I recently switched to wax and am very happy. I had been thoroughly cleaning with solvents and then using squirt, but now I’m doing the full silca treatment.
Last Sunday I did an incredibly dusty cross race. There were five inches of dust in places around the course, and it was windy so it was really blowing around. After the race I was covered, along with my bike and car from just sitting near the course. I know that waxed chains are supposed to stay clean, but it has to be pretty dusty.
How can I care for it without rewaxing? In the old days I would fill my park chain scrubber with water (or just use damp towel if it wasn’t too bad), wipe off the chain, thoroughly dry it, and reapply squirt. But I don’t want to scrub the wax off.
I would clean it off good, maybe even spray it with the hose when I clean my bike off, but absolutely dry it off immediately so it doesn’t flash rust.
Then I’d take it off and re-wax it. I have 3 chains in rotation. Even with just one, once you pull the pot out, turn it on, let it warm up, then wax and re-install, you’re looking about maybe 5-10 minutes of actual time. Adding additional chains maybe takes 1-2 minutes per chain, aside from waiting while it’s in the pot of wax.
In normal conditions, you can always add some Silca drip lube wax to extend the life a bit, but I wouldn’t do that when the chain is filthy and really needs a good clean off/wipe down.
Spray it off with a hose when washing your bike. I then put it in a plastic container (like Tupperware) and pour boiling water from my kettle on it. Swish it around and take it out. Wipe and hang in sun to dry. Apply drip wax and good to go. I have 3 chains in rotation. In this case I would have installed and fresh waxed chain and put the clean take off in a bag. Hot waxed it when I had 2 take offs.
Days like that are a single day chain for me. I’ll wipe it off and rewax it before running it again. Same deal if it’s a super muddy or rainy day.
I’ve got at least 3-4 chains for each bike/chainring combo, so it’s always easy to swap to a fresh chain and then I wax all my chains every 3-4 weeks when I’m down to my last chain. It does require some $ spent up front for multiple chains, but ultimately doesn’t cost more because each chain last 3-4x longer than it would if it were a single chain that I’m constantly rewaxing. And it saves a bunch of time when you aren’t waxing chains every week (or whatever the interval is).
This is great, thank you all. What I am hearing is that if you really need to clean the chain off, then it needs to be relaxed. I waxed three new chains last week so I’m down for swapping.
One question: quick links. I’m using sram 12 speed and technically the links are single use. How many reconnections are you all doing before replacing? I think these links are $6 each now, so I definitely don’t want to use a new one for every cross race
I reuse them as long as they still have a decent snap when putting them on with the pliers. Certainly over 10 uses on some of them, I seldom replace before the chain is worn. It’s a risk, but I’m also not a real punchy/strong rider.
These posts are timely because I just put a freshly waxed (used) Shimano 11 speed chain back on my trainer bike. I’ve probably used that quick link 6 or 7 times and it snapped I’m all for reusing the links but it’s probably a good idea to keep a fresh one in your saddle bag just in case.
FWIW I use a Connex resusable QL on my bikes with waxed chains.
Like anything with waxed chains, initially it costs a bit but they work a treat, last a long LONG time and can be taken off and put back on tool free.
Where as I have a few chains I just bought one QL per bike so that helps save a bit.
Don’t they already? Which is to say I have 12s connex link, but it’s slightly too wide for the sram 12s road chains I have. I assume it’s a better fit for shimano (and connex chains, obviously).
Hmm. Seems like I am late to the party. Maybe I got an old version of zero friction’s guide, or maybe I chickened out with the “not officially” note. Can’t remember.
But you guys are running that without issues of extra wear then (?) That is great news. I love the connex link on my road bike. Not worries about wearing it out.
ps: just noticed it shows the “not officially” note for all shimano chains so that was not it. Now to find me one of those! Thanks folks!
I’m all for reusing the links but it’s probably a good idea to keep a fresh one in your saddle bag just in case.