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squirt lube long lasting and low temperature versions
when i were a lad, the only chain lubricant of which i was aware, was the can of three-in-one oil that sat on a shelf in my dad's garden shed. i was under strict instruction to ensure that the chain on my raleigh twenty bicycle received a single drop on each link at least once a week. on a bicycle with a sturmey-archer three-speed hub gear, once a week was possibly quite adequate; just like a fixed gear bike, the chain had only to travel in circles, unlike the chain on derailleur equipped cycles, which also had to shift up and down several sprockets.
though i have nothing that would come close to even a basic comprehension of engineering principles, i'm pretty sure that lateral movement of a bicycle chain induces greater friction than one that doesn't. the considerable subsequent developments made over the intervening years regarding the reduction of friction engendered by a chain on its travels around the nether regions of the average bicycle, have seemingly consigned three-in-one to dad sheds all across the nation.
i have, over the course of many a long year, had the opportunity to use and review several chain lubricants, the majority of which have entered the world of synthetic lubricants, not necessarily derived from oil. and if i might point you once again in the direction of my lack of engineering nous, it's possible that i am ill-equipped to make judgment on such products. however, that could actually be less of a disadvantage than it at first seems. how many of us purchase little bottles of chian lube and subject them to minute investigation over the course of a view weekends' riding? yet, though i can only derive similar observations as others, the difference here is that i'm possibly paying closer attention.
allegedly.
squirt lube sent me two 120ml bottles for review: one containing long-lasting chain lube and the other, their low temperature chain lube. following a thorough chain degreasing, i applied the latter to the campagnolo chain on my ritchey logic, and the former to the sram chain on my specialized crux. both look pretty much identical on the chain and really only differ in packaging via the light blue caps on the low-temperature variant as opposed to the dark blue of the long-lasting version. effectively wax-based lubricants, each drop applied to the chain rollers is in the form of a white liquid which subsequently dries to an almost transparent coating.
according to squirt, the low temperature version is designed to retain its lubricating properties below zero degrees celcius, something that i have actually had the opportunity to verify, via particularly cool temperatures experienced over the festive period. that period also included lengthy moments of considerable precipitation, a reality that would usually have me relube the chain on a daily basis, the original application having been successfully washed away. it gives me great pleasure to report that both chains still exhibit clear evidence of the original applications.
there is also audible evidence of the latter. after many years of having undertaken rapha's festive 500 in similar, if not worse conditions, in a matter of two days riding in such weather, there was usually notable clattering to be heard from the chain, hence the need to re-lube. both varieties of squirt lube were applied on christmas eve and the chains haven't been touched since, despite my having changed my middle name to gore-tex by deed poll prior to hogmanay. as one ready and willing to suffer for your art, i don't expect to touch either chain until we reach february (unless absolutely necessary), but current indications are that this will not prove to offer an untenable situation.
i have seen it mentioned that the low-temperature edition washes off easily and needs constant re-application, but on current evidence, i'd probably disagree with that. time alone will tell.
the only item mentioned on the squirt website with which i'd take issue, is their contention that the chain remains clean. as a self-confessed 'clean chain' obsessive, this is a point of which i have taken particular note, having to resist the temptation to apply degreaser, not because there is any lack of lubrication, but just to be able to proceed with a shiny chain in public. however, i'm willing to suffer in (relative) silence for a few more weeks at least.
and on the subject of degreasing, squirt contend that there's no need to degrease the chain prior to repeat use, but i figure i probably will purely for aesthetic reasons. that said, though the chains have acquired a slightly grimey coating, it appears to be one that has no intention of multiplying. both lubes are biodegradeable and free of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (pfas), as well as solvent-free.
wax-based lubes do appear to have gained a reasonable foothold in the cyclists' psyche of late, quite likely with good reason. it is a great deal more expensive than a can of three-in-one oil (around £11.99 for 120ml of each type) but considerably cheaper than several of the available alternatives. i might well offer an update as the weeks roll by, but on present experience, i'd be quite happy to recommend both or either.
saturday 14 january 2023
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