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OTE Blackcurrant Energy Gel

8
£29.00

VERDICT:

8
10
An easy to open gel that tastes pretty good and is easy on the digestion
Weight: 
932g

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OTE Energy Gel is a decent tasting gel that's easy to swallow on the move, and certainly seems to deliver an energy boost at much needed times.

I tried the blackcurrant gel, but it also comes in orange and lemon/lime flavours. The sachet is 56g and provides 82Kcal, 20.4g of carbohydrates (5.2g of sugar) and 28 mg of salt. Other ingredients are water, maltodextrin, fructose, fruit juice concentrates, thickeners and electrolytes (and a couple of others).

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OTE, a British brand that makes and tests all its products here in the UK, recommends taking a gel every 20-30 minutes of exercise, but this depends on how hard you are working.

The packaging is well designed in that it has clear instructions, the ingredients are easy to read, and all key information seems to be displayed.

The gel tastes fine. No better or worse than other gels I've tried. It's pretty thick, but not unpleasantly so, with a nice blackcurrant flavour. There was no funny after taste either, and I didn't feel the need to water it down. The consistency was about right.

There are also two ways to open the sachet, one for sipping and one for drinking it quickly, which I thought was a nice little touch. I did find it quite tricky to open one-handed, but just managed in the end.

I found the gel did seem to boost my energy levels and helped my performance. As long as you take it before you flag, it does seem to work.

I've had unpleasant effects from other gels in the past, but this one didn't seem to have any undesirable effects on my digestive system. This is an individual thing, though, and it can be a bit hit and miss.

At around £1.50 for each gel, it's not too expensive to give it a bash and see how you get on with it.

Verdict

An easy to open gel that tastes pretty good and is easy on the digestion

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road.cc test report

Make and model: OTE Blackcurrant Energy Gel

Size tested: Box (20 x 56g)

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 gel is designed for all sports when you need an energy boost.

OTE says: "OTE Blackcurrant Energy Gel is easy to use, contains carbohydrate and balanced electrolytes to deliver energy to your working muscles when they need it most. Professional athletes use energy gels when they need 'instant' energy or when the intensity of the exercise requires more carbohydrate."

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

Ready to drink!

Maltodextrin and Fructose

Neutral pH

Balanced Electrolytes

Light on the stomach

Natural, delicious flavouring

Free from: artificial sweeteners and colours

DualDelivery packaging system

20 to 30 minutes of energy (see our energy guide)

Suitable for: vegetarians, vegans, gluten free, dairy free and kosher

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

The gel provides a nice energy boost when you need one.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

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

The gel works well when used as intended.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

I thought it acted fast and worked well.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 35  Height: 158cm  Weight: 61kg

I usually ride: Scott Contessa  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: A few times a week  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, commuting, sportives, general fitness riding, mountain biking

 

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2 comments

Avatar
Iamnot Wiggins | 8 years ago
0 likes

If you're not going fast enough or riding for long enough, it begs the question; why bother with energy gels?

Avatar
smcc1879 | 8 years ago
0 likes

I got myself some of these. I can't comment on the scientific side of things, or any "energy boost" as I'm never going fast or long enough to notice, but they were tasty and easy to open. Extra cred awarded as they're British.

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