How we score fuel, every number shown.
- The same rules for every brand
- Averages worked out 4 May 2026
The short answer
Each product's value score starts from what a gram of its carbs costs, against the live average for its category. Cheaper than most scores higher. Then a few things that matter mid-race move it up or down, and it is kept between 1 and 10.
1. The category averages worked out from the catalogue
| Category | Products | Average a gram | Spread (σ) | Range | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endure | 35 | R1.420 | R0.542 | R0.38 to R2.00 | Its average |
| Hydration | 4 | R1.540 | R1.917 | R0.49 to R4.41 | Fixed bands |
| Energy | 1 | R2.000 | R0.000 | R2.00 to R2.00 | Fixed bands |
A category with fewer than 8 products is scored on fixed price bands until it has enough to average.
2. From cost to score measured against Endure
| Distance from the average | A gram of carbs | In dollars | Score | Band |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| -1.5σ or less | under R0.61 | under $0.033 | 9 to 10 | Elite value |
| -1.5σ to -0.5σ | R0.61 to R1.15 | $0.033 to $0.062 | 7 to 8 | Good value |
| -0.5σ to +0.5σ | R1.15 to R1.69 | $0.062 to $0.091 | 5 to 6 | Average |
| +0.5σ to +1.5σ | R1.69 to R2.23 | $0.091 to $0.121 | 3 to 4 | Poor value |
| +1.5σ or more | over R2.23 | over $0.121 | 1 to 2 | Very poor |
Dollar figures at R18.50 to the dollar.
3. What moves a score the things that matter mid-race
Up
| Glucose with fructose (two carb sources) | +1.0 |
|---|---|
| Electrolytes included (50 mg sodium or more) | +0.5 |
| A caffeine option | +0.5 |
| Dense carbs with no gut warning | +0.5 |
Down
| Gut trouble flagged in the write-up | −1.0 |
|---|---|
| Drink-thin (carbs under 30% of its weight) | −0.5 |
| More than 2 servings an hour for 60 g | −0.5 |
4. The six numbers on every product page
Price per g carb
Price per serving ÷ carbsWhat a gram of fuel really costs, scored against its category's live average.By how far it sits from the average (the bands below)Price per 100 g carb
(Price per serving ÷ carbs) × 100The same cost, in a number that is easier to compare.Under R40 excellent · under R70 good · under R100 average · R100 and up poorCarb density
Carbs ÷ serving weightHow concentrated it is, which decides how it sits in the gut.Under 10% drink-like · 40 to 70% a standard gel · over 70% very denseSodium per 100 kcal
(Sodium ÷ kcal) × 100Salt for the energy it carries, against sweat losses of 300 to 600 mg an hour.100 and up excellent · 50 good · 20 average · under 20 poorCaffeine per serving
From the labelThe dose, for a lift late in a race.Under 50 mg light · 50 to 100 standard · 100 and up highServings for 60 g an hour
60 ÷ carbs per servingHow many an hour to reach a 60 g baseline.1.5 or fewer excellent · 2.5 good · 4 average · more poor5. Worked through a R15 gel with 21 g carbs
| Cost of a gram of carbs: R15 ÷ 21 g | R0,71 |
|---|---|
| Distance from the Endure average (R1.420) | -1.3σ |
| Cost score (good value) | 7.8/10 |
| High carb density without GI flag | +0.5 |
| Requires >2 servings/hr to hit 60 g | -0.5 |
| Value score | 7.8/10 |
Worked out with the same code as every product page, against today's averages. The same gel with fructose in its carbs, or with salt, would score up to 1.5 higher at the same price.
Why an average, not fixed prices
- It moves with the market: if fuel gets cheaper, the best band still means the cheapest few, not a stale price line.
- A gel is measured against gels, not bulk drink mix.
- The dearest and cheapest 5% are left out of the average, so one luxury product can't drag it.
- "1.2σ dearer than average" is a measurement, not an opinion.
See it on a product
Browse productsEvery product page shows its score and how it was worked out.
In the app
Found your fuel? Put it in your plan.
Glyco places it on your race course by time, at the rate your gut can take, and tracks what you actually used.
