Water vs Sports Drink

January 29, 2026 February 28, 2026 by Chris Reynolds in Hydration 1 min read

Anything under an hour, water is fine. Past that, you need electrolytes — specifically sodium. Learn this before a long summer ride or your legs will teach it to you the hard way.

Chris Reynolds

Author & Expert

Chris Reynolds is a USA Cycling certified coach and former Cat 2 road racer with over 15 years in the cycling industry. He has worked as a bike mechanic, product tester, and cycling journalist covering everything from entry-level commuters to WorldTour race equipment. Chris holds certifications in bike fitting and sports nutrition.

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