My adventures in chain waxing: goals, reviews, suggestions...

[TheBelgian]

I have SRAM chains with hollow pins on my MTB's. I don't care about wax inside. I just use those XX1 chains because they last a long time, not because they are light.

[TobinHatesYou]

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Didn't look beyond the first two google hits, but I'm sure it's not that hard to find more accurate data and do the math if one were so inclined...

Haha, not the first time this has come up, but people are going to be weird I guess.

viewtopic.php?p=1544163#p1544163

[InSeyne]

Silly question here but something that drives me crazy about waxing ... how do ya'll take the chain out of the crockpot and hang it up without dripping wax all over the place? I do it all outside so it's not a huge deal but I still end up dripping stuff on my shirt half the time as well as the table the crockpot is on, etc. Feel like there is something I must be missing.

On another note, I recently started trying the FlowerPower wax as a top up and, as mentioned in this thread, it is so dirty it is gross. I use wax-based lubes to have a cleaner drive train but with FlowerPower, it's almost the same level of black gunk everywhere as with regular wet or dry lube. Switching back to UFO for top up.

I also tried the flower power drip wax, it's awful so much gunk on the jockey wheels it affects shifting and requires constant cleaning. As I use Campagnolo chains (connected with a pin) I'll stick with conventional lubes, never had a problem and chains seem to last.

[Torbjorn]

When choosing a drip-based wax lubricant today, what is the general consensus on what the best one is considering: drivetrain efficiency and longevity, cleanliness, and quietness?

I've been using Silca Super Secret drip, but as the bottle is soon empty I am considering the options of Ceramic Speed UFO drip, Effeto Mariposa Flower Power (probably will steer clear of this considering the gunk build-up), Rex wax drip, others?

[jurez]

had to give this chain waxing a go since i hate a dirty drive train and im also sick of cleaning it.
bought a cheap pot on temu and some parafin wax in pebbles, all together like 30€ (+10€ for cleaning supplies to get the chain clean, which i would regardless of chain waxing or not).

first try was successful, really easy. used a zip tie to hang the chain after the waxing was done. did 2 chains.
after the first 200km the drivetrain is still clean, still runs smooth. can't say the drivetrain noise is any different, maybe a little bit quieter but it also just might be placebo.
changed the chain after 200km just to see the process of rewaxing a dirty chain from waxing. wiped it a few times with a microfibre cloth (still quite a bit of black dirtiness got caught on the chain and then the cloth).

i will continue to wax for this season, so far i like it.
i do have a longer trip planned for summer, all together around 700km and i dont want to carry an extra chain with me. so what are some options here?

[BernieMoves]

My drivetrain was noticeably quieter on the first 100km and then gradually a bit of noise came back. It's still much quieter than on an oiled chain though.

[TidyDinosaur]

i do have a longer trip planned for summer, all together around 700km and i dont want to carry an extra chain with me. so what are some options here?

I top off with squirt once in a while. A little dirtier, but does the trick between waxing...

[JayDee81]

I am used to top up my wax on chain after 15 hours of moving time. Now I started waxing the same also for my mtb, would you also keep the 15 hour intervals?

[208]

As usual, Lewn777’s internal narrative acts like blinders / selective vision to what’s actually being said about a variety of topics.

Here’s what most of us have to say about wax and wet riding.

Even the wax drip lubes aren’t great in the wet, you’d want to dry and relube your chain every ride with something like Smoove or Squirt.

Funny really.
That's what you 'all thought and wrote' 4 months after I started using chain wax. One of the reasons I started using chain wax in the winter was that I suspected it was hopeless in the wet, but I needed good evidence, because the downsides were not being expressed. The reason why those downsides were not being expressed is because new tech has converts that cannot tolerate discussion of the pros and cons of any technology and actively troll those that have balanced arguments, probably from some kind of deep seated insecurity. 'Mommy they said my bike wasn't good'.

How about a year before?

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=154347&p=1452838&hi ... x#p1452838

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=154627&p=1449576&hi ... x#p1449576

Look Lewn777, nobody is lying to you about wax. You just had blinders on and want to berate people who don't share your opinions. Maybe read through discussion threads more carefully before you cry wolf again.

Also using different lubes depending on conditions is nothing new. I've repeatedly advised against using hot-melt wax and even wax drip lubes while indoor training too.

You agree, but I'm still wrong!
I extensively read many threads about chain-waxing and watched many videos, maybe not every single one, and maybe not the exact ones you pulled from your search engine. Nobody said 'chain waxing is utterly useless in the wet' which is the horrible truth, they only alluded to it or didn't mention it at all. All I am trying to do is warn other people NOT to use wax in the wet because many wax converts like Ozcycle accused me of 'doing it wrong' in a YT video comment. I'm not trying to attack anyone unless they say 'wax is fantastic even in the wet' in which case they would be a liar.

Maybe if you and people like you stopped using personal attacks and put-downs to stifle debate when people point out downsides to your shiny new technology we would have been able to have a more balanced debate where these things were better able to be discussed.

I've noticed in other threads that you've admitted some of your SRAM products have been less than perfect, even to regret buying some of them which shows you're maturing and heading on the right direction, and that you may be able to see things objectively in the due course of time.

You okay mate or what? I'm not gonna launch any personal attacks on your comprehension ability, but I'm holding myself back and it's difficult.

Literally first thing that comes up in Google if searching "wax wet conditions silca".

https://silca.cc/blogs/silca/what-type- ... st-for-you

[TidyDinosaur]

I am used to top up my wax on chain after 15 hours of moving time. Now I started waxing the same also for my mtb, would you also keep the 15 hour intervals?

I find I have to swap (and re-wax) chains on my MTB after every ride. Most of my rides do include some mud though...

[TheBelgian]

i do have a longer trip planned for summer, all together around 700km and i dont want to carry an extra chain with me. so what are some options here?

Wipe it, use a small bottle of Silca Secret, and let it dry overnight.

[jajr1999]

I have gotten into Immersive Waxing by following the Bicilab and ZeroFrictionCycling videos. After cleaning with UFO Cleaner both the chain and the rest of the components, when I install the chain, it sounds like this (I think the chain gear noise is too loud for a freshly waxed chain).
https://photos.app.goo.gl/vyQbfCJDp1wXRmyx8

Adam himself, from ZeroFrictionCycling, warns that some chains retain less wax, but he does not mention the one I have used (brand new Shimano 105 12 speed).

I have only gone out one day doing sets and the chain has not skipped, so I consider that the wear on the chainrings, pulleys and cassette (all very clean) should not be excessive. The noise is similar in the two chains and in the one I had installed with a single outlet I have the feeling that it is a little "loose", as if it were worn (same feeling that I got after the bath with UFO Cleaner).

I would appreciate any help, in the meantime I'm going to re-wax.
All the best!

[superpiki]

You've given me food for thought.

Maybe the wax getting into the hollow pins makes the chain more silent.
I've seen some claims that a waxed Red chain is quieter than a Force chain, but others say there is no difference. Anyway, I've ordered 3 Red chains and a new Red cassette. I'll let you know how it goes.

[jajr1999]

But my question is: when should Immersive Waxing not ring the chain? Or does the transmission not make noise only when it is at the top of the range?

My transmission, except the cranks and chainrings, is Shimano 105 Di2 12V

[TheBelgian]

I have gotten into Immersive Waxing by following the Bicilab and ZeroFrictionCycling videos. After cleaning with UFO Cleaner both the chain and the rest of the components, when I install the chain, it sounds like this (I think the chain gear noise is too loud for a freshly waxed chain).
https://photos.app.goo.gl/vyQbfCJDp1wXRmyx8

I have the same chain and groupset, and it's not a quiet combination, I can confirm. It's even worse after a fresh hot wax. For the first couple of km it sounds as if the derailleur is not aligned correctly. Afterwards it gets better, but it's never a very quiet system. Sounds normal to me. First time I installed it (I built the bike myself) I turned back home to realign the derailleurs because of the noise, but everything was correct. If you look around online you'll see a lot of people complain about noisy 105 Di2 2x12 drivetrains.