It all started when I got my first Regina Oro;  way, way back when.

Before then, I rode whatever chain and block the guy in the bike shop threw at me; usually junk, usually black.

Until, that is, the day I spotted a gleaming, gold Regina Oro chain in the shop window and I knew I just had to have it. 

So, a couple of weeks later I stumped up my hard-earned savings for a brand new Regina Oro set-up – chain and freewheel.

And then it happened....

Half way through my first ride with my brand spanking new transmission, I noticed the sparkle going out of the chain; the spangle from the cogs less than dazzling.  By the time I reached home, the once bright, shining gold had turned to a dirty, grey sludge.

And so began my obsession with chain hygeine.

Back in those days, chain lube meant a liberal dousing with that muck-magnet-in-a-can, the dreaded  Three-In-One.  Once I had learned the hard way just what a pot of filth it really was, I tried everything else.

Among the cures tried over the years were superfine grease, watch oil, fishing reel lubes, washing-up liquid, furniture polish and just about anything else I thought would stop squeaks but stay clean.

Then came 'Space Age' Teflon-based concoctions, synthetic oils, more sprays and bottles, before I finally settled on a homebrew hot wax and rust preventive cocktail. 

My chain-driven OCD marginally improved with the introduction of solvent-based wax concoctions, but generally, these tend to be a hit-and-miss affair.
The solvent acts as the carrier, depositing the wax on the chain then evaporating to leave a wax film. But unless you shake the bottle within an inch of its life, there's no guarantee the right mix of solvent to wax will make it onto your chain.

So, as you can imagine, my ears perked up when I heard rumours of a new lube on the market.
After a bit of detective work I found it, sent off the money and waited patiently for Mr. Postie to do his bit.

Squirt is a new wax-based lube with a difference.
Unlike the others out there, I doesn't use solvents as a transport system for the wax, but instead, uses good ole H²0.  Not only does using water as a carrier mean its planet-friendly, it means it's also incredibly efficient at getting the lube just where you need it.  What's more, there's no solvent to separate from wax during storage, so it's always ready to squirt!

So, following the instructions to the letter, a cleaned and degreased chain in place, I applied the little Squirt.  Leave it to dry (in effect, letting the water to evaporate) and you're good to go.

And good it is too!

Noise equals friction;  friction equals wear. The less noise, the less friction -  and the better the lube is at doing its job.
After half an hour to let Squirt fully dry out , the cranks were spun to see just how this stuff  was shaping up.

The post-Squirt silence is uncanny!

Same chain, different lube; but a marked reduction in chain chatter is immediately apparent after getting the Squirt treatment.  The real test however, would come outside in the dirt.

If first rides are anything to go by, then Squirt is a winner.

After a  50km offroad ride in dry, dusty conditions, with the odd stream to negotiate whipping up the dust into mud,  the transmission remains silent; the chain still sparkling like new. This stuff really does what it claims to do and stays clean, quiet and crap-free. 

However, 50km is  far from exhaustive testing, so further riding in all conditions is required before giving Squirt the thumbs up.

I'll be spreading the Squirt love around the Frameforum Test-Pilot squad for more road and offroad feedback and impressions.  When all reports are in, you'll get the verdict here.

However, if early impressions are anything to go by, then Squirt is good – very good indeed.

Stay tuned!

 ***In the UK, Squirt is available from In2Dust Ltd.  Ask them nice and they might send you a sample!

 IN 2 DUST Website :>