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.