Mix this up at the suggested strength and this energy drink powder is isotonic – meaning that it contains a similar concentration of dissolved particles to your body. At that level, we really like the taste – it’s not too sweet like some energy drinks, so you’re inclined to carry on drinking and keep your hydration level up.
You mix 35g of the powder into 500ml of water – a small waterbottle’s worth – and that’ll give you 134 calories of energy, including 33.3g of carbs. Those carbs come in PowerBar’s C2 Max mix of two parts glucose to one part fructose, which they reckon increases the amount of carbs that you can digest and use during exercise. Maybe it does – it’s impossible for us to say for sure – but you’re certainly getting a good source of fuel here.
Electrolytes in the mix improve your body’s absorption of the fluid and also help replace the minerals you sweat out as you exercise, so you stay on top of your game for longer. You can taste these salts slightly but not in a bad way – the flavour is still good. As well as the Berry version we had, it’s available in orange and lemon too.
You get 40 servings per tub – translating into 20-litres of drink – so the price is reasonable.
Verdict
Fine-tasting energy drink with added electrolytes for fast hydration - we like it
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Powerbar Energize isotonic energy drink
Size tested: 1.4kg
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes, tastes good and fuels you well
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
About the tester
Age: 36 Height: 184cm Weight: 74kg
I usually ride: My best bike is:
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, sportives, general fitness riding, mtb,
Mat has worked for loads of bike magazines over 20+ years, and been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. He's been road.cc technical editor for eight years, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. We send him off around the world to get all the news from launches and shows too. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a past winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer.