For long rides and specifically for races, picking the best energy gels for cycling can make a huge impact on your performance.
When it comes to energy gels, various factors need to be considered: the carbs per gel, the presence of caffeine, the price of the gel, and how the formula affects digestion at race intensity.
Energy gels help give you the fuel needed to finish rides with gusto and set personal records along the way. With so many options on the market, finding the right gel for your training and racing requires understanding both your personal needs and the science behind gel formulation.
To help you choose the best energy gel for you, here are the 9 best energy gels for cycling.
Best Energy Gels for Cycling: Find Your Fuel for Every Ride
Comparison Table: Energy Gels Ranked by Specs
| Gel | Carbs (g) | Sodium | Caffeine (mg) | Price | Texture |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High5 Energy Gel | 21 | Low | 27 | $1.10 | Smooth, easy-swallow |
| SiS Go Energy Gel | 22 | Included | 10 | $1.31 | Isotonic, no water needed |
| Torq Energy Gel | 22 | Low | 25 | $1.14 | Clean, no artificial colors |
| GU Energy Gel | 20 | Variable | 25 | $1.26 | Thick, easily absorbed |
| OTE Energy Gel | 17 | Included | 0 | $1.32 | Rich, with electrolytes |
| SiS Beta Fuel Gel | 15 | Included | 22.7 | $1.51 | Smooth, antioxidant formula |
| Maurten Gel 100 | 22 | Low | 0 | $1.71 | Hydrogel matrix, fast absorption |
| High5 Electrolyte Energy Gel | 22 | Included | 0 | $1.19 | Smooth, electrolyte-rich |
| Healthspan Elite Energy Gel | 20 | Low | 50 | $1.41 | Smooth, high caffeine |
Energy Gels Reviewed in Detail
High5 Energy Gel
High5 Energy Gel has been the energy gel of choice for many cyclists for years and is definitely one of the best energy gels for cycling. Founded in 1995, the brand has developed a reputation for making great energy gels used by some of the world's best athletes.
High5 Energy Gels are specifically designed to maintain performance while supplying the necessary fuel for long rides. Most importantly, they provide rapid and efficient absorption of carbohydrates, perfect for the cyclist looking to stay ahead of the pack.
High5 Energy Gels come in a variety of flavors, including a variety of fruity flavors, chocolate, and espresso.
Specifications:
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Carbs per Gel: 21g
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Caffeine: 27mg/100g
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Vegan: No
Price: US$ 1.10/gel · Carbs per Dollar: 19g
SiS Go Energy Gel
SiS Go Energy Gel is the perfect choice for the athlete looking for a quick boost of energy to stay ahead of the competition. Made with 100% natural ingredients, SiS Go Energy Gel has been a trusted choice of athletes since 2003.
This powerhouse of an energy gel provides carbs, electrolytes, and essential vitamins and minerals to help you complete your ride with energy to spare. It comes in small, single-serve sachets with flavors like neutral, orange, and caffeinated blackcurrant, so you can never run out of options.
Specifications:
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Carbs per Gel: 22g
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Caffeine: 10mg/100g
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Vegan: Yes
Price: US$ 1.31/gel · Carbs per Dollar: 17g
Torq Energy Gel
Torq Energy Gel is a popular choice for athletes looking for a great energy gel for their rides. Founded in 2005, Torq Energy Gel has developed a reputation for top-notch energy gels.
This energy gel is well-balanced in terms of nutritional content and tastes great. It contains no artificial colors or flavors or unnecessary fillers, perfect for the cyclist who values clean energy. Torq Energy Gels come in tasty flavors like sour cherry cola, coconut & lime, and banana.
Specifications:
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Carbs per Gel: 22g
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Caffeine: 25mg/100g
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Vegan: Yes
Price: US$ 1.14/gel · Carbs per Dollar: 19g
GU Energy Gel
GU Energy Gel has been around for over two decades, making it one of the oldest energy gel options out there. This energy gel is designed for athletes of all levels, helping them reach their highest potential as they complete their rides.
Featuring a 2:1 glucose-to-fructose ratio, it is quickly and efficiently absorbed in the body. GU Energy Gel comes in various flavors, such as orange cream and Salted Watermelon, and is gluten and dairy-free.
Specifications:
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Carbs per Gel: 20g
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Caffeine: 25mg/100g
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Vegan: Yes
Price: US$ 1.26/gel · Carbs per Dollar: 16g
OTE Energy Gel
OTE Energy Gel offers another trusted option for athletes looking to enhance their performance. This energy gel is designed with the highest quality ingredients to provide simplistic nutrition for athletes.
OTE Energy Gel contains electrolytes and vitamins to help athletes avoid dehydration and cramps. It also comes in various delicious flavors, such as banana and toffee, so that athletes can avoid the dreaded flavor fatigue.
Specifications:
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Carbs per Gel: 17g
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Caffeine: 0mg/100g
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Vegan: No
Price: US$ 1.32/gel · Carbs per Dollar: 13g
SiS Beta Fuel Gel
SiS Beta Fuel Gel is quickly becoming a leader among energy gels of the highest standard. It uses the power of antioxidants and electrolytes to keep athletes going during their rides, providing muscle-friendly energy.
Its combination of carbohydrates, caffeine, and electrolytes helps athletes reach their metabolic potential and crush their goals time after time. SiS Beta Fuel Gel is gluten and dairy-free and comes in a few flavors like rhubarb and custard, berry blast, and chocolate orange.
Specifications:
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Carbs per Gel: 15g
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Caffeine: 22.7mg/100g
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Vegan: Yes
Price: US$ 1.51/gel · Carbs per Dollar: 10g
Maurten Gel 100
Maurten Gel 100 is quickly becoming the go-to energy gel for many athletes. This energy gel promises to deliver energy quickly and efficiently, and it has a pH of 5 thanks to its patented hydrogel technology.
This allows the gel to be absorbed more rapidly than other energy gels, making it the perfect choice for long rides. Maurten Gel 100 also comes in a variety of flavors, like lychee lime, rockmelon, and holly berry.
Specifications:
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Carbs per Gel: 22g
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Caffeine: 0mg/100g
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Vegan: No
Price: US$ 1.71/gel · Carbs per Dollar: 13g
High5 Electrolyte Energy Gel
High5 Electrolyte Energy Gel is an excellent option for cyclists looking to replenish electrolytes while replenishing their energy stores. This energy gel contains sodium, potassium, and calcium to help the athlete stay hydrated and helps replenish electrolytes lost during rides.
This energy gel is gluten- and dairy-free and comes in various flavors like red berry, lime & lemon, and apple.
Specifications:
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Carbs per Gel: 22g
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Caffeine: 0mg/100g
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Vegan: No
Price: US$ 1.19/gel · Carbs per Dollar: 18g
Healthspan Elite Energy Gel + Caffeine
Healthspan Elite Energy Gel + Caffeine provides athletes with the perfect combination of energy and hydration. This energy gel contains 50mg of caffeine to give athletes that added boost they are looking for, as well as electrolytes and carbohydrates to help them hydrate and refuel.
Healthspan Elite Energy Gel + Caffeine comes in orange, citrus, and caffeine-free blackberry and elderflower flavors.
Specifications:
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Carbs per Gel: 20g
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Caffeine: 50mg/100g
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Vegan: No
Price: US$ 1.41/gel · Carbs per Dollar: 14g
How to Choose an Energy Gel for Cycling
Consider your digestive needs
Some cyclists prefer thinner, easier-to-swallow formulas; others do well with thicker gels. Isotonic gels like SiS Go don’t require water, making them ideal if you have a tight nutrition schedule.
Match carbs to your intensity
Standard gels with 20–22g carbs work for most endurance and tempo efforts. If you have a sensitive stomach, lower-carb options like SiS Beta Fuel (15g) digest more easily at race pace.
Factor in caffeine strategically
Caffeine gels (25–50mg) sharpen focus during hard efforts and races. Skip caffeine on easy rides or late-day training to protect your sleep.
Check electrolyte content
Gels with sodium and potassium help maintain hydration balance, especially valuable on longer rides or hot days. High5 Electrolyte and OTE focus on this.
Budget for the season
Price ranges from $1.10 to $1.71 per gel. If you’re training 3–4 rides weekly, that’s 150–200 gels annually. High5 offers best value; Maurten is premium but worth the cost for race day.
When to Take Gels While Cycling
For rides under 90 minutes
No gel needed. You have sufficient glycogen for the effort.
For rides 90–180 minutes
Start taking gels at 45–60 minutes, then every 45 minutes. Target 30–60g carbs per hour depending on intensity.
For rides over 180 minutes (events, gran fondos)
Begin gels earlier (30–45 min), take one every 45 minutes, and maintain 60–90g carbs per hour if you can tolerate it. Train your stomach beforehand.
On hard efforts (threshold, VO2Max intervals)
Take gels 5–10 minutes before you expect to peak effort, then every 30–40 minutes. You absorb and use carbs more efficiently under intensity.
Timing matters
Don’t wait until you feel exhausted to eat. Taking a gel early prevents energy crashes and keeps you riding strong through the final 30 minutes.
Hydration + gels
Standard gels need a small sip or two of water to digest well. Isotonic formulas can go without, but a small drink helps. Avoid overdoing water if you’re riding hard.
Best Energy Gels: Key Takeaways
The best energy gels for you depend on your digestive system, ride duration, and budget. For most cyclists, High5 Energy Gel, SiS Go Energy Gel, and GU Energy Gel offer the best balance of carbs, affordability, and reliability.
The SiS Go Isotonic Gel stands out for riders who hate the syrupy thickness of standard gels. Its isotonic formula goes down without water, which makes it the easiest option to take during hard efforts when grabbing a bottle is impractical.
If you race seriously or ride for 4+ hours regularly, Maurten Gel 100’s hydrogel technology justifies the premium price. The encapsulated carb delivery reduces GI distress at high carb intakes (90g+ per hour), which is where most cyclists hit a wall on long events.
Test every gel brand during training before using it in a race or century ride. Your stomach’s response to texture, sweetness, and carb load varies, and the wrong choice on race day can cost you hours of performance.