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Scottoiler Active Fluid System derailleur
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:: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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"Hey what's that little fluid reservoir thingy on your bike? Is that hydraulic fluid for your disk brakes?"
Nope, that little reservoir ² contains chain lube. It's part of an on board system that allows you to lube your chain on the fly, at any time while you ride. (we actually get lots of questions like this!)
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Who is it for?
Anyone & everyone- Roadies, Mountain Bikers, & Bike Commuters alike! The system is not specific to any one type of bike or rider.
The Active Fluid System flushes the chain clean and keeps your drivetrain  sweet all day long. Saves the need to carry extra lube for when the chain dries out on those epic all day mountain bike rides or 100 mile offroad races.

The Active Fluid System makes your life easier when you get home as well, as it makes your drivetrain so easy to clean up.

For Commuters where their bikes are used day in and day out, regardless of weather, the Active Fluid System minimizes the hassle of maintenance & replacing parts regularly.

We've all seen the bikes come service time where the chain is bone dry and suffering from surface rust. The Active Fluid System  makes chain lubrication so simple, prolonging the life of the drivetrain by up to seven times:
2x if you usually clean & lube after each ride.
7x if you occasionally add oil without first cleaning

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Is the Active Fluid System only for mountain bikes? 
No! This kit is great for use on any bike that has a rear derailleur, including road bikes, 'cross bikes, hybrids, comfort bikes, & recumbents. It's especially beneficial for use on bikes that are subject to high mileage, and is a very convenient method of cleaning and lubricating the drivetrain. The system is popular with bike commuters due to this convenience factor. It's also great for use on recumbent bikes. The UK's Redmount HPV includes the Scottoiler system as an OEM part on their recumbent trike, the Redmount Roller. The system can even be configured for use on single speeds with no derailleur or tension pulley.
 
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How long does the Active Fluid lubricant last?
A full reservoir will deliver 23 applications (squeezes of the Squid) and the 125ml bottle will fill the reservoir 3.5 times therefore giving 80 applications. The 250ml bottle will deliver 160 applications. How many times the lube is applied obviously depends on the rider and road/ trail conditions.
  
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When to use it?
Active Fluid is water based, as such it is water-soluble and will rinse off in heavy rain or when the bike is washed. This may sound pointless, but it is part of the Active Fluid System principal, i.e. cleaning the chain.

Effectively every time it rains your chain will clean itself.

The Squid should only be pressed when the cranks are turning to avoid any waste and mess. If it is raining do not use the oiler excessively, water itself is a good enough lubricant and is actually only 1% less efficient as a lube than oils. However, water has no corrosion inhibiting properties and if used alone will result in corrosion. Therefore, do not waste the fluid when it is raining. Wait until riding conditions dry up and then re-apply to prevent corrosion, or apply between downpours. After washing the bike, re-apply once to ensure that the drivetrain is protected while the bike is in storage.

On a dry day the oiler only needs to be used in dusty / gritty conditions to flush dust / grit from the chain to prevent grinding paste from forming. The chain is protected from corrosion by the film remaining from the last application. If the drivetrain sounds noisy, re-apply to minimize wear, as it is running dry.

During winter use, the chain may become sticky due to the presence of road salt. Basically the Active Fluid reacts with salt to create an insoluble barrier between the salt and the metal protecting the transmission from corrosion. Should this occur the chain will not rinse clean with water alone, making you aware that there is salt present and that the drivetrain is due a thorough cleaning.

Active Fluid is easy to wash off skin and clothing using only water.
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Can I use other lubes in the Active Fluid System?  
In a word, no. Thicker lubes wont flow through the micro-bore delivery tubing, and many lubes contain solids such as wax or PTFE that
will clog the tubes and reservoir.

Active Fluid is unique. The whole concept of the Active Fluid System is based around using a water based lube to flush the chain clean while leaving a protective film of oil in and on the chain. Using other lubes won't achieve this as just about all are too heavy and attract dirt & dust creating an abrasive grinding paste that is not cleaned up easily. 
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How does the system work in the winter?
Scottoiler Active Fluid will remain liquid down to 25°F, and the system will operate normally. The fluid may become slushy and may freeze at temperatures below 25°F (due to it's water content). Adding 2ml of Isopropyl Alcohol to the reservoir reduces the freezing point of the Active Fluid to about 10° F. Temperatures below that will cause the lube to freeze as will your toes, fingertips, ears, and well, you get the picture. In other words, everyone except a diehard & crazy few will be out on their bikes at temperatures below 10° F, so most winter riding conditions shouldn't really pose a problem for the Active Fluid System.
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Where does the reservoir mount? 
The reservoir can be mounted nearly anywhere on the bike as long as it points/ faces upwards (can't be horizontal & clear side down). Great places to mount the reservoir are on the seat tube, seat stays, down tube, or seat post.   top^

How durable is the reservoir?
The reservoir is very durable. It's made in 2 parts: the high strength ABS plastic base is Ultrasonically welded to the ultra clear Acrylic lid, giving a high strength and leak-proof joint. If properly and securely mounted, it will provide trouble free operation for the life of your bike.
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Where does the Squid pump mount?
The Squid pump can be mounted anywhere on the bike, in any position. We've found that the best location to install the pump is somewhere on the handlebars for easiest access & operation, although it can be mounted on the stem, frame, seatpost, etc. 
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I noticed that the Squid pump is flexible. Can I mount the pump along the bend & curved contour of my bars?
Yes. The Squid pump is constructed of rubber and can be installed along the bend & curved section of a riser bar on mountain bikes, or on the curved section of the drops on road bikes without affecting it's operation in any way. This feature can make for a really neat installation that is easy to access & operate from your normal riding & natural  hand positions.
*note: If covering the Squid pump with bar tape, make sure the tape is not wrapped so tightly to cause the Squid to be compressed (this would affect its operation)

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How long does the Scottoiler derailleur pulley last?
Scottoiler derailleur pulleys are constructed of high strength Nylon for superior durability and reduced friction. Our pulleys last considerably longer than stock pulleys due in part to their construction and also because they run cleaner and are kept continuously lubed with Active Fluid. There have been documented cases where Scottoiler pulleys have lasted for over 20,000 miles of riding.
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