Squirt Long Lasting Chain Lube
Squirt ® is what every cyclist wants: a long-lasting dry chain lube that does not gather dirt. The first successful biodegradable wax/water emulsion containing as much wax as needed to last for the duration of a marathon ride. It prolongs the life of your drivetrain by reducing friction while improving shifting and reducing irritating dry chain noise. No degreasing is required for repeat use. If needed, your chain can be cleaned with a clean, dry brush.
- Excellent for wet & dry conditions
- Stays clean
- Reduces chain noise & chainsuck
- For use on all bicycle chain types
- Available in 15ml, 120ml, 500ml
- Biodegradable, PFAS-free formula, Solvent-free
- Squirt Long Lasting Chain lube was recently rated as the best overall chain lube by bikerumor.com. Read the review here.
NEW! Squirt Long Lasting Chain Lube Eco-Refill Box
This 5-litre container filled with Squirt’s award-winning wax and water emulsion chain lubricant, is designed to allow individuals and workshops to refill their plastic Squirt applicator bottles; thereby reducing the amount of plastic waste. The Chain Lube Eco-Refill Box is available internationally in all good bike shops. Reuse, refill, repeat!
Why it works
Squirt is biodegradable and contains selected waxes performing different functions in a creamy emulsion. It runs at very low resistance (VeloNews, Hunting for Speed, pdf, Feb 2014): “Fastest drip lube we have ever tested” When applied to the chain it dries, leaving a microfilm of wax that is dry and water repelling. It does not attract dust or debris and stays clean. Unlike oil-based lubricants, Squirt does not form a black paste that causes long term damage to a drivetrain. It stays clean in all conditions, ideal for road, TRI, gravel, XC, trail, enduro, commuting and cyclo-cross.
When Squirt is applied to a chain, it may sometimes look more viscous (thicker) than other times. This is primarily because wax emulsions are temperature sensitive and a few degrees up or down can have a notable effect on viscosity. Also, Squirt shares similar characteristics with non-Newtonian fluids and like ketchup, you have to shake them to get them more fluid. The action of shaking the bottle together with the shear forces that the moving components in the chain has on the lube (while rotating the cranks backwards just after application) reduces the viscosity and ensures proper penetration into the chain.
FAQ’s
It depends on riding conditions. In general, when you start hearing a dry chain noise, re-application is already due. In wet, muddy conditions it will not last as long as in dry-dust free conditions. In general, from 30 to 300 miles on one application – the chain will stay clean. If you expect riding in wet conditions, lube your chain the day before if possible.
Yes. Squirt should be started on a clean, properly de-greased and dry chain. Factory grease on a new chain should be removed with organic solvent if needed. A second application ten minutes after the first is recommended when starting out with Squirt.
First time user:
1. Completely remove factory grease and other lubricants from your chain using a degreaser.
2. Rinse your chain with clean water and let it dry.
3. Follow the application instructions below and repeat after 5 minutes.
Application Instructions
1. Shake bottle and apply to inside of DRY chain while turning the cranks.
2. Do not wipe off.
3. Allow chain to dry completely before cycling – especially in wet conditions.
4. Do not degrease again.
De-greasing is not necessary when you’ve been using Squirt Long Lasting Chain Lube. It does not form a black build-up like oils that traps dirt to accelerate chain wear. It does not smudge and stays dry. Brush off with dry brush if needed and remove occasional build-up from rear derailleur wheels with a toothpick.
We generally do not advise too frequent deep-cleaning as it removes all embedded wax from inside the chain and a two-coat reapplication of the lube will be required as per the application instructions. However, cleaning should be handled on a case-by-case basis such as when you hear the chain grinding after a muddy ride, because this implies that excessive dirt entered the chain that needs to be washed out.
On bike cleaning
For on-bike cleaning, usually two rounds using a clamp-on type cleaner (such as Park Tool CG-2.4) and our Squirt biodegradable Bike Cleaner product is adequate. Rinse well with clean water and reapply two coats of lube as per the application instructions.
Thorough Cleaning
For a more intensive clean, use about 1-2 litres of boiling water and pour slowly over the bottom span of the chain (between the rear derailleur and chainring) while turning the cranks backwards. This melts the wax and rinses it out of the chain together with trapped dirt. Follow this up with a couple rounds using the clamp-on type cleaner until the cleaning solution is not visibly dirty anymore. Always rinse well with clean water and reapply two coats of lube as per the application instructions.
Deep Cleaning
For deep cleaning, the chain can be removed and degreased with a couple of rounds of soaking/shaking/rinsing in an organic solvent like kerosene or white spirits or a dedicated degreaser product. Follow this up with a rinse in solvent like IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol) or methylated spirits to remove any possible residue left by the degreasers and reapply two coats of lube as per the application instructions. Discard all chemicals in an environmentally responsible way. Specialist workshops have ultrasonic cleaners that work well, and the user instruction of the device should be followed.
The small black particles are normal on stationary trainers. This also happens when on the road or trails, one just does not see it. It is the hard-wax components of Squirt shedding from the chain. Excess wax and dirt trapped sheds via this method. You may find that more wax accumulates on the chain of your trainer – this is due the chain not vibrating/shaking enough to promote shedding. Our biodegradability rating is therefore important as it would end up in the natural environment.
All our chain lubes are biodegradable wax/water emulsions together with additives to prevent component wear. We continually monitor the quality of the waxes we use to ensure we meet the highest standards and legislative compliance. Using newer generation fully refined waxes can result in natural separation of the emulsion if left standing for long periods of time. If you find that your bottle of Squirt Chain Lube has a visible separation layer in the bottom, this is normal. When shaken well before application, this does not affect the performance of the lube. For optimal performance, follow the user application instructions on the bottle label or on the section in this FAQ.
If stored under recommended conditions, the lube will last for many years. Stability samples of older than 15 years still retain functionality.
Squirt should be stored between 40℉ and 95℉ with the cap on. If it freezes (below 32℉, 0℃) or dries out, it becomes thick. It can be restored to a creamy liquid by adding a little water and shaking it up (normally about 10% of water).