Silca drip lube application - such tiny drops
Saw this video and was surprised at how tiny the drops she’s applying are. Not that I’m squeezing some giant blob on there but this video shows pretty small drops
I’ve definitely been doing it wrong
I feel like we all have. Those were some tiny drops. But I will try that amount and see how it works
This is how much I’ve used since I switched to Smoove and the like a few years ago. Never had any issues with the small drops being plenty. Do it and save some cash!
Curious if anyone here is using immersion wax on their mtb… I have found that it is just not lasting? This is across a couple of different chains/bikes. The first time I did it I didn’t have the chain stripped well enough but on subsequent chains and for the original chain (second attempt) I used the silca chain stripper. Like it is only lasting one or two rides for me in this mostly dry but a little damp spring weather. Drip on wax seems to do a better job but I can’t imagine getting 200 miles. Probably just one ride.
I’m also not getting as much reuse out of the chain stripper as they claim and when I filter with a coffee filter all of the oil as still filters through - I can see it settle separately in the jar I store it in.
One thing I might be doing wrong is not letting the chain dry thoroughly enough after the stripper/water rinse? Another thing is maybe my wax got contaminated by the inadequately stripped chains originally? Although they were fairly well stripped, not like I put a grease covered chain in there.
Same experience here and it’s driving me nuts. I keep thinking I must not be cleaning the chain enough but the thing is bone dry and clean enough to eat off.
Interesting. I figure the lube needs to wet beneath the roller and into the gap between the inner plates under the roller to get to the pin and bushing area where the chain lengthening wear occurs. That seems too little to do that effectively. Of course with what it costs, I can understand be parsimonious.
It does seem like you’d need more. It’s not cheap but I just buy it when it’s on sale and I mostly ride on weekends and rotate between MTB, gravel, and road so I’m just not needing to lube a bike that often
I use way more than that, mainly because it is hard to control as quite a thin liquid… I will try with nozzle partially closed. I have never heard about wanting to coat the cassette before.
Yeah. I’m sure about coating the cassette
Ok, I have re-watched a silca you tube video from 2024 which is called “stop wasting your chain lube”. That is one drop per link, plus also mentions coating the cassette (as a bi-product)
The thing about coating the cassette makes me wonder… if you just do an immersion wax and use a new or very clean cassette, should you brush some wax on it?!
I have had better luck with drip wax over immersion. I may just start doing the immersion rarely and primarily use drip wax.
Today’s MTB ride was good with the drip wax and will be good for at least one more dry ride.
Their chain strip packaging also claims that you can just drop it on the chain while on the bike and then use drip wax. Which is a way less involved cleaning method than I’ve been using. So idk what gives.
This sounds like recipe for a big mess . Slop on the cassette , derailer and wheel.
I use more than a drop on my chain rollers. If you have a pair of latex gloves you can catch the excess with your fingers as it runs off underneath the chain. Use that to massage it in with a twisting motion to get it in where it’s needed.
Plus one to buying wax on sale. I still have a new bag of melt and 2 bottles of drip from 2 years ago.
Remember : Claims can be different than in the field usage .
Yep, pretty much everyone’s experience.
Carry a bottle of drip wax to apply mid-ride if you decide to stick with it.
I still do FWIW, just for the cleanliness aspect. I use Molten Speed Wax for immersion because it’s 1/3 the price for the same performance, and touch up with what’s left of the Silca drip bottle.
I love Smoove but the tip clogging all the time on the bottle is super annoying. At least Smoove is cheap and a bottle lasts a long time.
Definitely! I now rubber band a paper clip to the bottle.
If you’re having to catch excess and rub it back on the chain, you’re using way too much. Honestly, a drop per roller is plenty. As you spin the chain after applying, it fills in the entire space easily. Try it and have a look after a few full revolutions.
Watching that video it makes sense using a small drop but you just have to apply it at the correct location as he demonstrates
I’m American = more is better
