Anti-squeak chain wax additive badly needed.
07-11-20, 12:30 AM
#51
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,446
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,102 Times
in
1,366 Posts
I like it. You could use a simpler arrangement of a vacuum sealer with the hot “wet” chain in the bag, or maybe rigging a brake bleeder to a more solid lid and gasket on the crock pot. But what does this do to the solvent ingredients in the lube? Maybe leave those out
07-11-20, 12:50 AM
#52
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,936
Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3942 Post(s)
Liked 7,284 Times
in
2,941 Posts
How about you do what you do, and we'll continue to do what we do. If you don't use wax on your chain, I'm afraid you've stumbled into the wrong thread. Try a different one.
Likes For tomato coupe:
07-11-20, 05:29 AM
#53
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 3,681
Bikes: Puch Marco Polo, Saint Tropez, Masi Gran Criterium
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1163 Post(s)
Liked 441 Times
in
314 Posts
I like it. You could use a simpler arrangement of a vacuum sealer with the hot “wet” chain in the bag, or maybe rigging a brake bleeder to a more solid lid and gasket on the crock pot. But what does this do to the solvent ingredients in the lube? Maybe leave those out
07-11-20, 06:03 AM
#54
Senior Member
This is interesting. I have also thought about such an apparatus. A way to get wax all the way into the rollers. I have a universal brake bleeder tool laying around, but come to think of it- it might not be very feasible because to get a good vacuum seal (at least with brake fluid) you would have to pull up some of the (hot) liquid wax into the pump itself which would solidify as it cooled, thus wrecking the internals of the brake bleeder pump I think. It might be worth fooling around with it anyway to see if the air could be purged from a collapsible silicon high heat zip-lock kitchen bag with a universal nozzle attached. I think the aquarium type pump on an inexpensive food sealer with silicon bags might work better. Somebody, maybe Silca or Molten Speed Wax are you listening?
What make you believe a simple dip doesnt achieve that to begin with?
Imo you issues are compounded by several factors. - A lube that is too brittle and flakes off, low affinity to metal leading to more flaking and too low viscosity, not allowing flaked or scraped off wax to replaced (it doesnt move around like Oil and grease does).
07-11-20, 06:40 AM
#55
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Siberia West .. aka Central Wisconsin... USA
Posts: 308
Bikes: 2000 Litespeed Appalachian, 1998 Litespeed BlueRidge.. 1977? Schwinn LeTour 12.2 'Rain Daze'
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 64 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times
in
14 Posts
07-11-20, 06:59 AM
#56
Senior Member
I believe that I've posted this before. If you're that serious about waxing, a specific wax blend might improve the results. One of the issues may be unreasonable expectations for wax life. With the liquid wax lube that I use, I'd rather be conservative and relube after 3 rides or 150 miles. Since it only takes a couple of minutes and requires no chain removal. Heavy weight gear lube improves lubricity, whether in hot wax or a liquid wax.
https://blendedwaxes.com/product/paraffin-wax/
https://blendedwaxes.com/product/paraffin-wax/
07-11-20, 08:55 AM
#57
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,984
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26382 Post(s)
Liked 10,364 Times
in
7,196 Posts
Likes For 3alarmer:
07-11-20, 08:58 AM
#58
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,984
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26382 Post(s)
Liked 10,364 Times
in
7,196 Posts
I have a natural balance that is often referenced as "special". 
07-11-20, 09:03 AM
#59
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,984
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26382 Post(s)
Liked 10,364 Times
in
7,196 Posts
In the history of this forum, there is no topic that has eaten up more bandwidth than the lubrication and life extension of what is, for many, a disposable bicycle part that can be obtained, (online and in a high quality version,) for 12 bucks. I
these threads. They make me feel very, very special.
07-11-20, 09:06 AM
#60
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,984
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26382 Post(s)
Liked 10,364 Times
in
7,196 Posts
07-11-20, 09:13 AM
#61
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Siberia West .. aka Central Wisconsin... USA
Posts: 308
Bikes: 2000 Litespeed Appalachian, 1998 Litespeed BlueRidge.. 1977? Schwinn LeTour 12.2 'Rain Daze'
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 64 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times
in
14 Posts
You mean.. same as a flock of monks clustered in a monastery.. doing 'all' at all hours.
Bet.. a form of 'waxing'.
Bet.. a form of 'waxing'.
07-11-20, 10:09 AM
#62
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,090
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1034 Post(s)
Liked 1,289 Times
in
743 Posts
New to the internet and opposing ideas in a thread? Come on, your original reply to him was uncalled for. I have always respected your comments and posts, but you were out of line.
Likes For phughes:
07-11-20, 10:15 AM
#63
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,090
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1034 Post(s)
Liked 1,289 Times
in
743 Posts
Just like the fact that I do not at the moment wax my chains, but I read these threads to learn, because maybe one day I will want to do so.
Likes For phughes:
07-11-20, 10:21 AM
#64
I'm the anecdote.
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: S.E. Texas
Posts: 1,822
Bikes: '12 Schwinn, '13 Norco
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1110 Post(s)
Liked 1,176 Times
in
795 Posts
As a longtime motorcyclist with cans of that stuff in my garage, I would not, and do not use it on my bicycles. It works great on a motorcycle where the chain is being driven at high speed, and gets hotter, but on a bike, no. What it is great at on the bicycle, is drying to a nice sticky substance that allows dirt to be trapped on the chain. It is annoying to clean off. Use a bicycle lube, or plain oil if you want an oil based chain lube. For waxing, you may need to use some sort of oil based additive to your wax.
Edit to add: There I go replying to the middle of a thread again before seeing that the course has changed. I gotta quit using this broken compass.
Last edited by FiftySix; 07-11-20 at 10:34 AM.
Likes For FiftySix:
07-11-20, 11:06 AM
#65
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,984
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26382 Post(s)
Liked 10,364 Times
in
7,196 Posts
07-11-20, 11:29 AM
#66
Occam's Rotor
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times
in
1,164 Posts
07-11-20, 11:38 AM
#67
Generally bewildered
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Eastern PA, USA
Posts: 3,037
Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane 6.9, 1999 LeMond Zurich, 1978 Schwinn Superior
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1152 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
251 Posts
Well, that brings up a point. When you wrap your handlebars, make sure that EVERY turn is tight. Don't allow any turns where no turns of the tape are not taut against the bar. I think that this definitive word should obviate the need for futher, less informed posts on my subject.
07-11-20, 11:45 AM
#69
Generally bewildered
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Eastern PA, USA
Posts: 3,037
Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane 6.9, 1999 LeMond Zurich, 1978 Schwinn Superior
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1152 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
251 Posts
I decided to try this lube last year on our tandem and really liked the smooth feel of the drivetrain during at least the first few miles after application. It’s very clean and it claims to be moisture resistant. I decided this would be my new go to lube, switching from Prolink which I’ve used for many years. Then we went on a multi-day tour where we experienced a couple of rain showers. The drivetrain remained silent and felt good, so I didn’t re-lube or inspect the chain until we returned home. When I went to re-lube, I realized that the chain had some surface rust stains. I decided to measure and realized that I was already at 0.5% stretch with just 1400 miles on the chain. (Other than the 300-400 mile tour, I had been re-lubing with Chainsaver every 100-200 miles) With Prolink my tandem chains go 3500 miles before getting to that point. Now I’m back to Prolink as my chain lube, but wondering if Chainsaver as the lube with then a wipe down of Prolink or Boeshield for corrosion resistance might give me the best of both worlds: super smooth running without the risk of rust or premature wear? I suppose that all wax based lubes are only appropriate for reliably dry conditions.
I don't think that waxes are only for dry conditions, though, Wax and oil are both hydrophilic. It's possible that the lubricant does emulsify with road salt, detergent from washing the bike, etc. Would probably be easier to remove oil that way than wax.
I'm gonna measure my chain now.
07-11-20, 12:07 PM
#70
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,984
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26382 Post(s)
Liked 10,364 Times
in
7,196 Posts
07-11-20, 12:14 PM
#71
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,936
Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3942 Post(s)
Liked 7,284 Times
in
2,941 Posts
07-15-20, 02:25 PM
#72
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 3,681
Bikes: Puch Marco Polo, Saint Tropez, Masi Gran Criterium
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1163 Post(s)
Liked 441 Times
in
314 Posts
Here is the wax brick as it looks after drying in a silicon bread mold:
It is darker on the bottom side which is facing up. I’m not sure if some of the dark material is comprised of dirt or if the dark color is just the PTFE and Molybdenum additive in the Molten Speed Wax. I use the rectangular scraper to scrape off a layer or 2 of the darkest wax into the trash thing that I saw some metallic sediment in there.
It is darker on the bottom side which is facing up. I’m not sure if some of the dark material is comprised of dirt or if the dark color is just the PTFE and Molybdenum additive in the Molten Speed Wax. I use the rectangular scraper to scrape off a layer or 2 of the darkest wax into the trash thing that I saw some metallic sediment in there.
Likes For masi61:
