Waxing Chain Just Trend or usefull?
#351
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decided to take the wax plunge..Amazon Silca Stripper $31 (they had a $5 instant coupon), Jenson USA Silca secret blend hot wax $32 (instant pop up 20% coupon) and SIlca super secret drip wax $25 so $88 total. I use shimano 11 speed chains so they are $42 and got around 1800 miles on my last one so if I can get a full season (7000-8000 miles) out of one chain I will be money ahead...or I wasted a bunch of money
Worst case scenario - you get all the above, but you don't like it, so you switch back to oil. You spent the price of dinner for two with one drink, and now you know about waxing from experience.
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Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
#352
Where can I get a dinner for two for $1.50?
#354
That is always an option, but a $1.50 block of paraffin can be used for > 100 applications, easily, and most likely works just as well, if not better.
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#356
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here is $57 or the $88 the other $31 is being held up by Amazon. They keep saying items has been picked up and shipped and then a few hours later it says item delayed by shipper.....it was supposed to be here Saturday...I finally was able to contact Amazon and they said the shipping company kept screwing up the shipment. I told them Amazon was the listed shipping company and they said yup we keep screwing it up but ensured me they would get it straightened out. I figured the bottle probably broke and the whole warehouse in Boise ID where it was shipped from has been evacuated . Not going to lie really does not feel like $32 worth of wax....
#357
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It's $32 worth of r&d to develop the best possible wax for the application. FWIW, it isn't simply wax, it is lubricant suspended in wax. If just any old wax would do, we'd all be rubbing old candles on our chains instead.
At any rate, the long term value of the product has been discussed ad nauseum.
At any rate, the long term value of the product has been discussed ad nauseum.
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Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
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#359
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It's $32 worth of r&d to develop the best possible wax for the application. FWIW, it isn't simply wax, it is lubricant suspended in wax. If just any old wax would do, we'd all be rubbing old candles on our chains instead.
At any rate, the long term value of the product has been discussed ad nauseum.
At any rate, the long term value of the product has been discussed ad nauseum.
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#360
I saw that. It was basically a regurgitation of the same tests that have been on the internet for ages. I was in an airport browsing a store when I picked up the Bicycling issue with that article in it. When I saw the article I simply shook my head, put the magazine down, and walked out of the store. So many more worthwhile things they could write about instead of rehashing the same ridiculous topic, one that can be answered like this; Use some sort of lube, whichever lube you want. The end.
#361
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I saw that. It was basically a regurgitation of the same tests that have been on the internet for ages. I was in an airport browsing a store when I picked up the Bicycling issue with that article in it. When I saw the article I simply shook my head, put the magazine down, and walked out of the store. So many more worthwhile things they could write about instead of rehashing the same ridiculous topic, one that can be answered like this; Use some sort of lube, whichever lube you want. The end.
#362
There are only so many things a bicycle magazine that caters to the audience that Bicycling can write about...most of them are equally ridiculous. be 100% honest did you really shake your head just because of the wax article or did the $10 price make you shake your head . I looked at it at the grocery store and thought hmmm this magazine for $10 or a six pack of Shiner Bock for only a dollar more..Shiner Bock won out..
#363
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#365
Senior Member
Wow, I had no idea. When I used decades ago to use wax we all just used blocks of paraffin wax, the stuff they sell for sealing canning jars. I think it is maybe $4-6 a pound at the local grocery or craft store.
#366
Just Pedaling
I have been using scented/unscented candles donated to me by the neighbor ladies for several years now with good results. See no point in changing up. I wax biweekly and have several chains in rotation for each bike averaging around 300 to 400 miles depending on the weather when riding. If it's wet I move up the rotation frequency. Only chain I've had a problem with since starting this routine was a Chinese counterfeit that stretched out within 2000 miles while the others in rotation hadn't shown any signs of wear. This is my personal experience, your's may differ. I only use the candles because it makes the neighbor ladies feel like their contributing to the cause (don't ask what cause)
#367
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Like everything else, our understanding and our technology have advanced in the past several decades.
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Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
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#368
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I did some research 18 months back and went for wax (with no Stearin - aka canning wax) + PTFE powder
.
Mixed 10:1 as in this Oz Cycle video
Just mixed a fresh batch so the 1kg wax is going to last 6 years, not exactly expensive.
Not sure the PTFE is really required.
.
£8.95 1kg wax https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/..._title_o00_s00
£14 50g PTFE powder https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hagen-Autom...989822-0606262
.£14 50g PTFE powder https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hagen-Autom...989822-0606262
Mixed 10:1 as in this Oz Cycle video
Not sure the PTFE is really required.
#369
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#371
Senior Member
There's an immense satisfaction of cleaning chains in an ultrasonic cleaner and seeing all the grime come off. Plus the enjoyment of immersing a chain into melted hot wax, pulling it out and have it cool down within its harden waxed shell. Then when you go on a ride, your cassette and chainring look spotless! Unlike tubeless or hydraulic disc brakes, it's one of those things you can do to any vintage bike and it will make your bike maintenance that much better. I see it as a total win especially if you own multiple bikes. I'm definitely a convert now!
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#375
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