What the hydrogel actually does
Maurten's whole idea is one piece of food science. Carbohydrate at high concentration normally upsets the stomach, which is why most sports drinks are relatively dilute and why fuelling hard rides is limited by your gut rather than your legs.
Maurten encapsulate the carbohydrate in a hydrogel that forms in the acidity of the stomach, carrying it through to the intestine before it is released. That allows a far higher carbohydrate concentration than would otherwise be comfortable.
The practical effect is that you can take on more fuel per hour without the sloshing, heaviness and nausea that usually caps it.
Reading the range
The numbers are the grams of carbohydrate, which makes planning unusually simple.
- GEL 100 — 25g of carbohydrate in a sachet. The standard unit
- GEL 100 CAF — the same, with 100mg of caffeine
- GEL 160 — a larger 40g serving for longer efforts
- Drink Mix 160 and 320 — 40g and 80g respectively, mixed into a bottle
- Solid — a chewable bar for when you want something to actually eat
- Addition — flavour sachets, in orange, apple and cola
Working out a ride plan is then arithmetic rather than guesswork. Two gels and a Drink Mix 320 an hour is comfortably at the top of what most riders can absorb.
The taste question
Maurten tastes of very little. That is deliberate, and for a lot of riders it is the point — after three hours, a strongly flavoured gel becomes hard work, while something nearly neutral stays drinkable. The Addition sachets exist for riders who want flavour back.
The texture takes one ride to get used to. Try it in training first.
Common questions
Do I need water with the gels?
Less than with a conventional gel, since the hydrogel is already carrying fluid. Drink normally and you will be fine.
How does it compare to Amacx?
Different approaches to the same problem, and both work. Amacx have a wider flavour range and more formats; Maurten is the plainer, more clinical option. Both are in the nutrition range — come and pick a few at our shop in Scott Estate rather than buying a box of something you have not tried.
