I put my Hammer Gel in a . . . Hammer Flask! I have a pint of Hammer Gel that's been in my fridge for years, and a flask of Hammer Gel that I replenish from the pint when it gets about half used. It's never been washed or cleaned out, and it's also been in the fridge for years. I take it out, take it on a ride or ski or run or whatever, use some or not, bring it back and put it back in the fridge. No problems whatsoever. Do this. Plus it's inexpensive for a gel, no mess, no package, nice in a jersey pocket or in its own stem holder, tastes good, available in many flavors including Expresso and is just plain good stuff.

f4rrest

Me too!

I have 2 or 3 sizes. Easy to access and clean.

TimothyH

Alright. Thanks guys.

I'm going head to REI to see if they have the squeeze tubes.

Its been a while since I checked the clearance rack anyway.


-Tim-

seedsbelize 

You could just use an old ketchup bottle.

DiabloScott

I used to buy HammerGel in the big bottles and use their "grenade" flask. Worked fine, cheaper than the individual packs... a little hard to keep clean.



One time I had a bunch left over and put it in the fridge and when I got around to using it on a ride a week or so later... I got diarrhea... I'm pretty sure that's why - bacteria love gel. So now I deal with the cost and hassle of individual packs.

Sy Reene

Anyone know how many ozs are in one of those single serving packets (eg. clif gel)?

fietsbob

I recall REI carrying what is essentially a reusable tooth paste tube like container, the bottom open, closed with a clip..

Now tooth paste coming in plastic tubes , you can recycle them as a similar container, cut off the bottom.
close it with a document clip.

TimothyH

So I looked at the GoToob product at REI and didn't like it. The mouth is too wide.


Gu is 1.1 oz. Most are similar.


Useful information right there. Thanks for the heads up!


-Tim-

f4rrest

[QUOTE=TimothyH;20254621]So I looked at the GoToob product at REI and didn't like it. The mouth is too wide.
/QUOTE]

You don't drink from the wide part. That's used to fill it when the lid is untwisted.

To drink, flip the top and squirt.

Jakedatc

[QUOTE=f4rrest;20254657]+1 you were doing it wrong haha. it is a valve type nozzle kinda like the inside of Camelpak bottles

valleysuper

I had a power bar energy gel on the counter.
41g. 1.4oz. 1 serving.

TimothyH

[QUOTE=Jakedatc;20254658]Doh! It was like 30 seconds before the store was closing, torrential rain, in a rush...

bruce19

https://www.hammernutrition.com/products/hammer-flask/

I like this one.

Sy Reene

Though.. are these liquid ounces or weight ounces? Most of the squeeze bottles I assume are labelled for liquid ounces (volume).

DiabloScott

No, it's weight/mass.

33g /single use
858g /26 servings = 33g = 1.16 oz

Sy Reene

FWIW, I found a measuring shot glass in the kitchen and squeezed a 34g/1.2oz clif gel into it. It comes out about 23-24ml or just a hair over 3/4 of a liquid ounce.

TimothyH

^^ Thank you Sy and Diablo!

Good information about liquid vs weight ounces and this confirms my experience today.

I used a 3.4 oz Gootube from REI. It works really well while riding and is super convenient. I was suspicious about the amount however when filling it and there was a bunch left over after my ride. Based on Sy's analysis above, 3.4 fluid oz was roughly equal to five gel packs, way more than I needed.

So yeah, the convenience is undeniable. It is super easy to gulp on the go and fits in a jersey pocket nicely. Cleaning was a matter of rinsing in hot water. The flips side is that one has to be careful about how much is packaged and used or there is potential for massive waste.

I'll probably get a 2.5 oz GooTube at some point. That will hold a little more than 3 gel packs.


-Tim-

Jakedatc

I just stick it in the fridge and top it off for next ride. as long as you cycle through it on a regular basis it stays good. When i get it really low I take the opportunity to wash it out.