Chain Wax Tested: Squirt Vs Dynamic Bike Care
Switching from standard chain lube to wax? That was an absolute game-changer!
For years, Shimano dry lube was my go-to. A few drops here and there, and that was drivetrain care sorted. Not exactly clean, but it worked. My routine was simple. Apply well in advance. Let it for 24 hours. Wipe off the excess.
And yet, within a few rides, that nice clean chain would turn into a dull, greasy black mess. Faster if there was rain or dust involved. I just accepted it. Thought that was the deal.
Turns out, it wasn’t…
Squirt chain wax
A few years back, I got a small sample of Squirt Chain Wax thrown in with an order. Tried it out. Followed the instructions properly for once. And honestly, I was a bit stunned.
The drivetrain felt smooth straight away. But the real surprise came later. After multiple rides, everything was still clean. Not “less dirty”. Actually clean! Even after riding through the usual mess.
That alone was enough. I ordered a full bottle and never really looked back.
Until…
dynamic speed potion wax
A good friend of mine works in the industry and represents Dynamic Bike Care. Last time we rode together, he went on about their Speed Potion Wax like it was the second coming. I pushed back. I was perfectly happy on Squirt. No complaints. No need to switch.
But after about half an hour of persuasion, I gave in. Part curiosity. Part survival.
He handed me a little bottle. I went home, stripped the chain completely, and applied it exactly as instructed.
And this time, I gave it a proper test. Not just a few rides. Enough kilometres to actually have an opinion.
THE TEST
Let’s get one thing straight. Prepping your chain for waxing is a job. No matter what brand you use. Factory grease, old lube, all of it needs to go. Properly. Otherwise, none of this works.
That part is universal. So I am focusing purely on performance once everything is set up correctly.
For context, I did:
~10,000 km on Squirt
~2,000 km on Dynamic
So yes, I have significantly more time on Squirt. But more than enough on Dynamic to understand what it does.
performance under load
This is where things get interesting. Or at least, where I thought they did. Because when I first switched to Dynamic, I was convinced it performed better under load. Hard efforts. Climbs. Sprints. It felt smoother. Quieter. Faster even.
But the longer I rode it, the more I started questioning that feeling.
Because when you strip it all back, the bike does not magically go any faster. No clear gains. No consistent difference. Nothing you can actually point to and say, “that’s it!”
And looking back, I think I wanted to believe there was a difference. Not because Dynamic is not good. But because it is positioned as a premium product. And when something costs more, you expect it to perform better. Simple as that.
Reality check. For most riding, that difference is either marginal, inconsistent, or simply not there.
duration
With Squirt, I typically reapply every 500 kilometres. Sometimes a bit sooner if conditions are wet.
I ran Dynamic through the exact same routine.
Result? The same. Around that 500 km mark, performance drops off, and it is time to reapply. So in terms of longevity, there is no real difference either.
Cleanliness AND Ease of Use
This is where wax wins. Full stop. Both keep your drivetrain significantly cleaner than traditional lube. That alone is worth the switch.
But between the two? Nothing in it. Both do exactly what they promise.
Price
Now we get to the most important part I think…
Dynamic Speed Potion Wax costs €22.99 for 50 ml
Squirt costs €13.95 for 120 ml
That is not a small difference. That is not even the same category.
So if performance and longevity are the same, you are paying a serious premium for, well, not much in return.
my Conclusion
Although I was first convinced there was a real difference. The more I rode, the harder it became to justify that belief.
Both products do exactly what they should. Clean drivetrain. Smooth ride. Same maintenance. But once you remove the marketing, the expectations, and a bit of your own wishful thinking, the conclusion becomes fairly straightforward.
For 99% of cyclists, Squirt is simply the smarter choice.
It works. It works well. And it does not pretend to be something it isn’t. And unless you are chasing marginal gains at the very sharp end, there is no real reason to spend more.
I would say, save the difference. Spend it on coffee.
