Spring is here. The Belgium Classics have begun and the weather this time of year is always a mixed bag. I purchased some new embrocation made in Belgium by a company called Qoleum. In March and April, the weather between sign-in and the final kilometers can go from -1 to 14 ºC wet or dry. These conditions are serious BKW conditions. All last season, I rocked the Freddy’s Wet and Cold (amazing stuff, by the way), but since I had read good reviews of the Oleum, I had to give it a try. To follow are some thoughts on the Qoleum HOT:
Today’s conditions: Overcast, mild, 4 ºC, no wind
The Qoleum is made from a 100% vegan base and goes on like wall paper paste: thick and gooey. Once it’s rubbed into the skin, it disappears nicely, leaving a dull BKW sheen (good for the cyclist who wants all the protection of BKW without the added “too Euro for you” look). The Qoleum went on and stayed on for the entire ride. Like all exceptional equipment, it went unnoticed during the ride and it wasn’t until I arrived in the warmth of my house that the burn set in. It took me a few seconds to realize what was going on and, in addition to the smoke coming from my knees and lower legs, I actually started to feel a bit of heat building in my core. Once I got into the shower I really felt the heat; in fact, I was wincing in pain as I tried to wash this stuff off. I had to turn down the heat of the shower and even break out the liquid dishwashing detergent. Man, that shit is hot and stubborn. I would recommend it if you are looking for the perfect linniment for an insanely cold cross race where you have a 45-60 minute exposure to the cold. But if you are looking for something for the spring or fall, Qoleum Hot is simply too hot..it’s the chinese pepper you accidently left in your scoop of friend rice! If you’re out on a group ride or putting in the solo training miles and it is cold enough for the Qoleum Hot you might consider some leg warmers or tights.
Overall Heat Rating – Insane
Euro Style Rating – Low, due to the dull sheen
Smell – Minty, PRO as hell
Durability – Extremely high, even dangerously high, this stuff sticks like glue
The weather will only get warmer, so stay tuned for some reviews of other BKW products including Sportsbalm, Freddy’s Choice, and Greyhound Juice.
| 
[...] didn’t really notice the embro on the ride although I must say my legs were not cold…at all. Compared to my hands (which is [...]
Steve- I never heard anything additional from the folks at Qoleum. This issue still leaves many in the industry scratching their head. Myself included. If anything develops I will be sure to update it here.
Thanks for checking in.
- RF
RF,
I spoke to the folks who import the Belgian Qoleum to the US at Interbike. They told me that Rebecca Day in NZ was indeed the original maker of this product, but that she had sold it to the company in Belgium. It was their impression that the Belgian company has the legitimate rights for the product line, and though while she might be the originator, Ms Day had no rights to continue manufacturing or marketing the products.
Touriste-Routier – Thanks for the update; a long awaited answer. – RF
I am reading this reactions and I am stupified ! You asked me for explanation on my products and never got an answer?
In fact, I never received an email from you! How can I answer then?
Rebecca Day left Belgium in 2002, leaving all her customers behind with paid but undelivered products, for a great amount, in Belgium, England, Canada, I have all the testimonies.
I have bought the rights from her company, when it was declared bankrupt here in Belgium, and started to manufacture Qoleum products, all adapted at my personal formulas, with my 25 year experience as physiotherapist/aromatherapist.
Today I am sponsoring big Pro Tour teams as Omega Pharma – Lotto(for 6 years already), Cofidis(3 years) and Garmin-Slipstream(2 years), they are all very satisfied with the great quality of my products, they all prolongued their contracts on their request).
Viewing my success, distributing in a lot of countries, the New Zealandian misses Day shows up again, as if anything had happened, telling the world that I am making counterfeit products! Rubbish! I have the rights on Qoleum worldwide.
To get rid of this mess, I am changing my name to QM Sports Care, it’s hard to bear such a lie and accusation.
I know Rebecca Day started in England, under the name of ‘Equilibrium Essentia Oleum’, in the late 90′s. She had to run away to Belgium, because she had token away a lot of money from her business partner.
Here in Belgium she is convicted to pay 10.000 euro to another business partner, that she swindled! It’s best for her to stay in New Zealand and do not show up in Europe, a lot of people are waiting for her, wanting to catch up with her!
Johan – Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I trust you can understand our position on this review and our ability to keep the Qoleum story straight. Following an email exchange with Rebecca Day last year it felt as though things had finally been sorted out. Apparently not. Myself and others who have purchased the Qoleum products from reputable sources in the U.S. only to be told that they were counterfeit. It is an unfortunate situation that you must change the company name however, I feel you may be on the best path given the confusion over the past few years. I wish you luck in the future and for BKW readers who are interested in where they can purchase your products I will provide a link: http://www.qoleum.eu/default.aspx
Thanks again for taking the time to write us.
- RF
I just received an email from Qloeum; stay tuned for clarification on the counterfeit issue and a review of the “real-deal” HOT!
Was there ever any update to this story?
Cheers,
Steve
ar as I can tell, Freddy reviewed the real stuff… I don’t think Qoleum has always used aluminum packaging. You’ll notice, too, they changed their logo from the one on Freddy’s tub of embrocation to the newer one found on http://www.qoleum.com.
Seemingly, this is the counterfeit: http://www.qoleum.be
Just a quick update on the counterfeit products. I sent an email to Qoleum per Qoleum’s instructions inquiring about counterfeit products and replacements. No response. Nothing. This last attempt marks my second attempt in the last 12 months to get clarification and a replacement as noted on the site. To date there has been no reply from them.
- RF
I got the plastic tub from WCP’s showroom and used it on a nasty 35 degree day in Minneapolis yesterday. Hot, hot, hot. The legs burned in the post-ride shower like nothing I’ve felt before.
Corey W – Sorry to hear the products you purchased were bunk. I sent a request to Qoleum for some additional info on the counterfeit products. While visiting their site thanks to Anon: 3-6 and I came across this:
“Be aware of counterfeit products in Belgium. Qoleum is a trade mark product made in New Zealand and has distinctive aluminum packaging. If in doubt please contact info@qoleum.com with where and when you bought your product and we will replace with the real Qoleum product!”
The stuff that I bought was extremely hot. So there was never any question about how it works.
Check back and as soon as I get word from Qoleum I will post it.
- RF
Yeah, bummer here too. I got the stuff in the plastic bottle and it contains about as much heat as toothpaste.
I have used other stuff that works. I am going to go the refund route with this garbage.
Next time something from the Record line, i know it is legit and works!
Apparently this IS the fake stuff. According to Rebecca from http://www.qoleum.com/ the stuff from Belgium is a knock off and they have been trying to get the Belgium company for years to stop using their name. And I quote
“Thank you for your inquiry regarding the real Qoleum. http://www.qoleum.com is the REAL QOLEUM which has been developed and tested on endurance athletes and manufactured since 1997.
” As with any good brand/product you will always be copied (just like buying a fake Rolex for $5 in China ) and yes we have been and still are fighting legal battles with regards to the fake Qoleum. “
So Freddy, maybe review the real stuff? I bought of couple of tins of both the fake and the real and I’ll let you know.
The day started out at 42 and went to 71 degrees when I first used this stuff. Great embrocation and review. Once it hit 68 degrees wow this stuff lit up my legs like they were chewing on a fresh stick of Big Red.
Unfortunately you have reviewed the fake stuff. Real Qoleum comes in a metal container and not plastic to prevent it degrading. Also it is made in New Zealand not Belgium by the wife of an ex-pro cyclist, Rebecca Day. Follow this link for the real deal!
http://www.qoleum.com/distribution.php
JBW – Tough to say if you got a bad batch. That stuff is warm, and sizzling when wet. From discussions with others who use embrocations regularly, not everyone gets the same results for whatever reasons. I would try it again and if it does not do the job, ask WCP to replace it. Thanks for reading. – RF
Dear Freddy,
I was real excited the first time i read about this stuff in this article. Ultra HOT embrocation equates to ultra HOT legs. last i checked HOT legs are P-R-O. so i ordered some from world cycling productions and slathered some onto the legs. i expected some thermo action, but felt nothing. It had the warming effect of jergins lotion. did i get a bad batch?
Sincerely,
Jonathan Wheeler
Living here in Nebraska, I use just a tad of Qoleum HOT AND tights for subfreezing rides. (I know, a sensible person would get on the trainer, but I prefer the great outdoors.) Of course, the post shower ride is a burner, but once I realized there weren’t actually flames and my skin wasn’t actually melting away, it was OK, a little another plane of sensory experience, even.
For what it’s worth, I was post toasty the entire ride from toes to the tips of my fingers during last night’s 1.5 hr ride. Temp 21 F, wind 17 mph.
Consequently, after using embrocation at my two biggest ‘cross events and now during road training, I’m a complete fan and will soon accumulate an entire range of products for every weather conditions. Must treat my legs better. Thanks for tipping me off to the embrocation. This newbie read it here first.
When can we expect a review of Greyhound Juice?
Please.
BT