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Zipvit Sport ZV7N Beetroot Nitrate Performance Gel - Cherry

6
£1.99

VERDICT:

6
10
Genuinely seems effective but pricey and taste is likely to divide opinion
Weight: 
78g
Contact: 
www.i-ride.co.uk

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Zipvit ZV7 gel is a power boosting, stamina bolstering prep that won't cause a stir at the doping controls and only boasts half the calories of Zipvit's other gels. Mid ride consumption proved an acquired art and the cherry flavouring was deeply unappetising.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the exact composition's a closely guarded secret but the idea is that you use it as part of pre-event carbo-loading. Zipvit recommends guzzling two or three sachets per day in the three days leading up to the event and a further two sixty minutes prior to competing.

Zipvit claims: "The natural beetroot nitrates in our performance gel are converted by the body into nitric oxide, increasing your power and stamina."

In common with the brand's other products, the thicker consistency is a double edged sword, preventing accidental and undignified wastage but requiring more gusto, especially in the saddle and it took several sachets before my pallet adjusted to their slightly curious taste. Thankfully, this didn't clash with their Z20 electrolyte tablets when dissolved in plain water and come the fourth day, I raced - an unofficial 10-mile time trial, completed in 36, rather than 38 minutes.

Using this as my control, I repeated the course several days later in identical conditions, consuming 350ml of supermarket juice during the lead up. Until the seventh mile there was little discernible difference, whereupon those disturbingly familiar symptoms of depletion kicked in, resulting in a distinctly mediocre 38 minutes 47 seconds.

Improvements were more apparent on long, steady outings, where I felt noticeably fresher towards the end of 40 and 50 miles.

Ultimately, these supplements genuinely seem to live up to their claims but are pretty steep compared with the alternatives, so I would suggest trying a few singular sachets before shelling out on a box of 24.

Verdict

Genuinely seems effective but pricey and taste is likely to divide opinion.

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Zipvit Sport ZV7N Beetroot Nitrate Performance Gel - Cherry

Size tested: 60ml, 24 sent

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?

"Our latest product in the ZV7 gel range. The ZV7N Nitrate Performance Gel is an all natural product specially formulated to be taken in the lead up to your event. The natural beetroot nitrates in our performance gel are converted by the body into nitric oxide, increasing your power and stamina.

DIRECTIONS: For maximum benefit, take 2-3 gels per day in the 3 days prior to your event, followed by 2 gels an hour before your event. The ZV7N gels contain half the calories of our standard gels".

Does exactly what it says in the blurb but at a price.

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

Nutrition

per 60ml serving:-

Energy 98.7kcal

Protein 0.1g

Carbohydrate 24.7g

Sugars 2.1g

Fat 0.13g

Saturated Fatty Acids 0g

Fibre 0g

Sodium 0g RDA

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
6/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
6/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
6/10

Can prove tricky to consume mid ride.

Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

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

Overall and when directions are followed to the letter, these certainly add a welcome boost on longer/more intense rides. However, taste was tolerable rather than tantalising and this sort of outlay is the stuff of elite, rather than average racers.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Effective.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Tasted "meh"; quite pricey too.

Did you enjoy using the product? Enjoyed the effects but not the taste.

Would you consider buying the product? No.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Would suggest trying a few loose sachets before committing to a box of 24.

Overall rating: 6/10

About the tester

Age: 40  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

 

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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3 comments

Avatar
MrsK | 9 years ago
0 likes

I prefer the Beet It shots. You know it is doing something when you get s nitrate headache after 2. The gels I find revolting. I had one before a race and was nearly ill on the start line. Red sick is not a good thing.

Avatar
Airzound | 9 years ago
0 likes

No nubstitute for genuine beetroot! Don't waste your money on this rubbish.

Avatar
sam_bennett | 9 years ago
0 likes

Is the insinuation that the caffeine ones do raise issues at doping control? I've always been iffy as to whether they are OK to use

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