Quote:
Originally Posted by rwest
I’m positive that the total time involved in waxing the chain is much less than keeping a liquid lubed chain driveline and bike clean- just so much greasy slop all over the rear wheel and bike. Which means either a lot of time degreasing or riding a filthy bike that is slowly grinding all of your expensive gears with a dirt paste!
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I regularly ride three bikes (four if you count my literal grocery-getter) between 3500 and 4500 miles a year and even here in rainy PDX, I've been able to maintenance the three drivetrains in a way that strikes a balance between cost and effort that works for me. I also lube my chains a drop at a time, link by link; it takes a couple of minutes more, but it means my bike or rear wheel isn't covered in greasy slop and I don't like to ride a filthy bike; I wash my bikes when they're dirty, check and wipe the chains before each ride, I hot tank/ultrasonic my drive trains twice a year - at the end of the summer season and at the end of the winter season. It takes about three hours of shop time for all three bikes; a very pleasant morning in the garage. The parts last a long time using this method.
My friend Steve just bought a brand new Santa Cruz Stigmata gravel bike; he also bought and freshly waxed 2 brand new chains which he'll rotate to learn for himself what all the hubbub is about.