I actually bought a bottle of Squirt primarily to use as a top-up for my other chains when I couldnt re-wax them properly. I guess I could try it for the AXS as well? I’e actually found it runs amazingly smoothly just on a wet lube and as its a dry day bike its not been an issue yet.
Let us know how it goes.
Sorry this if this has been answered but this is a huge thread! Would a 2 QT slow cooker work or is it preferable to have something bigger?
Crock-Pot 2-QT Round Manual Slow Cooker, Black (SCR200-B) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004P2LEE0/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_YTWDGVNHYPFFKHYB5DK1
Also, I found a 4 QT at Walmart for $20. I know people sometimes pick these up for almost nothing at yards sales…just checking out my options.
Thanks all!!
I put three chains at a time in a 2qt with no issues.
2 qt is perfect
Changed my first waxed chain after 275 miles and popped second chain on after a few minutes of cleaning cassette/derailleurs/cranks. I am officially a convert.
yeah, tbh a 2 QT is probably better than a larger one because you’ll have a deeper pool of melted wax when it all heats up, so it’s easier to make every your chain is completely submerged.
yeah for sure, in hindsight I probably should’ve gotten a pre-prepped chain from silca or whoever else just so i didn’t have to mess with mineral spirits and denatured alcohol and the responsible disposal of them, but after that initial bit of cleaning it’s been super easy to keep everything waxed up.
i also got a bottle of silca’s super secret chain lube, so i can extend the time between actually removing the chain and submerging it into the melted wax by just dripping that stuff on to top off the lube, and that’s been working really well. I’d suggest doing that for a lot of people so you’re not tearing through quick links nearly as often
I added one of these in between the crock pot and power supply. Keeps the wax between 155f and 165f.
I bought a bottle as well. But haven’t yet opened it. The two chain method and using a 5x Use YBN quick link has been super easy. I also split time between my road and gravel bikes, so 300 miles on the road bike lasts 3-5 weeks. I am going to convert my gravel bike to wax as well.
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I just started waxing and coming-up on first time re-applying new wax to an already waxed chain. Do I wipe it down with a cleaner? And then just drop it in the wax to re-do? The Silca lubed chanin can go into the crockpot? Wouldn’t that foul the new wax simmering?
Second, the chain link cost is going to get out-of-hand. SRAM and Shimano should be selling these at cost to do what they can for safety in order to help people not want to re-use quick links.
If I think about it I wipe my chains down with naphtha on rag since it cuts through wax well but I usually just rewax them without any prep. Some guys clean them in boiling water or an ultra-sonic cleaner.
If you are running an 11 spd. (or less) drivetrain you can use the Connex Link and reuse it for almost unlimited times although I’m sure they wear out eventually. They haven’t released a 12 spd yet but are suppose to at some point. Plus, you can remove/install it in seconds without tools. I use them on my road bike exclusively.
On my mtb I’ve reused the 12 spd Shimano links at least 4 times. You can feel when they start to get easier to remove/install at which point I retire them. I’m not endorsing this though since it is not recommended, it’s just what I do. After that I’ve been using the YBN links which are suppose to be reusable 5 times. Hopefully, Connex will release the 12 spd Connex Link soon so I can use them on mtb too.
I’ve reused the SRAM road 12 spd links many times. As with the SRAM 11 spd link, the only issue I’ve seen is the snap you get when seating the link diminishes over time. When it gets too mushy feeling, I replace the link.
I’ve had three chains and links in rotation since Sept ‘20, and I just replaced a link a month or so ago. I don’t track which link goes with which chain, so have no idea the use distribution across the links. It’s probably reasonably even, but…?
-Tim
2 years old??? Man, I was on the fence but this convinced me I think!!
so i largely follow what silca recommends, which is wiping down the chain with a microfiber before reapplying any lube (either the super secret drip or hot melt). The wax does a pretty great job of shedding any dirt or grime while you’re pedaling along so any contamination doesn’t really penetrate down into the chain compared to an oil based lube, and wiping it down with a microfiber wipes off the majority of the contaminants on the outside.
fwiw i’m using SRAM and Shimano 11 speed chains with the reusable YBN quicklinks and each quicklink can be used 5 times before it’s shot. So between the drip lube to extend the life of the hot melt and the reusable nature of the YBN links, you get quite a bit of life out of each quicklink.
I’m not super precious about everything though. I’ll reapply the super secret drip like 3-5 times before redoing a hot melt so I’m not fouling the hot melt wax all that often. This wax stuff is so much better than any oil based drip lube that as long as you’re not running a dry chain and reapplying often enough, you’re going to have a chain that lasts insanely long and runs incredibly efficient.
zero friction cycling was showing some insane chain life benefits to waxing fwiw. I can’t remember the numbers off hand, but i think some chains were showing like 40-50k kilometers before hitting the wear limit.
Still learning so bear with me…it seems that wet rides/water will shorten the lifespan of the wax. How to people keep the rest of their bikes clean? I’d like to to wash/hose down my bike a few times per month and don’t want to prematurely wear the wax. Should I remove the waxed chain for a good bike wash?
If I am doing a real through cleaning, I just take the chain off
If I am just rinsing off light dirt and sport drink then I will just try to not spray the chain directly
tbh i think having a waxed chain makes washing your bike even faster because you don’t have to do the whole elaborate full degrease then remove the film the degreaser leaves and then wash/dry/relube the chain dance. you can just wash your bike normally, treat your chain like the rest of your bike, and then if you’re feeling a little lazy (like me!) you can just reapply some wax based drip lube and be up and running again
Not sure how dirty your bike gets but I use baby wipes to clean up my bike and it works like a charm!
In one of the Silca videos they say that the reason they recommend a rewax after a rainy ride is because the combination of water and friction causes the wax coating to oxidize. It’s not just the fact that it’s getting wet. So I think some stray water from washing the bike isn’t something to worry about.