How did you guys go about cleaning the big and small chainring the first time around before your transition to waxing?
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Hi Guys,
I went thru about 200 posts here, and I really need some help. I live in India and I cant understand or find on Amazon what you guys call mineral spirits, and denatured alcohol which are mentioned on the moltenspeedwax video that has been posted here.
Any suggestions as to what I can use? I have diesel, isopropyl alcohol, surgical spirit etc which are available locally.
Also, I had just ordered an ultrasound cleaner, but canceled it after reading here that after an initial cleaning, you dont really need to clean the drive train at all? Is that really true?
Also, this is what I have on my local amazon. Which wax would you guys suggest from these?
I’ve never used diesel, but have used regular petrol (gasoline) and it great at stripping a chain, it just dangerous and difficult to discard.
Boiling water and liquid dish soap after the initial cleaning works very well. The chain just needs to be really really clean before waxing, most of these chemicals will get the job done, just take your time and really get it clean. Even if its not perfect, waxing and rewaxing will work out any remaining grease over time.
Any of the paraffin wax items on your list will work, did you get a crock pot?
Mike
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In the UK, it’s called White Spirit.
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Thanks for the help. Getting one tomorrow. For some strange reason wife does not seem willing to allow me to use the one we cook in.
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Yes they don’t find that appealing - I got a used at local thrift store as my wife was in that same situation. mine only has one handle, but it dedicated to waxing chains. I just leave my wax in the pot afterwards, it takes about an hour to melt so either will work, they will both turn to liquid when heated, I do not think it matters if it is a block or granules.
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Either. Both work.
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I use just enough wax to cover the chain so granules would make it easier to top up, Or pour the melted wax in to a foil lined tray then when it has cooled you can break off as much as you want.
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So, saw a video where a guy suggested adding PTFE powder. That will take some organising for me, so how many of you actually use an additive like that vs just plain paraffin wax?
I use paraffin i got from Walmart and been working fine for me.
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I bought a bag of Molten Speed Wax to begin experimenting with chain waxing. I know a bag will last quite a while, but would you recommend cutting it with regular paraffin to stretch it longer?
Additionally, where are folks getting their quick/master links? It seems like they’re currently more expensive then I remember.
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Yeah, it’d work. Tbh, MSP’s unique selling point is that it has Molybdenum in it. People are gravitating towards straight PTFE (teflon) these days and/or just using paraffin for ease of use. Adding more paraffin just makes it have less moly but I’d doubt you’d notice the difference
Usually amazon or smaller LBS. Supply chains have been disrupted so expect there to be a higher price as a result.
I use Molten Speed Wax but, tbh, I’m thinking of switching to straight paraffin once i’m used up.
Given that waxed chains last 2-300km, thats usually my weekly ride amount. I end up swapping the chain on my rest days for another that I’ve waxed. In the end, this amount of swapping has made me realize it’s just easier to get paraffin wax rather than deal with additives and trying to find the perfect mix since I’ll lose the waxed chain feeling all the same as the week goes on.
That said, if racing, that would be a different story. But you’re chasing marginal gains of 1-2 watts when most of us mortals should do things like lose weight or train a bit harder.
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Hi there. As I can see it is not so easy 
Thanks for the useful information.
Very true. Chain degreased can be a pain but like everything gets easier as you do it. After that very quick to rewax with paraffin only. I put my chain in the ultrasonic prior to rewaxing to get some road junk off of it but not 100% necessary. I figure since I bought the US might as well use it.
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Not sure if anybody does this but after a wet/gritty race I take off my chain and drop it in a bottle of mineral spirits for the drive home. This time I used some safety pins to keep the chain from tangling inside the bottle. “Safety” pins…what a misnomer!! IMG_6914 2|375x500
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I use YBN QRs11 quick links. They are reusable 5 times so works out to well under $1 per use. I got a half dozen last year off eBay which will last me a long time. Or you can use the Connex Links which also don’t require a tool to install/remove.
I’ve been trying to find some decent prices on the YBN quicklinks but it seems like they are few and far between at the moment. Merlin Cycles seems like the only place to get a decently priced Connex link, but then you’re dealing with approximately 2 weeks shipping and you get a $26 shipping charge.