Do you take gels during a race?

Try the gels out in training.  I can't remember the name of the gels that I use, but I take them with water, due to the exact reasons you've outlined.

 If you find in training that no gels work for you then you could try energy drinks.

 My two cents...

I take gels straight and then wash down with water.  It is a good way to make me drink, because I tend to drink too little if left to my own devices.  I find it easier to take them when they are slightly warm than when they are cooler as they thin out a bit (I use Gu).  If I don't use enough liquid I will get a little bit of the sweet/cotton mouth which I feel like makes me thirstier. 

Follow the golden rule whatever you do and don't race with anything you don't train with.  I thought I could eat a banana between the swim and bike - ummmm, not so much.  I found that out in training, though and learned that I can only use liquid for the first little while after I come out of the water.  Try something different every time you train to find what works best for you.

I use gels.  I think you answered your own question though - don't try anything you haven't trained with!  Gels HAVE to be washed down with lots of water (read packet for suggested amount but I use 4-6oz) so they are not too concentrated in your gut.

If you really don't like them though there is absolutely nothing wrong with just using a sports drink eg Gatorade or Gatorade Endurance which takes care of calories, salts and hydration.  Often in shorter races I will take a gel just before the start and then just use Gatorade Endurance 

I use them all the time with no problems.

However, I did experience something similar in my first HIM when I came out of the swim and got up to speed on the bike I started my nutrition plan (gels on 45 minutes).  The first one I did made me gag big time and I couldn't breathe!  So I didn't take another one the whole time.  Made for a long, painful race ....

Later though I figured it out.  After a longer swim I get really phlegmy.  If I do not seriously clear my throat and hauck a big old nasty loogy (basically almost make myself throw up to clear the phlegm), it plagues me for a long time after.  Since I've figured that out and done it I have not had any more issues.  Plus I changed gel manufacturers as well.

Always practice what you will do at a race.

If you are doing a sprint or Oly and drink Gatorade or calorie sports drink you may be able to get enough calories just from the drink.  Gatorade or Gatorade Endurance is 50 calories per 8 oz.

I take gels on the bike and on the run and even now swimming as I'm practicing my IM nutrition plan in all my training.

Hate 'em.  I tend not to use 'em.

Sports drink, water, some candy.  Maybe a banana. 

For any Tri I usually take one right before the swim.  This past weekends Sprint I forgot to take one beforehand and was fine the whole race and only had a banana and coffee when I woke up.

Now for longer distances nutrition will play a key and there are several methods to it depending ont he race length.  If you haven't already read this to learn more about it.

If you still want to do a gel on the bike, you can always premix it in a gel flask like this one. 

Hey, FYI.  Think about coming over to the East coast (Melbourne) in early Oct for the Space Coast Triathlete Club/Health First Oly and Sprint triathlon , its a great race!

I've never used one but you could give one of these a try  www.gel-bot.com

I would say that replenishing glucose is necessary in any race over an hour. In an Oly I take a gel before the swim and take a hit off a gel flask every 20 min on the bike. I find that if I dilute 4 gels with water in a 10 oz flask they go down very easy, I still wash down with some water.

Taking a swallow every 20 minutes equates to a little less than 2 gels in the  bike leg. I will take a hit a few minutes before T2 and that pretty much carries me through the run leg. I'll take some water and Gatorade at the aid stations on the run.

This diluted mixture works very well for me on my long rides as well. On a century ride I will load 12-14 gels in a 24 oz water bottle and take a hit every 20 minutes and mix in some solid food as well. It's nice to finish a 100+ mile ride and still have energy left to deal with the rest of the day.