It was a year ago that we first reviewed a Mad Alchemy product. Back then, their product offerings were a lot smaller and they had a reputation yet to be forged. Fast forward 12 months and the name Mad Alchemy is synonymous with crisp fall mornings and the scent of race day (not to mention, the “Yankee mentality”).
Here at BKW, we thought it was only fitting that with shorter days and discussions of +1 lap, we take a look at a new product from the crew in Merrimac, MA: Mango Love. Mango Love is a non-warming embro that provides a water-repellent layer between the skin and the elements, delivering long on the PRO shine and, like all Mad Alchemy offerings, avoids the medicinal scent of traditional embros in favor of a more whimsical and fruity fragrance.
Overall Heat Rating – None. In fact, when traveling over 20 m.p.h., this stuff has a reverse effect.
Euro Style Rating – Wicked high. Keep the application to a minimum and you might almost dare to peel a light-colored short off without the post-ride leg wipe down. Almost.
Smell - Fragrant. Think refined car wash air freshener.
Durability – Surprisingly high. A towel will do the post-ride job, but Mango Love will hold off a light rain for a few hours.
Back in August on race day, I awoke to overcast skies, misty rain, and a 55-degree start temp. The borderline temps and promise of rain left me torn between proper leg warmers and an embro. With inevitable climbing temps and the fear of overdressing, I opted for the embro concoction: a mix of two job-specific ointments, which proved to be the perfect combo. For the critical muscles and tendons, I applied a layer of the Mad Alchemy Medium, a specific, targeted application. For a water-resistant barrier over the top, I applied an all-over layer of Mango Love, effectively trapping the heat beneath. The result: less heat, which was appreciated as the temps and efforts climbed, and a preservation of the heat (evident during the post-race clean up). The Mad Alchemy cocktail and the bid for overall mid-pack anonymity both proved successful.
Mango Love is served up in a tidy glass container with a clean PROfessional label and carries the endorsement of none other than the crew at Embrocation Magazine. Dip your fingers into the jar and one of your first sensations will be the smooth and buttery texture of Mango Love…a significantly different sensation than the granular coarseness of the Medium. Upon application, the Mango goes on with minimal effort, covering necessary areas with ease and resulting in a polished look. The sheen is evident even with a light coating and, when applied sparingly, the flypaper effect so common in oil-based products, is non-existent. With discussions surrounding temperature always being subjective, every rider has a varying tolerance for cold. With November temps varying as much as 40 degrees in either direction, the Mango Love will find its sweet spot between May and October effectively making it one of the best smelling and best all-around embros we’ve tried.
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this is great ive bookmarked this one hehe
Cheers Freddy,
I did try them – they are working on a Euro distributor but none at the moment. So it’s thro’ Embro Magazine only at the moment I’m afraid. I’m keeping the Mad Alchemy for special occasions only!
Velomonkey – Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. As I mentioned in the post, I found the allure of the non-warming embro to lie in it’s ability to give the legs a protective layer without over doing the heat. Additionally, the The Mango Love provided the right amount of glide to give the legs a quick rub prior to the starting gun. The issue we have seen with using baby oil is the mess – an issue not present with the Mad Alchemy and making clean up in the race parking lot a lot easier.
JC – Try contacting the folks at Mad Alchemy directly. If they are selling outside the US they will be able to connect you with the right people.
- RF
Velomonkey had it right. Non-warming embrocation is for poseurs. It makes as much sense as wearing $70 Rapha scarf while riding (another EM) favorite.
What would Jens Voight do?
Velomonkey –
I see your point. The only thing is, cycling seldom follows logic and many of the things we “need” as cyclists are dictated by emotion. This sport attracts the passionate and the (at times) obsessive, and as such, there will always be a market for $400 carbon handlebars that work just as well as a $70 alloy version, or a $600 winter riding jacket when you could get by with a $40 wind breaker and a couple of extra layers.
Is it silly to spend $20 on something that makes your legs shiny and smells nice, especially when you could just use some Vaseline and achieve the same result? Maybe. But if the $20 stuff makes you “feel” more put together, more connected to the sport, then I think it’s worth every penny.
Just my two cents…
Hi guys,
I live in the UK and tried to get hold of some Mad Alchemy products, but according to Mad Alchemy they currently have no European distributor. So I ended up paying $12 just to get postage over from the States. And that’s $12 per jar!! Not really economically viable. So how do we get it over this side of the pond without paying loads for postage?? Anyone know??
Cheers
JC
Velomonkey: YOu are the voice of reason on here and RKP. When you get your own blog I will read. SOmetimes when I read PAdriag or Freds words I get os caught up, then you bring me back down to earth!!!!
I love the reviews here, but come on, an embro for effect and sheen only. We used that all the time, it was/is called “Baby Oil” and it works just as well, is just as “PRO” and is a fraction of the price. I support the small guys, but this is a solution to a non-existent problem and it’s a wicked markup to boot. Anyone with this stuff will get noticed, but in all the wrong ways.
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