Much like gravel, cargo bib shorts, and reaction videos on YouTube, chain waxing has become a bit of a trendy thing of late. I’m not talking about a wax lube, but proper hot melt waxing at home. It’s certainly gaining in popularity. So far, I’ve not ventured down that path.
I’ve been using Finish Line Ceramic Wax dry lube for a number of years now. I had noticed that even though it feels smooth and efficient (hard to say for sure), it needs to be reapplied often. My chain is usually devoid of any visible/tangible lube after only 100km. Recently, I stumbled across this test of the Finish Line lube that concluded it’s one of the worst for chain wear and longevity!
According to the cool kids, hot waxing your chain not only saves you a couple of watts, but also results in a cleaner, longer lasting drivechain. If that’s not reason enough, it’s also arguably cheaper and more environmentally friendly than using “big brand” chemical chain lubes. True? False? I do not know for sure.
Either way, down the chain waxing rabbit hole I’m about to go.
I’ve gathered most of the gear I need to get started. A cheap 1.5L slow cooker (crockpot), a couple of new chains, wax, various cleaners, etc. Once I have some spare time to set it all up, I’ll dive right in. Wish me luck. I welcome any advice from the seasoned chain waxers out there!
Two Wheels with TC 
I’ve never done the full hot wax immersion thing. I use Squirt drip on wax for convenience and have had great results with longevity of chains. I reapply every 200 km or so after a ride.
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I tried it once but it was a lot of faff and didn’t give me the result I expected. There’s probably a learning curve but I didn’t have the patience to stick it out!
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I’ll see how I get on. If it’s super annoying I’ll chuck it in for sure!
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I guess I was pre-trendy. I hot-waxed my chains in the ’70s when you could use a chain tool to push a rivet out and back in with no problem. Nowadays (with narrower chains and tighter tolerances) when chain makers want you to use a proprietary connecting link or (throw away and) replace a generic connecting link every time you take a chain apart, it seems like too much of a pain in the ass and expense. I use a wax lube (White Lightning Clean Ride). It doesn’t like cold or wet weather (but I use a belt drive bike in the winter). When it’s cold the wax tends to clump so it requires frequent shaking to apply (or do it inside with both lube and chain warm) and it washes off in the rain. I’d be happy to find a better wax lube without resorting to taking my chain off, thoroughly cleaning and drying it, then soaking it in hot wax.
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I still use a chain tool to push the pin out and in when installing chains rather than a quick link, a little bit old school. Haha! It seems fine on 11-speed chains as long as they’re not hollow pin. I guess I’ll be switching to a reusable quick link for waxing.
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Enjoy the faff. I’ve considered it but can’t be arsed 😁 Will be interested to see what results you get
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I obviously have way too much spare time… 😂
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Funnily enough I’m thinking of doing the same for my TT bike, although I don’t know if I have the time to build the waxing setup and get through the process, but I already have a wax cooker in my online basket…good luck!
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I would have started with my TT bike also, but it’s got a 12-speed drivetrain and I couldn’t find a reusable 12-speed quick link in stock (first world problems).
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I started using a hot wax in a body waxing pot and ultrasonic cleaner for cleaning first. Seems to last a few weeks for me. No rain and little grit to mess things up. Shifts better then. the drip wax stuff I used to use. And both are cleaner than the old chin lubes I used.
Way back in the day I waxed my chains with a coffee can on a hot plate using plain old canning wax. Didn’t last long, but shifted on those old friction. shift Campy mechs and 8-speed freewheels just fine. Three chains, a dozen freewheels and I had enough stuff to always have good shifting and quiet running gear.
These days I’m lazy and have less space to hang chains, wheels and gear, so one chain. at a time does the job.
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Interesting! Thanks. 🙂
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I’ve got a couple of friends who swear up and down that it’s the best thing ever… I suppose I should jump on the bandwagon, but I’m a little too lazy to mess with it!
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It does take a lot more time than regular chain lubing, especially if you maintain a large fleet!
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