How does it compare to Silca Super Secret if you’ve used both?
I have not used both.
I will say that my initial application of smooth is an “immersion” like fashion.
After the chain is squeaky clean, it gets an alcohol rinse, I dry it, and then put a drop of Smoove on each roller. Then, it goes into a plastic zip lock and it gets dipped in a warm water bath sous-vide style. I’ll do this a few times over a couple of days working the links.
I get fantastic penetration - as good as hot dip. My chains have lasted over 10k miles with no wear measuring on a Park chain checker.
I developed this method based on comments in the Zero Friction reports on drip on waxes. Super Secret though might be a bit expensive for this method. I used a good amount of Smoove for the initial application.
(To clean, I follow Smoove’s instructions of cleaning the chain with biodegradeable degreaser and then reapplying a drop to each link. Works really well. The chain never comes off the bike again until I replace the chain.)
Same results on my Silca hot waxed chains for mtb -about 50-60 miles they sound “dry” but I usually keep riding them to 100 miles. The chains still feel like there is wax inside the rollers, and the plates seem slightly stiff yet. Also, I still use the ole mineral spirits and denatured alcohol method on new chains. I usually never re-strip a waxed chain, just if it take up a lot of sand and gets crunchy. I would say the wear on a dry chain is probably pretty nonexistent, as long as it’s quiet.
I know there’s a few threads on this but…
Do folks have any good solutions for wet or wet-ish mtb rides and a waxed chain? I haven’t found that the silca hot wax lasts. I had a well-lubricated chain with super secret and yesterday when I was out I got rained on for all of 5 minutes and suddenly my chain was making noise. Never mind instances where I might have to do a shallow creek crossing in a race…
I have used squirt in the past and found that it had good staying power but I know it doesn’t have the best results from ZFC. I also think that squirt needs to be stripped before immersion waxing again?
Are you using the Silca Endurance chip? That made a significant difference on my road bike, although I haven’t tried in on my mtb, yet.
I’ve since read on ZFC that wax on shimano seems to wear off faster than sram. So perhaps that is part of the problem…