Hammer HEED

Price Paid:  $20.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
San Gabriels

Bike Setup:
DeBernardi

Summary:
After receiving a sample of HEED that came with my order from hammernutrition, I decided I would buy a container and give it a go for a longer test. I've been using it for a little over a week now. It has a pleasant creamsicle taste and is fairly easy on the stomach. I advise starting light and working your way up to a recommended dosage. I usually have an extra bottle of unmixed water with me so I can choose when to have the electrolytes and calories.

All in all, I would recommend it for shorter rides taken with another calorie source. Heed combined with hammer gel and I am able to sustain a steady pace for three hours and don't have to worry about bonking out.

Strengths:
Taste, mixes fast in water, sweetened with Stevia.

Weaknesses:
Can be a bit upsetting on the stomach at first with larger dosages and no extra plain water source available.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
Giant TCR 2 w/Ultegra driverain

Summary:
I stopped toward the end of a 37 mile ride at my LBS to fill my bottles and they had me try the Mandarin Orage flavor of HEED. Honestly, I hated it. I had a slight milk taste to me that I found disgusting for on the bike hydration.

Strengths:
I looked at the cannister as I was mixing it and saw that it was low sugar.

Weaknesses:
Taste

Similar Products Used:
NUUN (my usual on bike drink with gels)
PowerBar Endurance (also not good)

Price Paid:  $2.00 at Sun Summit South

Favorite Ride:
Bellevue-Hailey Broadford Road

Bike Setup:
Kona Zing Supreme '06
Campagnolo Centaur '06 (Vive la up AND down multi-shifting!)
Campagnolo Khamsins

Summary:
Having had very little experience with Hammer products, but encouraged by both the shop owner and reviews on this site, I decided to give HEED a shot, for both my sake and so that it can finally get a review.

Please note that this is the review for the single-serving Mandarin Orange flavor and I only used half of it, just like I would with any other powdered fitness beverage.

The solution itself does take a couple moments to mix in the bottle, so I recommend shaking it vigorously and also giving it a few minutes after to really let the powder dissolve.

The product itself was interesting, to say the least and I'll outline its points in the strengths and weaknesses section.

If you're in a hurry, here's my summary. It's great stuff, but it may not be right for you. Buy a single serving packet and give it a go.

Strengths:
+ Great taste: The beverage does taste really nice. It's mild, but with a hint of sweetness and there also seems to be a bit of a slight fizz, which makes it go down really easily.

+ Health Benefits: The nutrition facts on this definitely don't lie, it's a really beneficial drink and at a low sugar cost, but only if you have the stomach for it...

Weaknesses:
- It may be just me, but I got really nauseous off the stuff and couldn't ride very well after about an hour of sipping at it according to my thirst. It's entirely possible I just messed up.

Similar Products Used:
Propel - Which also made me nauseous
Gatorade and Powerade - Both have a lot of sugar... watch out!
Emer-gen-C Sport Water - I recommend giving this a shot!