Waxing Bicycle Chains

[greglepore]

I have the tool you posted above, its "is" the shimano tool that is considerably more-made by the folks that make it for shimano. I really like it; previously did the "top of chain and stomp" method but the tool is easier.

[rwest]

So here’s something sort of cool: automatic chain waxing machine! Still in development, but apparently being tested during the Tour by one team.

https://www.cyclowax.com/pages/the-next-generation-of-chain-waxing

Any guesses to cost? I’m thinking $800 or more.

To me, the actual removal, waxing and installation isn’t too much work. The biggest pain and time suck was the initial degreasing, but once done, you never have to do it again unless you get another chain. I did 4 chains, so hopefully I have many years until I need to redo my drivetrain.

[greglepore]

Originally Posted by rwest

So here’s something sort of cool: automatic chain waxing machine! Still in development, but apparently being tested during the Tour by one team.

https://www.cyclowax.com/pages/the-next-generation-of-chain-waxing

Any guesses to cost? I’m thinking $800 or more.

To me, the actual removal, waxing and installation isn’t too much work. The biggest pain and time suck was the initial degreasing, but once done, you never have to do it again unless you get another chain. I did 4 chains, so hopefully I have many years until I need to redo my drivetrain.

It would have to be cheaper than a quicklink to attract me.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by greglepore

It would have to be cheaper than a quicklink to attract me.

I had one of those plastic chain cleaners early on. It really only cleaned the surface. When I was seriously cycling (80-150 miles per week), as I said above, I would remove my chain, rear and front sprockets and drive train and clean it in an ultrasonic tank, every Friday night. If it rained, I would do it Saturday and/or Sunday night too. I'd remount everything and lubricate each link, individually. I had it down to less than an hour of work each week. I had a "go/no-go" measuring tool for chain stretch and would replace at 1/2 stretch. I'm a lower rpm "masher" and this is hard on chains.

[rwest]

Update time!

I just did my fifth re-waxing of all 4 chains this afternoon. I’m still sold on waxing and just love having a clean bike on every ride. Not missing the oil film all over the rear wheel and having to use degreaser to clean my bike.

I came home from a 50+ mile ride which put me over my ideal re-wax mileage, but the chain was smooth and quiet, so the wax hadn’t worn out yet.

I got my Crockpot out of the cabinet, set it on my table saw, plugged it in, set two chains on top of the solid wax, took a shower, put a pizza in the oven, ate the pizza, put some laundry in and checked the chains.

The wax was just about melted, so I let the chains soak a bit more then hung them on a nail board to dry and put the other two chains in and let them soak for twenty minutes to make sure they were as hot as the wax, then pulled them out and hung them up.

Such a simple process and since Crockpots are designed to run all day cooking pulled pork or whatever, the chains could sit in them until I got around to it, no rush or clock watching.

I just can’t come up with a downside in my situation.

Rutager

[LEAKYSEALS951]

I need to go redo some chains right now- infact, I rode today and was thinking about needing to get out the crockpot!

That said, I have only felt one drawback with the waxing- rain. If things get wet, about a week or so later things go squeaky. Not a bad thing, but, something I need to stay on top of.

Recently, I took a bike on a century, got rained/poured on, needed to take it out again, but it was needing some attention so I just tri-flowed it to get to the ride, but it made a mess and now I need to clean it all back off to get back to the waxed way of life.

The "triflow mess" meaning how I got through the first 40 years of my biking life.

Somebody even noticed the dirty drivetrain and commented- which was odd b/c I'm about the only one who goes through the trouble of waxing my goods!

I was thinking "Why are you singling me out? I usually have the cleanest drivetrains here, and in a world going to hell in a handbasket, why notice my triflow?"

In my current setup, a desnap the chain, fill a "7-11 big gulp cup" full of kerosene, drop in the chain in the 7--1 cup into the ultrasonic of dirty kerosene (good for the chainrings) and let it clean. It's about down to a science, and takes little time at all. The longest time is letting the chain cool down before I can grab it to reinstall without burning myself!

[john70t]

Try Boeshield T9 Chain Lube. It's a kind of wax-oil for a lot of applications.

Clean chain with solvent to remove grease, dry, carefully thoroughly coat, immediately wipe off excess, let sit a day or more to harden up and spin a few times meanwhile. Lasts a long time and you can probably Triflow over it if ever needed. It's very difficult to remove any built up later on..which is a good sign.

https://boeshield.com/bike/
https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/1242174-warning-boeshield-t9.html
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/my-review-of-boeshield-t9-chain-lube.187322/

[rwest]

Originally Posted by john70t

Try Boeshield T9 Chain Lube. It's a kind of wax-oil for a lot of applications.

Clean chain with solvent to remove grease, dry, carefully thoroughly coat, immediately wipe off excess, let sit a day or more to harden up and spin a few times meanwhile. Lasts a long time and you can probably Triflow over it if ever needed. It's very difficult to remove any built up later on..which is a good sign.

https://boeshield.com/bike/
https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/1242174-warning-boeshield-t9.html
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/my-review-of-boeshield-t9-chain-lube.187322/

On the Zero Friction website testing, the Boeshield ended up in the middle of the pack even in the wet, the immersive waxes did better.

In real wet weather, you are likely better off using a real good oil type lubricant, but your drivetrain will suffer and have a much shorter life due to all the grit it attracts.

I didn’t ride much in hard rain, so a wipe down with a microfiber cloth after the ride was all I needed to do.

[Racerbvd]

Turtle Wax...

[rwest]

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

I need to go redo some chains right now- infact, I rode today and was thinking about needing to get out the crockpot!

That said, I have only felt one drawback with the waxing- rain. If things get wet, about a week or so later things go squeaky. Not a bad thing, but, something I need to stay on top of.

Recently, I took a bike on a century, got rained/poured on, needed to take it out again, but it was needing some attention so I just tri-flowed it to get to the ride, but it made a mess and now I need to clean it all back off to get back to the waxed way of life.

The "triflow mess" meaning how I got through the first 40 years of my biking life.

Somebody even noticed the dirty drivetrain and commented- which was odd b/c I'm about the only one who goes through the trouble of waxing my goods!

I was thinking "Why are you singling me out? I usually have the cleanest drivetrains here, and in a world going to hell in a handbasket, why notice my triflow?"

In my current setup, a desnap the chain, fill a "7-11 big gulp cup" full of kerosene, drop in the chain in the 7--1 cup into the ultrasonic of dirty kerosene (good for the chainrings) and let it clean. It's about down to a science, and takes little time at all. The longest time is letting the chain cool down before I can grab it to reinstall without burning myself!

I bought four chains when I started this whole wax thing, so I usually have a fresh one that’s not hot out of the pot!

[rwest]

Originally Posted by Racerbvd

Turtle Wax...

I hear that’s slow!

[greglepore]

Originally Posted by rwest

On the Zero Friction website testing, the Boeshield ended up in the middle of the pack even in the wet, the immersive waxes did better.

In real wet weather, you are likely better off using a real good oil type lubricant, but your drivetrain will suffer and have a much shorter life due to all the grit it attracts.

I didn’t ride much in hard rain, so a wipe down with a microfiber cloth after the ride was all I needed to do.

Before you rely on Zero Friction, read this https://www.hambini.com/the-murky-world-of-zfc-zero-friction-cycling-botched-testing-frigged-results/

I know Hambini is a character, but he's an aerospace engineer and he makes valid points.

Fact is, I could care less about wattage gains etc. Waxing is just so much cleaner than wet lube, and it does attract less abrasive grit, which is why I do it.

[rwest]

Originally Posted by greglepore

Before you rely on Zero Friction, read this https://www.hambini.com/the-murky-world-of-zfc-zero-friction-cycling-botched-testing-frigged-results/

I know Hambini is a character, but he's an aerospace engineer and he makes valid points.

Fact is, I could care less about wattage gains etc. Waxing is just so much cleaner than wet lube, and it does attract less abrasive grit, which is why I do it.

I found Zero Friction after I had done all my waxing, so it was just another data point to make me feel good about my choice.

Same for me, my Jersey is a bit loose, my handlebars are too wide and my riding position is hardly aero. Watt savings have no bearing on my choice, the cleanliness and just as importantly longevity on my drivetrain are why I have been waxing now for over a year.

I’m running mid 2000’s Campagnolo 10 speed record and the parts are getting hard to find and are very expensive, so if I can get the gears to outlast the rest of the bike, I’ll be very happy.

[rwest]

Time for another update.

I just waxed all four chains again yesterday and looked at my mileage totals and drivetrain wear- chain checkers shows no discernible wear, but to be fair, my mileage is 4,600, so around 1,000 per chain.

More importantly, there has been a little springtime slop and all I had to do was put some automotive detailer spray on a microfiber towel and wipe down the bike to make it real pretty!

Oh, and I can grab my chain anytime and my hand will be clean or at worst, a few speckles of dust/dirt that wipes right off on my shorts- try that with an oiled chain after a long ride.