It's so clean. I use a drip-on wax from Squirt, and not having to use degreaser to clean the bike is amazing. I don't care if it gives me 10W or takes 10W, clean hands and calves are worth it.
@xGshikamaru
7 сағат бұрын
Yes the chain stays cleaner but I find the major difference is not the product I'm using but rather my behaviour towards my chain state. I'm checking it much more frequently than when I was using oil and so it gets much more care, pretty sure you could get the same result with oil but it's just more messy. I still use oil for my indoor trainer bike which doesn't get outside because waxing would bring very little benefit there
@unkebunktebusal9023
6 сағат бұрын
If you have to store your bike in your living space and not in a shed or basement, the biggest advantage is that everything is so clean and you don't bring any black gunk into your home.
@davidbee8178
5 сағат бұрын
@@Flym4n111 Same here with Squirt and the advantages but when I went with the Silca system, it switched the game up several notches especially with their new Endurance additive. More expensive to get into the system but once you've made the upgrade you'll never look back :-)
@layton3503
5 сағат бұрын
Simply Wax and Ride
@rug212
6 сағат бұрын
I wouldn’t hot water rinse your chain in the sink, like you showed in the video. The water and wax will cool just a few feet down your drainpipe and then stick and eventually build up and clog your drain. Not good.
@James-zu1ij
4 сағат бұрын
I used to wash my paint brushes in the sink, then discovered a sticky mess in the drain outside. Its a similar scenario I guess.
@jakebrakebill
6 сағат бұрын
after 35 years of trying everything, I finally and reluctantly tried wax, and I'll never go back to any of the others.
@davidbee8178
5 сағат бұрын
EXACTLY the same experience for me - I've got ten years of cycling on you LOL and I'l never go back either. The Silca system is rather expensive to get into but it's well thought out and works to a fair thee well. Their extended use "ENDURANCE" wax additive I think you will find VERY addictive :-)
@jakebrakebill
5 сағат бұрын
@@davidbee8178 👍
@paulgrimshaw8334
2 сағат бұрын
@@jakebrakebill Agree. We all started out with an oiled chain. Just like we all started out on a tricycle. Neither of these things are bad, They’re just less efficient. What ever degree of efficiency you’re happy with is fine. Personal choice. Friction occurs when people refuse to accept proven or demonstrable efficiencies… could be cleanliness, impact on wear, impact on friction etc. It’s like saying things “fall up, not down”, which is a regressive form of thinking that does a disservice to the truth and riders.
@jakebrakebill
Сағат бұрын
@@paulgrimshaw8334 I'm always behind the curve because I want to see how things work out in the public sector more than a lab. Waxing is like the first index shifter, then the first brake lever shifters, now wireless shifters, it's been a game changer for me.
@erictravis5995
5 сағат бұрын
I started using wax approximately 1 year ago and will never go back to oils. Having a clean bike is so nice and it makes travelling with the bike much nicer as a result (less mess). I don’t find it difficult or annoying and if there are also performance gains and component life gains, bonus!
@AirwolfCrazy
6 сағат бұрын
I first heard of chain waxing from Oz Cycling. I followed his steps for making up the wax, cleaning the chain, and applying the wax. Still works and the overall coast is pretty cheap. Not being a pro rider and doing my winter riding on Zwift, I do not burn through a lot of wax per year. So for me, I'll keep it DIY for my wax mix. Thanks for the good video.
@iancanuckistan2244
3 сағат бұрын
Me too!
@BrianRouse
2 сағат бұрын
Same 👍🏻
@mad4mymini
Сағат бұрын
Oz Cycle….. literally the worst advice ever on waxing chains. See Zero Friction Cycling for much better advice.
@cb6866
6 сағат бұрын
Thanks Alex and crew , I became a "Waxer of the chain " after trying lubes for years! The wear and cost savings were incredible ! Once I learned how to do it , it became a lot easier , and the money I have saved changed my mind forever , thank you !
@AdamJStoryDC
Сағат бұрын
I love how he described Squirt Wax in the beginning without ever saying the word "Squirt Wax" = trying not to get sued.
@MrGoodaches
7 сағат бұрын
I don’t comprehend the complaint that chain waxing is too much hassle. The time and effort prepping a chain for immersion waxing is given back many times over by a clean drivetrain that makes for faster and easier post ride bike cleaning. Anyone who is negative on immersion waxing has either not done it or did it wrong.
@SirPhillyLeong
7 сағат бұрын
Nah bro, It's easier and much faster to use a good liquid wax and apply it regularly.
@BodieWilde
6 сағат бұрын
Tbh, I would rather buy a new chain every ride than waste my time with waxing. It would be cheaper for me anyways.
@liamgaul
6 сағат бұрын
yeah the waxing itself may take longer than drip lube but I NEVER EVER have to clean my drivetrain! Degreasing my chain was a messy and time-intensive process that needed to happen regularly in the winter if you didn't want to chew through components (and never got fully clean). I'll happily spend a few extra minutes to rewax my chain to never have to degrease again. Plus my drivetrain components last way longer, save me loads of money and are always clean (and apparently faster too).
@pistonburner6448
6 сағат бұрын
@@MrGoodaches The easiest is to spend absolutely nothing on cleaning and maintenance equipment, and just periodically leave your bike in some place where it gets stolen. Thus you get a squeaky clean bike with no need for maintenance from the insurance company (=all the other cyclists pay for it). Brand new tires and brake pads too. For most enthusiasts the extra insurance costs are far lower than the massive cost for all that overpriced cleaning equipment and maintenance devices. You can even rent out your shed for extra income as you no longer need a place to tinker.
@davidbee8178
5 сағат бұрын
@@SirPhillyLeong Nope - not in my experience - the full immersion is better because it gets into parts of the chain that the liquid wax won't easily get to . Just saying :-)
@DK-yr8id
3 сағат бұрын
I think the cleanliness is a benefit that doesn’t get enough attention. I use super secret on my old beat up commuter, and don’t have to worry about getting stains on my pant legs every time I bump my chain.
@LongbranchOlivetti
7 сағат бұрын
Are you sure about that? Up until a year ago you were telling us that Muc-Off was gods gift to cyclists.
@gonzalezgaraypablo
5 сағат бұрын
Daaaaaaamn
@Simon-yl5jd
5 сағат бұрын
Perfect 😂
@Cycle.every.day.
5 сағат бұрын
They don't call em "Gaslighting Communist Network" for nothing my friend.
@Local.hero.1983
5 сағат бұрын
Muc off is the ex girlfriend , Silca is the new girlfriend.
@2nd.2nd.2nd
5 сағат бұрын
Your comment is perfect , i'm jealous i never came up with it myself.
@santiagobenites
4 сағат бұрын
I'm using the DIY/peasants version of the Silca hot wax system. It consists of a $20 slow cooker, paraffin candles from the dollar store, a small bag of PTFE (teflon) powder from Ali Express, and some wire coat hangers. I do three chains at a time, and I've had excellent results with my homemade system. I tried of adding some tungsten disulfate powder to the mix, but it just made my gold chains look grey, so I've stopped adding that one.
@awesomexistence
2 сағат бұрын
Pretty much the same as I do. Additionally I scrape some of the solidified wax from the slow cooker and put it in a 2oz plastic applicator bottle about 2/3 full. Add some 90% Isopropyl alcohol to full. Set this in a boiling cup of hot water for a couple minutes to remelt wax, shake well and apply to chain for regular re-lubing. Use a hair dryer dryer to drive the wax into the links internals. This is about a 10minute re-lube process.
@pistonburner6448
8 сағат бұрын
He's waxing lyrical, but his theories are off the chain!
@whatthepapersaid
6 сағат бұрын
I wax my chain in order to experience that feeling of superiority. The chain is certainly quieter and seems to last longer. I don't use anything special - just a melted down candle and an old saucepan. The wax lasts between 200 - 500 miles so long as it doesn't rain.
@rkhayden
6 сағат бұрын
I changed from oil lubrication to drip-on wax lubrication about a year ago. I'm not really interested in power savings (I'm quite a leisurely cyclist); the main benefit for me has been a big reduction in maintenance. On the bike I commute to work on, when it had oil lubrication the chain needed cleaning at least once a fortnight in winter, and the chain needed replacing roughly once per year. Since I changed to using drip-on wax, I'm cleaning or re-waxing the chain no more than once a month, and wear on the chain seems to have greatly reduced. There aren't any downsides I can see to using drip-on wax in comparison with using oil.
@NotElvis
5 сағат бұрын
It took a while but I've become a chain waxing fan. I will never hot wax but love a good drip wax like Silca Super secret. I clean with an inline chain cleaner like a Pedros Chain Pig (rarely mentioned these days) and then add drip wax. Total time needed: 2-3 minutes ZeroFriction cycling says this method gives me 80-90% of hot wax performance in normal road riding with 30% of the effort. After using this method my chain is still within spec after 3 years and 30K km.
@ich1219
7 сағат бұрын
I always boil several chains in an old pot with dishwasher powder, boil them again in water without powder, let them dry, then dip them in melted paraffin, done. Cheap, works without overpriced rubbish.
@CrossbowBeta
6 сағат бұрын
Several Chains? Are you the mechanic for a whole racing team?
@deniskfender
5 сағат бұрын
@@CrossbowBetajust change chain every 200-500km. So if you have 3 chains you don't need to wax it too often
@LZ---
5 сағат бұрын
This is the way to go! Skip hyped and fancy over priced stuff.
@ich1219
5 сағат бұрын
@@CrossbowBeta Nope, just too lazy to treat each one individually, I bought four of them.
@davidide1525
2 сағат бұрын
Team wax. I hot wax the new chain and then use drip wax from then on. I get 10,000 miles out of chain worn to 40%. I used to get 2000-2500 using oil. Quiet also ! Good video.
@joystation1
Сағат бұрын
40% ! ? The recommended maximum chain wear amount is 0.5%
@MichaelLonetto
51 минут бұрын
I started using wax emulsion this year and had really good results. I started with a new chain, stripped and dipped in emulsion before mounting, then wipe down and apply on the bike about once a week. So far the chain is holding up great, much better and no more trouble than what I was doing before (one of those “clean lube” products), which had me going through about a chain a year on my 10 speed Shimano setup.
@biboberlin5392
3 сағат бұрын
I Use wax for over 2 years now and the only negative i find that you have to re apply more often than the oily stuff, especially in the wet months. The positive its cleaner Your components last longer and a deep clean of the chain and the other components goes much faster.
@sebastiandomagala9233
Сағат бұрын
I use wax on my daily commuter - and all other bikes are used so rarely that I didn't see any benefit of changing to wax. So they are still oiled. Both works pretty well, oil is far better in wet conditions though. But I do see a difference in the chain's life span.
@Ronald-qj5nx
5 сағат бұрын
Should do a survey, how many of the people who do/will not wax their chains actually do ALL their own maintenance work? Not just cleaning and lubricating the chain, but also cleaning the entire drivetrain ie cassette, derailleurs, chainrings as well as the chain? I immerse hot dip wax my chain and i no longer have to carry out any cleaning of the drivetrain which used to take way longer then the entire hot wax process. Also no more dirty fingers etc if i ever need to remove the rear wheel, fix a puncture, reset a dropped chains, etc. No more chain ring calf tattoo either!
@draugmithrin
2 сағат бұрын
That's the main benefit, everything stays cleaner, working on the bike is not a chore with black oily grime to tackle first.
@chrisbuttine6869
2 сағат бұрын
I do all my own maintenance work except for facing as the tools are too expensive for a once in a blue moon need. Turned my neighbor onto it when moved into the neighborhood he’s not only convinced; his wife is too as their toddler children don’t come back in from the garage all covered in dirty grease from touching his bikes.
@joystation1
56 минут бұрын
@@draugmithrin The main benefit of waxing is the very low wear rates of the chain, cassette and chain rings but cleanliness of the drivetrain comes a close second 🙂
@stevenqirkle
Сағат бұрын
I’ve been using Squirt now for about a year, and it’s great. Runs super quiet, and much cleaner to work with than oil lubes.
@Sutlore007
7 сағат бұрын
Waxing chain is amazing, I have to admit that. But when the chain gets wet, you have to wipe it dry and rewax after, otherwise corrosion is going to be the problem.
@benjaminquest6165
3 сағат бұрын
You can mitigate this problem by putting on a stainless steel chain (e.g. from Connex) or get one of those hard chrome finished SRAM XX1 Eagle chains. They are more costly, but if you use wax, it could be that the next chain purchase is years and years away (you can get 14K km on an XX1 chain with no detectable wear).
@thenayancat8802
Сағат бұрын
Seems a bit of an issue in the uk
@jimbo9030
6 сағат бұрын
I think you'll find that this video is more a support video for Adam at Zero Friction Cycling after the attacks that he's been getting from Hambini and the threats to his family from Hambini's followers.
@philipcooper8297
7 сағат бұрын
Imagine Karate Kid being about cycling... you could still use the ''wax on, wax off'' line from the script and it would make perfect sense.
@CS1174
5 сағат бұрын
Started waxing a year ago. 900 miles on two chains, wear according to Pedros chain checker is seemingly good as new chain. Chain and drive train feels new every time I ride. So, unscientific real world use ‘feels’ loads better and appears to be less wear (UK northern all year round conditions). Hardly ever need to clean the bike and when I do it’s quick, easy and clean. Waxing was an initial process with chain prep and up front cost but I’ve saved loads of time and money in the long run, using MSW, a slow cooker and latterly Silca’s pot. I wouldn’t go back to oil.
@chrisbuttine6869
2 сағат бұрын
I’ve been hot waxing using Molten Speed Wax for the past 9 years. I may have missed it - it’s important to strip the chain of the factory lube as well as your cassette, chain rings and pulleys of grease, oil and grime from pre-waxing. To that end it’s easiest when setting up a new bike, or at least replacing the chain and cassette. The above is true about stripping whether hot waxing or using the emulsion.
@alastairgodfrey
59 минут бұрын
Fully agree. I get about 2x chain life in the winter and 5x or more in dry weather. Overall time spent is less due to cleaning time. Rotate 3 chains so always have an easy swap over.
@iannelson7508
7 сағат бұрын
My method - old rice cooker, 12 paraffin wax candles, 500ml paraffin oil. Perfect, under under $20. The oil makes the candle wax more flexible. Don’t over think it!
@LZ---
5 сағат бұрын
So true! All these hyped speciality wax products are not worth it in my honest opinion. Keep it easy and simple with pure paraffin!
@awesomexistence
2 сағат бұрын
Add some Teflon powder. Amazon has it fairly inexpensive and commercial mixes use it as an additive.
@BooklessT
7 сағат бұрын
I blocked my nozzle when I was waxing - now there's a chat up line I've never used
@einundsiebenziger5488
5 сағат бұрын
The thumbnail caption says "I wish I knew this" which would mean you still do not know. But you do know, otherwise you could not tell it to others, so the caption should be "I wish I had* known* this (before)".
@sebastianschreiber5302
7 сағат бұрын
its a bit weird to say that waxing your chain is considered more time consuming than just using oil. But spending a considerable amount of time degreasing the chain isn't time consuming? Getting all the crap out of your drive isn't anoying? Just recently got into biking again and one my very first I was looking into was how do I avoid an oily drive train and preserve it for longer? Answer is wax. Its only 500km down the line but the advantage of wax is quite clear. The cassette, the chain and the chain ring are staying squaky clean. I dont care too much about the watts saved. But not needing to clean my drive train is a game changer. Hot Wax is mostly a passive process and doesnt require much manual work. Drip on wax requires the same amount of time than oil drip on. Minus the entire clean up process which can be skipped by and large.
@mircozelle
7 сағат бұрын
pretty sure that many people who still use oil based lubricants do rarely or never clean the drivetrain and just replace the chain more often. while i dont think its better, it sure is less effort.
@blahqwe
6 сағат бұрын
But not all oils are equal, using silca's synrgetic I barely have to clean the chain.
@sebastianschreiber5302
3 сағат бұрын
@@blahqwe you are right a good wet lube is much better than a bad one. However wax brings much less dirt into the chain.
@daneilsteenkamp6886
2 сағат бұрын
Immersive hot wax all the way for the win. Forget about all the other oils, drip waxes and snake oil elixirs.
@SteiraMan
Сағат бұрын
Great video! I don't care, if wax or oil is on my chain, I just want to ride my bike, without putting a lot of time into maintainace to keep my bikes in good condition. Wax seems to be more time consuming, this is why I continue with liquid lubrication.
@ivanjednobiegowiec7656
Сағат бұрын
In my experience of hot melt waxing I would never go back to any other method, except for being out and about without means to re-apply. Still would go with cold-drip first. My top tip, is obsessive cleaning procedure, including ultrasound wash. On the road I can squeeze 600-830km out of single waxing, without re-apply. Sadly hot melt is not so good lasting off road. 150km or there abouts and you start to hear squeaking noises from the drivetrain. I'm talking about unfavorable, wet, muddy conditions. In dry I suspect it will last better, however dry conditions and UK do not mesh too often xD Another top tip, use 2 or even 3 chains. Once one is getting dry, just pop fresh, waxed chain on and re-apply onto the old one/ones once you have a mo.
@boy638
7 сағат бұрын
Keep in mind Silca is a sponsor of this channel even if they may not specifically sponsor this video. However, waxing chain is worth it.
@global_nomad.
4 сағат бұрын
been waxing for about 4 or 5 years....hot waxing now and using drip wax as back up....chain lasting much much longer, no doubt. thanks for the history lesson. It does pick up a little gunk, and can wash of quicker than oil based lubes, but no where near the mess that lubes generate on the way to damaging your chain.Overall the extra faff is worth it (similar argument for road tubeless)
@neilturner2068
5 сағат бұрын
I used to have to replace a chain every 6-7000 km using oil based lubes. My current chain is waxed and its done 10 000km and the chain checker is still showing it new. I hot melt the wax but top it up with the drip on wax. Then every 1500km or so take it off, wash it in hot water and re apply the hot melt wax. It takes a maximum of about 30 minutes
@jbarner13
3 сағат бұрын
There are similar dialogs around lubrication of machine tools, but Rule #1 is always given as "Any oil is better than no oil." In fact, the wrong oil will get you about 95% or closer, to pull a number out of the air. I started dipping the chain of my track bike in melted paraffin over 30 years ago, largely because I wasn't riding it all that much, and I wanted to keep it in a bedroom, so chain cleanliness was my objective. I found I had to re-apply the straight paraffin every couple of rides, which was not a routine that would work for my road bikes. Along the way I tried a variety of commercial and home brew lubes, even mixes of chainsaw bar oil (super-tacky), Teflon, and light oil. Really, the easiest and most effective has been a low-budget version of the drip-emulsion approach, Dupont Chain-Saver. I just apply this the night before, spraying it on the inside (the top of the bottom run) of the chain while pedaling it backwards until the entire chain is wet. The volatiles evaporate, leaving a dry chain with a wax coating externally and internally. I still get some buildup over time that requires drivetrain cleaning, but it's pretty minimal, and drivetrain life has been quite good. I plan to do some more experimentation with a hot mix of paraffin, moly disulfide, and Teflon powder, but for now at least, the Dupont Chain-Saver is doing a fine job at a super-cheap price.
@draugmithrin
2 сағат бұрын
Got in the habit of Silca hot waxing even on the commute bike, wouldn't go back to a black oily dirty drivetrain. Just rotate 2 or 3 chains per bike so you don't have to rush rewaxing, use an Xpower air duster to dry chain. Never had a problem with quick links or corrosion but I use good plated YBN/CONNEX 7 speed or 9 speed chains. Just air dust, wipe and rewax, never bother washing chains after initial prep for waxing.
@johnstrac
3 сағат бұрын
Nice one Brian, I'm not a "waxer" but I will turn to your videos if I ever decide to.
@boudoir00
7 сағат бұрын
A Silca Ad in disguise… But yes, I love their products and I wax my chain, I also use Super Secret to top it up in between waxings. On the commuter bike, I use Squirt which I find is much better in the rain, although the chain wears more.
@slipperman61
5 сағат бұрын
I use a double boiler. I start by placing the chain in the lower pot and bring the water to a boil. Old wax floats to the top where ti llit can be poured off. Pull the chain out and let it dry, which doesn't take long since it's hot. Then i melt wax in the upper pot and submerge wax in the usual way.
@pugrot6815
7 сағат бұрын
I couldnt watch with the Silca logos everywhere. Put a advertorial stamp somewhere sheesh. MSW FTW😄
@888julianman
7 сағат бұрын
Yep , too much
@nainex52
6 сағат бұрын
Effetto Mariposa Flowerpower Wax Lube if you want something ALOT cheaper than Silca (especially their 500ml bottle). I used many different brands of wax lube BLUB, Finish Line, Muc-off, Squirt but Effetto is the cleanest (Zerofriction aka Frictionfacts also ranks it highly)
@gailtucker2699
3 сағат бұрын
Gone from White Lightening to Squirt to Smoove. Hose down sometimes after a ride and leave it outside to dry, put it in the storeroom and the outside of thr chain shows rust in places. So i can see that dipping a chain in wax would be better than just dripping wax onto the rollers.
@paulprice630
2 сағат бұрын
I do both. Hot wax like once per year and top off with the Super secret liquid wax every few rides. Will never go back to oil lube. Chain is always clean.
@roberttell1587
3 сағат бұрын
I really like wax on my fair weather bike. For my winter commuter (it rains all winter here) I went back to oil lube. Wax had to be reapplied so much that it was more of a mess than the oil.
@RenghisKhan
11 минут бұрын
I use hot wax once a year and touch it up with Squirt Lube about once a month. Clean chain, cogs and pants, silent and no cleaning required. I'm never ever going to use oil again. It feels like I finally escaped the middle ages.
@robertculver3296
7 сағат бұрын
Definite hot wax with bit of teflon powder in the 'slow cooker' with 4 chains on the go. Cleaning is hot water, then ultrasonic, then a 5min soak in the hot wax. Use in MTB as well - hose after dirty rides and quick wipe - only change chain every couple of months
@thegorillaguide
5 сағат бұрын
The main hassle for me is cleaning the factory lubricant from the chain before the first wax application. Isn't it time chain manufacturers provided either unlubed chains or with a choice of lubricant types.
@benjaminquest6165
3 сағат бұрын
There are several offering of pre-waxed chains, but they're often quite expensive (Cyclowax, SILCA, Optimize, Connex). I found the SILCA Chain stripper to be very convenient (and not cheap, but you can use a coffee filter and re-use the stripper at least two times), or, for a new chain, the Strip-Chip from SILCA, it was a game changer for me: new chain + strip chip into your hot wax, 10' at 125 °C, 10' at 75 °C and you're done.
@thegorillaguide
2 сағат бұрын
@@benjaminquest6165 The ones you mention are effectively resellers who prep then sell the chain. As you say, they're expensive. Also, stripping the grease from a chain is easy, but messy and time wasting. I just don't want to have to do it.
@benjaminquest6165
Сағат бұрын
@@thegorillaguide Oh, stripping the grease off the chain is super fast with the strip chip (it takes just the time to put the chip into the wax pot before regularly waxing the chain, so about 2 seconds). 🙂 And with the Chain Stripper from SILCA it was also really fast and not messy at all (as compared to what you see with several bottles of organic stuff and so), it was a 30 min procedure with about 5 min hands on. De-greasing was holding be off from waxing but with the two options form SILCA it became a non-issue.
@steveb0503
3 сағат бұрын
I live in an area where there is SO much sand - this also means that there is sand-dust EVERYWHERE. Oil based lube is simply NOT an option.
@bertrandbogaert771
4 сағат бұрын
The formula of paraffin wax with PTFE powder (TY Oz Cycling) works IMO best for my type of riding. I have tried the formula with Tungstein bla bla bla nano particles and had to apply more frequently the waxing process. Now I use melted candles with PTFE powder rotating 3 chains per bike. When my 3th chain need to be re-waxed I do all 3 chains, 1 after an other while I clean my bike. This is part of my maintenance routine. I rode with 1 chain around 12000Kms before I had to renew the chain. Problem is that a new chain on that drive train is more noisy due to small amount of wear on it. Reason why I start with 3 chains on a new drive train. Keep on waxing and ride safe.
@mauricetremblay1324
7 сағат бұрын
Love my Silca products. I have converted a few friends as well after they saw I have a better lubed drivetrain. Cheers
@JimKJeffries
3 сағат бұрын
I have not used wax, because i am in northeast Ohio (lots of wet & frozen wet), & i live off my bicycle. Use a Rohloff rear to a single ring on the front, so the chain can last a long time (compared to before with a cassette). Go ride. Know your/you're love
@Onroulelaboule
2 сағат бұрын
Ok for my experience with waxing chain. We mostly bikepacking and bike touring gravel riding for many weeks at a time. Waxing soaking with a new chain seem good for the first 1k, after that, it is very hard to manage it. Even double drip waxing every 200km is not enough to prevent rapid worn-out of the chain. We only did 2450km with both brand new 11x chain and Silca wax before it was dead. Waxing is no more better to expand life of the chain like many say! The only good value waxing chain in bikepacking is that it keep everything so much cleaner and quiet and very good in rainy weather. If you have better experience tell me!
@joystation1
5 минут бұрын
You reckon that waxing doesn't make your chain last longer ? So all these people, me included, who are getting 10,000 miles from a waxed chain when they were getting half that at best from an oiled chain are wrong ? I don't think so.
@saltybike
7 сағат бұрын
Great to hear your journey though the waxing options. I have been using wax for a while and find the hardest part is getting all the oil from the existing chain to start with and the products to do this are expensive. Any tips?
@mircozelle
7 сағат бұрын
boil in water + soap/cleaner (also, kmc and connex are starting to sell waxed chains)
@eyeq1451
7 сағат бұрын
Get a drivetrain cleaner replenishment bottle (I use Muc-Off drivetrain cleaner), pour a little bit of it into a jar with a screw-on lid, put the new chain in it, shake it about a minute, get the chain out, rinse it with tap water, hang it up to dry, done.
@aveedub7403
7 сағат бұрын
Hi there, I have multiple chains used in rotation now. I let any factory pregreased chain soak in turpentine or paraffin for a while. In case of turps I leave it thoroughly bathed for a couple of weeks in a waterproof lidded plastic container, and give it a gentle shake or stir every now and again. Once I think no residual grease I use a degreaser wash, such as Virasol, for say 10 mins, rinse with water, followed by an isopropyl bath for a few minutes let chain evaporate / dry with micofibre cloth. Now wax the chain remembering to take chain out of hot wax bath slowly to prevent wax running off too quickly and losing any benefit. Btw KMC now do pre waxed chains for around £30, which avoids all the initial processes above! Obviously the rest of drive train such as jockey wheels, sprockets etc should all be oil and grease free before using the waxed chain 😁😁😁
@vinicius9670
2 сағат бұрын
Hot water plus degreaser is the best method besides ultrasonic. If the chain is too dirt you may have to repeat the process.
@benjaminquest6165
Сағат бұрын
The SILCA chain stripper is expensive, but the nice thing is that you can pour it through a coffee filter and reuse it several times. That reduces the costs per de-greasing significantly. And one has to do it only for a new chain, so that bottle will last for 20+ chains. Most other more cost effective options I know produce to much organic waste that I have difficulties recommending them. I haven't tried boiling in dishwasher yet, but the factory grease is really a hard nut to bust for the regular detergents.
@justliberty4072
7 минут бұрын
The only drip wax I have tried (Squ...) is softer than melt-wax and retains dirt much more; the chain looks black almost as quickly as it does with a regular oil. Melt-wax chains stay much cleaner. I only use drip-wax to top up when I've run out of waxed chains and don't have time to do the waxing. As stated by others, waxing two or more chains, or at least waxing one before it is needed, limits many of the potential problems with waxing.
@djrlloyd
5 сағат бұрын
I don’t wax my chain for the marginal gains. I do it to have a clean chain at all times. No more oily markers on me or anything that happens to touch the chain. Worth a bit of extra hassle in my view.
@KJ7JHN
Сағат бұрын
The viscosity of grease vs oil is hands down oil. They spin exceptionally faster with oil. Have you tried mineral spirits on your chain?
@crunchycrispybacon
2 сағат бұрын
I finally came to the conclusion that if you have a boron nitride coated chain, you don’t need any lube.
@biketrip2011
4 сағат бұрын
Waxing for a year and will never go back to oil based lubricant. While the drip based wax is good, it really should be used on a hot waxed chain between rides or on a cleaned/stripped chain. Silca is by far the best system.
@Justmarcusdave
Сағат бұрын
Started waxing thanks to oz cycle about 3 yrs ago and will never go back even on my commuter in a uk winter, just run 2 chains
@itsianwood
4 сағат бұрын
'I wish I HAD KNOWN...', not 'knew'! Good vid., by the way!👍
@VictorYepello
5 сағат бұрын
I love the concept but find that my customers are not interested. I think the reason is it takes more care to keep the chain lubed (not true with the new emulsion products) but in any case, I can't seem to sell it. I love it and the new emulsion products from Silca.
@DMcTyke
2 сағат бұрын
I'm surprised that Alex failed to mention THE MOST IMPORTANT THING regarding chain waxing, which is to fully degrease the chain prior to waxing for the first time.
@MrSofokles
3 сағат бұрын
Personally, I started using Silca wax. In my experience, my only regret is that I didn't know about it sooner. All the problems from the dirty chain have stopped and even after 800 miles the chain is not dirty. And the maintenance? I throw the chain in hot wax and wash the bicycle in the meantime.
@PoulHansenDK
7 сағат бұрын
I´m still waiting for the ideal lubricant for millions of riders who don´t race the TdF and don´t mind losing a watt as long as it: drips on, protects the chain against rust and don´t get your fingers dirty. if it keeps for 1000 km, I wouldn't mind either. PS: Using Smoove with the new Luberetta applicator, or just the Luberetta on it's own, is just as easy as using oil. The Smoove is better at rustprotection than Super Secret but does get a little black over time.
@benjaminquest6165
3 сағат бұрын
Try Flower Power form Effetto Mariposa. Drips on, reasonably protects the chain against rust, doesn't get your fingers dirty, keeps up to 250-350 km (but relubing is a breeze).
@pistonburner6448
2 сағат бұрын
@@PoulHansenDK Maybe (covered) shaft drive really is the way to go in the end...
@PoulHansenDK
Сағат бұрын
@@pistonburner6448 motor in rear hub and generator in th crankbox,-)
@pistonburner6448
Сағат бұрын
@@PoulHansenDK Hehe, then we could even add hand cranks and a pulley system on the handlebar to allow utilization of all kinds of muscle groups for generating power, not just legs!
@paddylogan13
2 сағат бұрын
The single biggest advantage of waxing is a clean chain and not having to degrease. I would never return to oiling my chain.
@MrSmoothasf
7 сағат бұрын
Kmc chains always come with a coating that i swear must be wax. Online forums used to say to remove the coating but I never did, the chain would last forever with this coating on and stayed clean looking, also you've triggered the geek in me, why are you sticking to bike waxs, how about caranuba wax, or ceramic car wax?
@James-zu1ij
4 сағат бұрын
I just buy white candles, and melt them in a pan. There after, I use white lightning squirty wax before every ride. It is infinitely cleaner, and the thing that I noticed is that a new 11 speed block could be used without the chain skipping with an old chain. So obviously my bits were not wearing out. I re-wax my chain about every 6 months. It is probably a good idea to buy and wax 4 chains at once and just replace as necessary. It is then a simple task to re-wax the 3 chains at the same time.
@SianaGearz
3 сағат бұрын
This is vaguely what i plan on doing, having heard of chain waxing just recently, using the things that i have at hand. But on an oldschool 3x7 drivetrain :D I'll also apply some PTFE dry-lube on the chain before immersing it, if i'm lucky some of it will settle in there. Though i have a 3x7 drivetrain, and the chain will be for the time being a department store chain, Chinese made (ZSC)... let's see how good or terrible the chain is, the safety is less critical than with modern 1x11s, i think, and if it holds up fine i'll just order a bunch of those exact chains directly from China. For maintenance drip-on wax i'm thinking the Decathlon one - is it great? probably not, but it's accessible and inexpensive. If the outcome isn't satisfactory, and i need actual good chain, well unfortunately my preferred and trusted brick and mortar bicycle store which sold KMC chains has shut down... have to find a new one i suppose.
@SuperHeavy-bw3gk
Сағат бұрын
Having tried Silca, MSW, Wolf Blood, Smoove etc I've found hot wax bath then every 2 to 3 weeks top up with Tru Tension all weather Tungsten lube.... its wax but in alcohol NOT water... no need to warm up the water based wax lube like smoove and squirt ... if you know you know. Hot wax bath then Tru Tension all weather Tungsten wax lube 👍👍
@tonysadler5290
7 сағат бұрын
Why ? is it we always get the comments on videos like this by shed bound old lags, about doing it the "old" traditional way, or modern stuff is rubbish in favour of spending time boiling your chain in some home brew consisting of products from the hardware shelves. I have visions of roadies dancing around a couldren mumbling incantations from the advertising blurb like Macbeth's witches. I am a mountain bike rider, I Iisten on with a bemused smile. My needs are different, and indeed we in MTB world have our own fair share of back garden "experts". Thank you Alex and Ollie for intresting, informative and amusing content. I enjoy your programmes - even though I'll never get a road bike (but I do have a straight bar hybred tourer). Want a chat about disc brakes, tubless tyres, cable free shifting anyone?
@sssxxxttt
6 сағат бұрын
Liked that. Funny, I’m into road and enjoy my gravel bike. But I spent as much time listening to GMBN as GCN even if i never have owned a MTB
@migrantfamily
Сағат бұрын
I tried asking this question on a different channel but didn’t really get an answer. About this time last year I decided to try waxing my chain. I took a new chain, degreased it as thoroughly as I could, finally burning off the alcohol I had used to get the degreaser out. Then I dunked the chain in molten paraffin wax and put the chain on the bike. Not long after, we had a cold snap with temperatures in the double digits negative. It seems the wax got brittle in this cold and started flaking off. When it got milder again and they started salting the roads, that chain quickly descended into an ugly mess of rust. So, are there wax compounds that are more suitable for cold conditions (as in months of snow) or should I just give up on the idea altogether?
@crankshoptv
5 сағат бұрын
Shoot me, but a few minutes with a microfibre and brake cleaner, followed with a light lubing with your preferred lube is all you need. The miniscule amount of watts you save added to the cost of time and equipment you need to do this stuff just isn't worth it for almost every rider. Spend that time and money going for a short ride to your local coffee shop with a mate.
@awesomexistence
2 сағат бұрын
Dissgree but not gonna shoot you. The lube that comes on a new chain is more a protection from rust. The Wet lubes most would use are dirt magnates and require periodic cleaning and relube (you do this). Initial setup costs can be very cheap with a 2nd hand crockpot, good quality paraffin, isopropyl, and teflon powder. My initial investment is under $40US and gave me a lifetime of lube (may need to replenish ISOPROPYL every couple of years but it’s cheap). Time of maintenance is likely as quick as yours. Blow off chain with high pressure air nozzle (or hot water rinse), drip on my wax mix, hair dryer to force into the links, all less than 10minutes. Benefits are long chain and cog-set life (12,000miles last chain, cogs still good). Never a chain tattoo or messy fingers changing flats. Dirt and road grit (the killer of chain/cog-set life) aren’t nearly the problem as wet lubes. ROI is quick with less chain/Cog-set replacement.
@crankshoptv
2 сағат бұрын
@awesomexistence personally I don't clean a new chain, I take it out for a ride and then on my first clean I use a pick at an angle to get the worms out the pulleys, takes seconds. From then on a microfibre, two or three puffs of brake cleaner and then some drops of effetto flower power the night before a ride and she's good to go, seconds. Chains last me about a year, I ride a couple times a week and buy mid range chains. My chains are never that grubby anyways, because they're not that lubed. I still reckon you spend way more money and time (same thing) on chains/chain maintenance than I do, do you install a new link when you remove the chain? Which chain make and model do you use? Of course it's all dependent on priorities, riding conditions, time, types of bike, types of chain, money and preference. If it wasn't there wouldn't be any options anyway and the world would be full of boring people that all do the same thing.
@OperationDarkside
Сағат бұрын
Question (commenters can answer too): I ride very dirty trails multiple times a week. They have everything from leaves, sand, dust, mud, gravel (big and small) to asphalt. The bike with the newer chain stays cleaner for longer, but the old (20 years) bike's chain look terrible after a single ride. So here's my options: 1. Clean after every ride (don't like it. I'm not very disciplined) 2. Wax the chain 3. Just buy a new one
@mad4mymini
Сағат бұрын
Oil based chain lubricants attract and hold dirt. Wax based lubricants don’t so wax is better for off-road riding.
@kevinrowe456
5 сағат бұрын
Can’t believe people are faffing about with wax lube or so called expensive cycle chain lubes I’ve never ever used anything other than engine oil over 40 plus years of cycling.
@OldManAzeban
3 сағат бұрын
I wonder the longevity of chain waxing compared amongst different cycling disciplines? I would presume that chains last longer on road specific bikes as compared to those used for gravel and mountain biking. The conditions more than likely play the biggest variable/factor.
@ildigergelysteinbach2380
4 сағат бұрын
What about rainy rides, I think there is also conditions in which oil based lubing is a better option (easier and the friction may also be lower at the end of your day). But you should be lucky to have a bike (or at least a drive train /chain) for this days 😇
@teckendrums
7 сағат бұрын
so where i live we have more than 130 days of rain in a year, would waxing still be beneficial? and can i just use some candels and a old soup can to heat them up in?
@ZukaDon
2 сағат бұрын
Team oil, deffinetly. I don't do performance riding, instead commuting 40 km daily. I tried wax once, pre waxed chain from the bike shop new and then maintained it with drip on. However, when riding through Enlish / Dutch weather daily, I find that wax needs replacement very much more often, and noticing that it needs it comes on much more sudden. Then requiring maintenance at pretty inconvenient moments during the workweek. In my mind it's a luxury product. And when you need to wash your bike more often then you generally need to lube the chain, wax becomes time consuming and more expensive because it just washes away every time.
@Zylenxx
7 сағат бұрын
pov: you use industrial-grade lubricant meant for keeping friction off of high torque gearing on large lathe machines (no really, i personally found that to be the best for any bicycle i have now, definetly doesnt have any friction losses anymore and it really keeps on the chain - having to only replace it perhaps once every two months. i personally had awful experience with waxing due to the wax not staying on nearly long enough, so i switched to oil based lubrication)
@liamgaul
6 сағат бұрын
what is this lubricant called? Presumably, if it's meant for high torque machines then it is going to be more viscous and more attractive to dirt. The friction losses come from all the road grit, sand and dirt that sticks to oil-based lubricants and turns them into a grinding paste. Without regular degreasing, all oil-based lubricants become friction-heavy, gritty, grinding pastes that wear away components because it is impossible for them to stay free of contaminants. Solid waxes just don't pick up or trap dirt in the same way so, in the real world, lubricate far more effectively.
@etienneboucher9510
5 сағат бұрын
11:35 "TeamOil or TeamWax", well neither nor: my wax emultion got washed so easy I quit, and my TeflonEmulsion offers such a fluidity and Clealiness: no dust sticking
@steveherring8494
7 сағат бұрын
Hi, I think I’ve tried a chain lube called dry lube. I personally thought it was horrible. It had stuff floating in the solutine and my chain was very loud. I went back to the chain lube I was using on my KZ-1000 which made the chain almost noise free. I know DR O is trying to get this wax on everybody’s chain. I guess I should just get a new chain and just experiment with it. I’m just not sold on the wax yet. Kinda like the tubeless tire stuff. I’m not sold on that either. I’ll get another chain and try it ollie.
@jeskli11
6 сағат бұрын
Once I've tried Silca Secret Chain Blend, I'm never putting oil on my chain ever again.
@UrbanoFloripa
4 сағат бұрын
A drop of smoove on each link on my MTB. 4,500 km so far and the wear hasn't even reached 0.5%.
@MichaelWerner-sr2pv
Сағат бұрын
Team Waxing, but i am struggeling with the question if i should keep waxing my commuter bike as well. Maybe I will switch back to oil on that one, because i am riding it a lot in the rain, and during winter on salty streets.
@ShermanKenB
4 сағат бұрын
Ha! Black goopy chain vs plain simple hot melt parrifin wax, a no brainier for me.
@philrobson4287
Сағат бұрын
I only use organic Mānuka Honeycomb wax from the western highlands of New Zealand.
@leightondavies8884
5 сағат бұрын
Are you on commission for every mention of waxing a chain , it seems like it’s the buzz word these days and your not cool if you don’t wax - that’s just my opinion of course but it seems it’s almost as if there’s an agenda behind all the promotion of waxing a chain. I’m fairly confident that regular cleaning and lube is sufficient for the masses - I’m open to persuading argument’s -- for me though just too much faff
@zygmuntthecacaokakistocrat6589
5 сағат бұрын
. . . then I saw the Silca snake oil, sorry, stuff on the bench and just thought "Nah".
@benjaminquest6165
3 сағат бұрын
I won't be that harsh over their products, they actually test and perform really well. Whether you can get 90% of the effect at 10% of the price is a different story. But snake oil it's not (this is rather most of the wet lube stuff ...).
@mrsmradoch9584
Сағат бұрын
I wax 1,5 years now... But I still don't know certainly, when is the right time to rewax, how to get it to understand when to rewax?
@shamendra.sakthivel
8 сағат бұрын
Hey guys, this is more of a tech clinic question but still, when I'm rewaxing my chain I first dump it in hot water to get the old wax out. When I take out the chain it has remnants of the old wax in the inner outer link interface. Is it ok to wax the chain with it being there or do I have to painstakingly go through every link with a needle to remove it. Thanks
@pistonburner6448
8 сағат бұрын
You need to take one end of the chain in front of you in one hand, take the other end behind you with the other hand with the chain going from between your legs. Then pull both ends up and start moving the ends backwards and forwards. That should clean the chain properly, at least if you haven't waxed yourself. Then you can insert a bar of wax up between your legs and repeat the aforementioned procedure to apply the wax. Simple and easy!
@HenningGu
7 сағат бұрын
I've noticed this on my first rewax too, but didn't think much about it and went ahead. I've now done.... what.... 6, 7 rewaxes now and it didn't seem to hurt the wax. I did put it in hot water once at like the third rewax though.
@Ernie_13
7 сағат бұрын
@@pistonburner6448you’re not funny nor helpful to the guy….so take your joke between your legs and let it sit where it belongs.
@simonRt
7 сағат бұрын
Only use hot water after a mud packed bad conditions ride. If it's usual dry road usage just wipe the outside with cloth and you're golden. Been waxing for some time that way and my chain lasts 10k km with less than 0.2% elongation wear. And I add UFO drip sometimes, not using hot water after it either.
@kpbmx
5 сағат бұрын
Haven’t tried. Love the idea of a clean chain but I guess if most of my rides involve lanes/mud/water even in summer, probably not advised right? (Long time Fenwicks Pro user)
@keithjenkins7919
4 сағат бұрын
Found it did not prevent rusting.
@whothefoxcares
4 сағат бұрын
bacon grease can lube your chain and attract fast dogs.
@impaledface7694
7 минут бұрын
I have lots of oil on hand, so that's why I do it. I will try wax soon enough
@atlantaswelder
7 сағат бұрын
No, No, No: Hot Wax Emulsion is the only way to wax properly. When you dunk the chain, let it warm, jiggle jiggle all the debris fall off the chain. The debris settle to the bottom of the tank and you're good to go for the next application. Every other method is inferior and junk. I'm sorry if this offends you but this protocol both cleans and lubricates in one process. Very cost efficient once set up.
@meZeusta14
2 сағат бұрын
I feel like I don't understand. How is the last product different than the first product? Don't they have the same problems? I use Squirt's Wax and Water Emulsion, and it always leaves a huge mess on the drivetrain. I ride places that are dry, but very dusty. It seems to grab onto all that dust and keep it caked on the gears and chain.
@adamanderson1212
3 сағат бұрын
If you wax your chain, do you need to remove the chain before you wash your bike?
@monkedx
5 сағат бұрын
I love my wax, but one thing that always piss me off is the flaking of excessive wax. Especially when I do both indoor and outdoor riding.
@keithjenkins7919
4 сағат бұрын
Agree, it ends up bonded to the chaining teeth etc and is a bugger to get off, plus does nothing to prevent rusting in the wet. Gave up on it
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