timothybiklomet

There's a ton of companies (like wattshop, zerofriction cycling) that sell waxed chains but its all way too expensive to ship to the states. Are there any states companies that sell waxed chains? Bonus if you can get them rewaxed.

canklecat

Roll yer own. It's not expensive or difficult.

Get your favorite chain (I use KMC, various types), and use a solvent to remove as much of the original oil as possible. Please don't use gasoline.

I use a Little Dipper crock pot. It's mostly for stuff like fondue. I melt 3 Gulf wax bars in it.

Hook something through the chain ends to make it easier to fish out later. Picture wire twisted into loops, heavy duty paper clips, etc., will do.

I carefully put the chain in the melted paraffin and let it soak for a few hours. It'll bubble and foam a little at first as trapped air is forced out and the paraffin seeps in. I give it plenty of time to be sure it gets into the bearing surfaces.

Pull it out carefully and let it drip back into the crock pot. I use surgical towel clamps, heavy duty paper clips or bulldog clamps, hooks, etc., to fish out and hang the hot chain.

When it's cool enough to handle I'll put it on the bike and spin it for awhile, or take a quick ride. Usually I rotate two identical chains once a month. The second freshly waxed chain goes into a ziplock bag until rotation time.

Sounds complicated but it's really easy. Less messy than wet lubes. I still use a wet lube, Park CL-1, on my errand/commute bike because I sometimes ride in rain. Wax isn't great for wet weather -- a single heavy rain can end in chain noise.

But for dry weather, especially on gritty rural roads and gravel, wax is hard to beat. It keeps the drivetrain clean. My bikes are inside my apartment and I have three cats. So clean bikes mean fewer greasy chain/chainring tattoos on my legs or the cats.

canklecat

Also, Wend Wax-Off roll-ons are supposedly easy to use. Check their website and Amazon.

timothybiklomet

Yeah I waxed my own chain for a few years but it kinda got old. I've also used Wend but it doesn't really work like a well-waxed chain. I just found alkanechains.com, think I might try sending my chain to them. It looks like you can send up to 5 for $20 but im not really sure.

Cyclist0108

I'm in the wrong business.

timothybiklomet

Sorry?

ThermionicScott 

I know, right? I don't ordinarily wax chains, but I could be talked into it for the right price.

Cyclist0108

$20 to stick a couple of chains in some melted wax?

I do, however, appreciate the long chain alkane name.

I have some local arsewipe with a PhD in Chemistry from Berkeley wax all of my chains, for free.

AnkleWork

Ain't we all!
At $28 per batch , I could become an activist.

Last ride 76 

+1

Last ride 76 

Welcome, and don't take it personally. This is a bunch of opinionated, cheap, DIY types...You did say you used to do it yourself, so there is that. You may spend your money any way you want.
Cheers

Secret Squirrel

I wax my chain in a crock pot, then apply squirt wax lube as maintenance. Works well.

phughes

I can't believe this is serious. Personally, I think it is easier to either wax your own chain, or lube it, rather than take the time to remove the chain, and ship it to someone else, or are you pulling our chain?

fietsbob

Do you have Minions to do this for you?