Best cycling snacks for fuelling on the bike

Fed up of gels and looking for some alternative cycling snacks to keep you going on the bike? Here’s some fresh inspiration…

By Rob Slade

Published: Friday, 26 May 2023 at 12:00 am

If you’re taking part in endurance sport that lasts for longer than 90 minutes, you arguably need to think about how you’re going to fuel it.

That’s because it’s generally accepted that by that point your body will have worked its way through its glycogen stores, which you’ll need to replace to ensure you have adequate energy to continue.

The general consensus is that the average person can/should take on 60g of carbs per hour from this point on, though how much your body needs or can tolerate will vary based on the intensity and duration of the activity, as well as how well each individual’s gut is trained.

In race scenarios, most athletes tend to rely on energy gels or drinks to keep them going, but energy bars can also be a great option on the bike leg of a triathlon, as you’re less likely to have gastronomical issues than if you’re running.

We’ve included a few bars in this list, but for a longer list, check out our reviews of the best energy bars.

Also in this list of the best cycling snacks, you’ll find energy chews, which deliver a hefty dose of carbs and can be a great alternative if you don’t get on with gels.

Speaking of which, we’ve decided not to focus on gels in this list given the fact that they don’t really feel like a ‘snack’, but if you want to have a browse of what’s on the market, take a look at our list of the best energy gels.

What you will find here, though, are a few examples of real foods that you can easily chuck into a top tube bag and munch on mid-ride, whether training or racing.

Best cycling snacks

Precision Fuel Energy Chews

"Precision

These portable chews from Precision Fuel are an appreciated alternative to energy gels on the bike but digestible enough for the run, too.

They’re a little like Turkish delight but less chewy. The neutral taste is cleansing on the palate, and, though we didn’t try them, we suspect the alternative of mint and lemon would be equally thirst-quenching.

The 30g of carb content is delivered as 2 x 15g chews. Again, splitting the sugar adds a usability that’s appreciated when looking to monitor intake in the deep throes of fatigue.

The ingredients list comprises just sugar, corn starch, water and citric acid. Good stuff.

Verdict: A worthy addition to your fuelling strategy and good alternative to gels.

Score: 83%