Chain lube: do you still need convincing?

[AndreZA]

The best wax lube yet

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2008/tech/quickspin/bikinventions_squirt_lubricant08/Bikinventions_Squirt_bottletn.jpg

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2008/tech/quickspin/bikinventions_squirt_lubricant08/Bikinventions_Squirt_on_chaintn.jpg

Not long ago, wax-based chain lubricants were hailed as the be-all-end-all, promising cleaner drivetrains, quiet operation and good longevity. After years of searching, Cyclingnews technical editor James Huang finally comes across one that actually lives up to its billing.

Bikinventions' whimsically-named Squirt comes off as just yet another wax-based chain lubricant but quickly proves itself to be different from the norm. It's far more viscous than other wax lubes, it doesn't stink and it doesn't settle much over time.

According to Bikinventions' Dewet Marais, this is because Squirt uses a water-based carrier instead of a more volatile organic solvent. This allows for a far higher-than-normal 40 percent wax-to-solvent ratio, a true wax-water emulsion that requires little shaking (if at all) and the slower-evaporating water lets the wax seep further into the chain, too.

As with other wax lubes, Bikinventions still recommends that you start with a squeaky-clean chain completely devoid of other lubricants or degreasers before the first application. Indeed, we got the best results using this procedure but were still surprised with Squirt's performance just by slathering it on.

In short, Squirt is easily the best dry-conditions wax-based lubricant we've used to date and the only one we've encountered that can last more than a single ride out in the impossibly fine dust of Moab, Utah and Fruita, Colorado. Chains stayed quieter and smoother for longer periods of time, and even remarkably clean over our six-month test period. Moreover, Squirt's impressive longevity also means you don't have to use as much of it so the bottle lasts longer.

As usual, though, wet conditions are Squirt's Achilles' heel. While its durability was still far better than other wax lubes we've used (enough to justify its use over messier wet lubes in some cases), true wet lubricants are still the way to go when the rain starts coming down. Also, since the water-based carrier evaporates more slowly, you have to allow more time after application before you head out lest you fling all the lube on to ground.

Even so, Bikinventions' Squirt has singlehandedly turned our opinion around for wax-based chain lubricants. This one actually does what it says and does it well, and it's now the first bottle we reach for when heading out in dry conditions. Bravo!

Price: US$10.00 (4oz bottle)
Pros: Superb performance in dry conditions that finally lives up to wax-based billing, surprisingly long lasting, drivetrains stay cleaner and quieter longer
Cons: Still not the best choice for wet conditions but far better than other waxes
Cyclingnews rating: http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech/ratings/50.gif
More info: www.squirtlube.com

Taken from

 

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2008/quickspin/bikinventions_squirt_lubricant08

 

 

[controlc]

I'm still not convinced!

 

I bought my first [and last] bottle of squirt at the end of last year. Squirt = evil IMO.

 

It DID NOT last more than one ride [my drivetrain started making ghost buster style noises at about 80km] and there was ALWAYS a hard [wax?] black residue on my chain after one ride which looked like paint flaking off. The black "flakes" was still there when I replaced the chain & cassette. It's a pain removing those flakes after each ride.

 

I tried Pedro's wax lube, which did the same as Squirt, but to a lesser degree. I'm now using the "oily" version of Pedro's [can't remember the exact name ] and it works like a charm. A drop per link, whipe clean, wait a couple of minutes and I'm off. For me it lasts about 5 rides before I simply have to relube. No black "flakes" to worry about!

 

 

[Fulmenicilus]

In my experience the dry lube will last one day of dusty riding. My favourite favourite lube at this stage (and it does clean your chain as well) is Rock 'n Roll Extreme or Gold! Amazing stuff this!

[GIRR]

I use squirt on my rd and mtb bikes, best stuff I've used to date. It lasts forever on my road bike.  Only a week or less on my mtb, but as I normally wash my mtb at least once a week it doesn't really matter.

[anthemboy]

I've tried various lubes.  Being using squirt for the last 2 years now and will never use anything else.  I always lube the chain off the bike, the night before and fit the chain before leaving home.  The longer the ride, the cleaner the chain gets.  I also never wash the chain, just wipe it clean and repeat the process.  I use it for MTB use mostly.  Dont apply it 5 mins before a ride.  Do it the night/day before!

[turtlek]

i used squirt last year at the sabie experience and will never use anything else

 

people who were there will know how bad sabie was and squirt rose to the occasion nicely

 

nuff said!!!!!!

[tikki]

Been using squirt lube for about i think 5-6 years!Was part of the development and testing of the product! My personal friend Dewet Marais has made us proud!! Still the best and only lube to use in dry conditions, how you apply it is the key to this lube working properly!

 

 

 

Well done Dewet

[sampie]

Doing a lot of riding in the forest, always wet and sandy patches as well, i found Squirt the best. This is now realy Proudly South African. What do you think about the sweat sucker?

http://www.squirtlube.com/

sampie2008-07-23 08:00:21

[Slowbee]

 

pls explain - do you guys also carry chain lubes in your bags? Do you stop when it looks like rain or water to put on your "wet" chain lube?

 

Squirt according to the write up is for "Dry" conditions?

 

 

Slowbee2008-07-23 08:00:57

[tikki]

I always carry a small bottle wet lube with at all times, training or racing! Only use it when it rains or on wet trails just before chain get to dry!

[turtlek]

 

pls explain - do you guys also carry chain lubes in your bags? Do you stop when it looks like rain or water to put on your "wet" chain lube? Squirt according to the write up is for "Dry" conditions?

 

 

 

 

squirt also has handy pocket packs that are available for on the ride use

 

 

 

at the sabie experience last year it was nothing but wet weather i lubed up my chain in the morning at the hostel before the ride and let it settle and just before we started riding i lubed it again so as to get any spots that i could have missed i never suffered from chain suck and the wet weather didnt "wash" it off either so it can be used in wet and dry even though it is a dry lube

[1skinnyman]

Never used squirt until the Epic.  Will never never ever use anything else again!!!

[Thug]

I've got a couple of bottles of Rock N Roll, Blue & Yellow, which I use for MTB and Road bikes respectively.

 

But I keep a couple of small bottles of Squirt in my Camelbak which I got at Sani 2 C and enjoy using the product.

 

[GIRR]

pls explain - do you guys also carry chain lubes in your bags? Do you stop when it looks like rain or water to put on your "wet" chain lube?

Squirt according to the write up is for "Dry" conditions?

 

It's actually an all conditions lube.  They're saying it only works well in dry weather, rather stick to wet lubes in wet weather.

[Zoo Cookie]

a lbs sold me a bottle of squirt the other day, saying it was the best thing ever. i thought they were just saying that. . .

[mbaymike]

the trick is to lube your chain not soak it and think another chain will grow from one of the links....squirt is still best for me