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review
Energy & recovery gels
Multipower Multicarbo energy gelMultipower Multicarbo Energy Gel

Multipower Multicarbo energy gel

9
by Liam Glen
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Jul 15, 2011

0
£1.10

VERDICT:

9
10
Very tasty gel that's easy to get down, at a good price - what more could you want
Weight: 
40g
Contact: 
www.multipoweruk.com
How we test

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Multipower's Multicarbo Energy Gel distinguishes itself from other gels by its low sugar content and use of a maltodextrin/fructose combination. This combo has been shown to increase the amount of carbs that the body can absorb in a given amount of time. Nutritionally, each 40g gel provides you with 104kcal and 26g of carbs, of which 10g is sugar. In addition, Multipower have included some electrolytes which should help with hydration over the course of a ride or race. The Multicarbo comes in a range of 4 flavours - Cola+Guarana, Cherry/Banana, Strawberry/Lime and apple - although we were only able to test the latter three.

Some interesting flavour combinations going on there and I have to say, I was well impressed with how good they tasted. My particular favourite has to be the Cherry/Banana which tasted very much like cherry yoghurt although the Strawberry/Lime deserves a mention too. Of the three, I found the apple flavour to be the least appealing - artificial apple doesn't really excite my taste buds - but I still had no problems getting it down. The reduced sugar content meant that there was no burning feeling at the back of my throat which can be a problem with some gels. Consistency wise, the mixture is quite thick but easily slides down with the help of a swig of liquid.

The packaging is compact and very easy to open with your teeth. It was easy to control the tear so that one end remained attached preventing the scenario where you find yourself stuck with a piece of plastic in your mouth and gel spewing all over your hand.

At £26.40 for a box of 24, the Multicarbo is at the cheaper end of the gel scale with a price per unit of just over a pound. Given the nutritional value and the taste, this makes it pretty good deal.

For those of you with allergy problems, the Multicarbo Energy Gel is gluten, wheat and nut free, and suitable for vegetarians to boot.

Verdict

Very tasty gel that's easy to get down, at a good price - what more could you want.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Multipower Multicarbo energy gel

Size tested: various flavours

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?

The benefits according to Multipower are the following:

-Energy boost with maltodextrin and fructose

-Provides muscles with quick release energy

-Sodium ensures effective uptake of energy into the body

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

Ingredients

Cherry-Banana flavour: Maltodextrin, Water, Fructose, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Citrate, Sodium Citrate, Acidifier Citric Acid, Flavour, Preservatives: Potassium Sorbate and Sodium Benzoate. Can contain traces of Milk, Soya and Egg.

Allergen Information

Gluten Free - Wheat Free - Nut Free - Suitable for Vegetarians

Nutrition Information per 40g serving

Energy 442kJ/104kcal

Protein < 0.1g

Carbs 26g

of which sugars 10g

Fat < 0.1g

of which saturated fatty acids < 0.1g

Fibre < 0.1g

Sodium 0.14g

Potassium 0.14g

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

The packaging is easy to tear open with your mouth.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Kept me going during some races and hard training rides. The tasty flavours ensured that I never felt like I was forcing myself to eat them.

Rate the product for value:
 
9/10

At just over a pound a gel, these are some of the cheapest gels out there.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Cherry/Banana and Strawberry/Lime flavours

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

See verdict

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 20  Height: 190cm  Weight: 70kg

I usually ride: Giant TCR Advanced 2  My best bike is: Canyon Ultimate CF7

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, sportives, mtb,

Multipower Multicarbo energy gel
Multipower
Liam Glen

For 5 years, racing was my life and I went all the way from a newbie bonking after 40 miles, to a full-timer plying my trade on the Belgian kermesse scene. Unfortunately, the pro dream wasn't meant to be and these days, you're more likely to find me bimbling about country lanes and sleeping in a bush on the side of the road.

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