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review
Energy & recovery gels
Etixx Triple Action Energy Gel + CaffeineEtixx Triple Action energy Gel with Caffeine.jpg

Etixx Triple Action Energy Gel + Caffeine

8
by George Hill
Fri, Apr 08, 2016 19:45
4
£2.49

VERDICT:

8
10
An expensive gel, but one that wakes you up mentally and provides heaps of energy
Weight: 
50g
Contact: 
etixxsports.com
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Containing 29.7g of carbohydrate and 21.9g of sugar, the Etixx Triple Action Energy Gel + Caffeine really packs in the energy. Most energy gels are around the 22-23g mark, and how much difference the extra 7-8g makes is relatively difficult to tell from a non-scientific review, but I certainly got a boost after using one.

Taste is pretty important too, and here it's... interesting, and will divide opinion. It's a strong kick which is almost alcoholic – the kind of aftertaste you get with a strong cocktail. This comes from the use of ginseng in the gel, which is meant to promote alertness and energy. Again, I can't claim to be able to give a definitive answer on whether this works or not, but the kick certainly seemed to wake me up a bit.

> Buy these online here

The gels also provide 40mg of vitamin C, which 'support energy production and protects cells from oxidative damage'. The science seems sound, and I didn't get scurvy midway through a ride, but short of using a science lab the effects are hard to quantify.

In terms of use, the gels have a tab at the top which is easy to undo on the bike, giving a defined area to bite and rip. Squeezing it into your mouth is also simple enough and you can get almost all of the gel out fairly easily, so you don't end up with a sticky mess of gel wrappers in your back pocket. The texture is midway between thin enough to easily squeeze out, and thick enough to not think you're just drinking flavoured water.

> Find more reviews of energy products here

At £2.49 per sachet the gels are fairly expensive, although bulk buying will lower the unit price. Based on the individual price, these are more expensive than other gels on the market, but with the additional 7g of carbs compared with competitors they're also likely to work for longer.

And overall, they work well. The ginseng gives them a kick that wakes you up – a bit like when you bite a piece of ginger, for instance – and you can certainly feel the effects of the gel after using one. Whether this justifies the slightly higher RRP will be your choice, but I'd be happy to use these for long rides or races.

Verdict

An expensive gel, but one that wakes you up mentally and provides heaps of energy

road.cc test report

Make and model: Etixx Triple Action Energy Gel + Caffeine

Size tested: 50g sachet, Red Fruits Flavour

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Etixx says: 'Triple Action Energy Gel contains different carbohydrate forms that release energy at different times providing a sustained supply of energy. These carbohydrates use different transporters in the body to help reduce saturation and increase absorption.'

Not a scientist, so can't accurately say this is the case, but the flavour is a real kick and gives a definite energy boost after use.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

50 g energy gel contains: Sugar Syrup 32 g (Dextrose 8% / Sucrose 55% / Maltose 6% / Higher sugars 31%) , Dextrose 6 g , Guarana (Seed) liquid extract (Paullinia cupana, alcohol, water) 1.5 g (3%) , Green tea leaves liquid extract (Camellia Sinensis, water, alcohol) (leaf) 1.5 g (3%), Ginseng (root) liquid extract (Panax Ginseng, alcohol, water) 0.75 g (1.5%) , Siberian Ginseng (root) liquid extract (Eleutherococcus Senticosus, water, alcohol) 0.75 g (1.5%) , Taurine 0.75 g , Ascorbic Acid , Preservative: Potassium Sorbate , Flavour: Red Currants / Cherry flavour , Water

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10

Good texture, not too thick, not too thin.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Gave me a really good boost, exactly what you need from a gel.

Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

Expensive compared with some, but given the added energy it gives, it kind of balances out.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Very well, it gave me a real kick when needed and the almost alcoholic taste really wakes you up when you need it.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The kick when you use it; the ginseng is a shock to the system.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The flavour will be divisive, some will prefer more traditional flavours.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your score

Works really well for an energy boost. The addition of ginseng also mentally wakes you up, which is surprisingly good.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 27  Height: 6 ft  Weight:

I usually ride: Cannondale Supersix Evo 6  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mountain biking

Etixx Triple Action Energy Gel + Caffeine 2016
Etixx Triple Action Energy Gel + Caffeine
Etixx 2016
Etixx
George Hill

George is the host of the road.cc podcast and has been writing for road.cc since 2014. He has reviewed everything from a saddle with a shark fin through to a set of glasses with a HUD and everything in between. 

Although, ironically, spending more time writing and talking about cycling than on the bike nowadays, he still manages to do a couple of decent rides every week on his ever changing number of bikes.

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4 comments

Avatar
rhabb999 | 8 years ago
0 likes

Sample was like downing a medicinal lime flavoured cordial.

Can't say it did anything other than prompt an "Euuurgh" much to the amusement of my fellow cyclists.

 

 

Avatar
Spangly Shiny | 8 years ago
0 likes

Free sample gave me the squits, and no it had not been tampered with.

Avatar
StraelGuy | 8 years ago
0 likes

Are you sure you didn't get it mixed up with your free sample from Home Car Mechanic magazine ?

Avatar
Ginsterdrz | 8 years ago
0 likes

Free with Cycling Plus this month.

Like swallowing engine degreaser.

Goddam awful. 

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