That chain is having more selfcare time than me.

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

😂

I was an all year commuter rider for 7 years straight, and I tried wax for 2 of these years. My experience is it is very nice the first day, then you quickly hear and feel the difference on day 2. The other thing is it washed right off in wet conditions. I hear all the time that the most important part is what is inside the links, and I will agree to that to some extent, but... Once a chain has very little lubricant on the outside you will definitely feel worse gear changes as well as the noise will increase because of it. This is why I have shied away from wax now when I've gotten a trail bike, because I now clean my bike thoroughly after every single ride, and the drivetrain definitely is impacted by it. I just don't want to go through all the hassle of waxing and all of that and having to redo it after that short amount of time. PS: It is a myth that the chain/drivetrain does not get dirty by the way. It is slightly better, but some people start believing this to be magic, which of course is a load of snakeoil propaganda.

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing your experience! I’ve found the prep of the waxing to be pretty important for how long it lasts on the chain. My conditions are usually dry/good on road in summer, and I’ve found the wax doesn’t get dirty, and lasts quite well. For rain/bad weather, I’d expect the wax to stick better then oil, since it’s in solid form, but haven’t tested as much myself. Bad weather may require more frequent use of drip wax top up or rewax for sure though

@sirclemeni1

Жыл бұрын

i totally agree. my roadbike was overdue of rewaxing the chain and i took it for a ride in wet conditions. at home i washed the dirt of my bike with a hose and let it somewhat dry for 30 mins outside because i didnt want to get a dripping wet bike inside my house. and because i didnt dry the chain right away it got rusted up on the outside. there are definitely more benefits of a waxed chain in regard of performance, cleaning and overall maintenance (degreasing the drivetrain is a pain in the ass) but there are also different challenges compared to the lubed chain. especially for my enduro i prefer lube over wax because i have to wash it basically everytime i use it. but for road bikes wax is in my opinion more superior than lube, because i mostly ride indoors when its pissing outside(thanks to the rise of smart trainers)

@The-GreenHornet

Жыл бұрын

Agreed with everything you said. Especially the snake oil propaganda regarding waxing the chain.

@markmurphy854

Жыл бұрын

I tried paraffin almost 50 years ago... once. The chain was cleaned extremely well. I likely used gasoline to strip it. That's just what we did back then. The chain was great the first day but by the end of the week it was noisy, didn't shift as well still got pretty dirty in that short amount of time. I'm surprised the paraffin approach is being used again.

@sirclemeni1

Жыл бұрын

@@markmurphy854 might be because you used gasoline to degrease. gasoline stil has plenty of residual oil in it, having the wax not adhere on the chain.

My 15 year old chain looks rusty brown but still serves me well

@onelastlap9302

4 ай бұрын

Nice 👍

Thanks for sharing, I may have to try this sometime. I switched from wet lube to dry lube and really liked that switch.😀

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed!

Minimum cost, maximum benefit for me: After upgrading my road bike to 11 from 9 speed, I decided to wax the new chain. I used solvents I already had: Mineral spirits (paint thinner) to degrease new chain, acetone to clean off mineral spirits. For the wax- an Ikea candle (non colored paraffin based) melted in a tin can partially immersed in water (double boiler style) in Instant pot "Warm" setting at "low"(max temp=90-95°C). For re-wax, I used a small ultrasound I already had, filling with hot water at the start. Clouds of dirt amazingly dispersed from the chain when it first turned on, leaving a bright clean chain. Whether using ultrasound or simple hot water rinse, minimum water temperature=57°C or 135°F Then, after letting hot chain air dry a few minutes, I re-waxed the chain by immersing it in the re-heated candle wax. My expenses to convert to wax: $5.66 for chain link removing pliers, $1.00 for extra removable link when I'll need it (original still snaps in firmly- use chain link pliers or simply put body weight on pedal with rear wheel on ground - you'll hear a snap). I added PTFE powder ($3.61 for 50 gm bag) to my wax dip - up to 10% concentration. I got excellent results- a smooth, quiet drive train that stays clean. I also barely have to spend much time cleaning or washing the bike like before. From what I see, either spend time with chain oiling scenario with more subsequent cleaning and degreasing with brushes, solvents, soaps, +/- chain cleaner gizmos to get rid of the accumulated grease and grit from between the rear gear cluster teeth, chainring, chain, rollers, front and rear derailleurs, rear fork, spokes, hands, and sometimes your clothes, or else spend the time to unclip and rinse the chain with hot water, immerse it into wax and in the end have a bike that's grease free and much easier to clean with minimal cost. Like many others have already noted and multiple tests have found, paraffin also gives the most efficient drive train with the least wear. After the initial learning curve, converting to wax was well worth it for me.

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for such a detailed comment! And appreciate you sharing your method!

@Leo-gt1bx

11 ай бұрын

Agreed I'm a 10 year veteran at it and would never go back.

@DR_1_1

3 ай бұрын

Of course if you already have the ultrason cleaner and boiler, it helps a lot... It cost me 17 € already just for a Connex quick link! Then I can't even find a reliable and cheap provider for pure paraffin wax and PTFE (that might be banned around here). This is something you need to do on a very regular basis, messing around in the kitchen won't do it for me.

dang, people here in these comments really take care of their bikes. I just came to accept having to by a new drivetrain once a year

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

It’s been some good commenters! Most people don’t do much maintenance to their bike, so you’re definitely not alone!

@manchesterexplorer8519

Жыл бұрын

Same here , I just lightly scrub my chain and lube the damn thing and when I need a new one I just pay the $30 about once a year as it's not worth the hassle .

@GPTechno

Жыл бұрын

That's the reason for the maintenance, it doesn't matter what quality the drive chain is, if it's maintained properly then you are boy d to save money

@chefaero

Жыл бұрын

same lol

@tmayberry7559

Жыл бұрын

I've been using a none specific wax not meant for bicycle chains I use it on all of my bikes. I get roughly 300 miles between each application. Since doing this method I have a bike that is approaching 4000 miles with no skipping on the cassette

Nice video - thank you. I've been doing this for a few years now, and even in a climate like Hamburg (Germany), I get decent mileage (and it keeps everything nice and clean). Plus, if you have a few of them, you don't have to think about it much for the year. One tip I got from another channel, is to leave the chain in whilst the wax is cooling down and remove it just before it starts to solidify. This method does seem to give me more mileage.

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comment 😊. The best (albeit more labour intensive) way I’ve heard to maximize wax retention is to put it on wax paper, and then quickly put it in the freezer. The goal being to quickly cool the wax and keep as much on as possible. That was a tip direct from Silca

@AndrewDBrown2020

Жыл бұрын

@@onelastlap9302 So, take it out hot (after soaking), pop it on the wax paper and straight into the freezer (the missis is going to love that 😁)?

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

@@AndrewDBrown2020 that’s what they said! I haven’t tried myself, but it’s only because my freezer is full 😅

Another advantage, apart from the lowest friction possible and a clean and silent drivetrain, is reduced wear. I have more than 18.000 km on 4 chains that I use in rotation. So that is 4.500 km per chain. Chain wear is now at 0.25 %, which is excellent. Reduced chain wear also means reduced wear of cassette and chainring. I used Molten Speed Wax for the first application, and food-grade paraffin for re-waxing.

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing! I’ve also had much longer life of my chains as well 👍

@chucklayton5753

Жыл бұрын

I use SCC Tech lube on my road bike chains and my current chain has over 6200 kms with well under 0.5% wear. I find that most modern lubes work well as long as you are consistent with cleaning and relubrication.

@robertmcfadyen9156

Жыл бұрын

Steve from Ozcycle here on KZread has a make it yourself formulation which is ideal .

@meibing4912

10 ай бұрын

Nice. I use the commercial stuff every time as it costs next to nothing to re-apply as it contains bounding-additives that help making the wax stick to the rollers inside when wet. Think you can get at least 50 dips out of one bag of Silca.

@heksogen4788

20 күн бұрын

4500km is easily achieved using regular lube.

Nice quick walk thru. For those worried about rust: I wipe my chain down asap with methanol spirits after a wet ride - and if it had a lot of rain give it a squirt of Silca Super Secret Wax as a top-up. Works. People say the wax gets washed off - it does not from the inside of the rollers where it matters if you use Silca (and other wax products) that have additives that "stick" the wax to your surface. Outside of your chain needs no wax or oil to work.

@onelastlap9302

10 ай бұрын

Thanks for adding your technique, I’m going to make a video coming up on how to maintain the waxed chain👌

Nice video. I wax my bike chains as well, almost the same way as you. When it’s time for a re-waxing I’ll will boil the chain to melt off old wax. I don’t mind the process; I find it sort of relaxing.

@onelastlap9302

5 ай бұрын

That’s great! I often skip the boiling myself and just toss it back in the wax, but boiling is great to make sure the chain stays 👌

Thanks for breaking this down into an easy to watch and understand video!!

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful! 😊

2 years ago ALL bike reviwers on EVERY channel: You wax your chain? Man, you're crazy! Nowadays:

@onelastlap9302

24 күн бұрын

I’ve been doing for maybe 6 years now, really like how clean the drivetrain stays 👌

Awesome video. I just waxed my chains so tomorrow will be the maiden voyage where i break in the wax. I'm pretty excited. Have you noticed a difference? Sound or feel?

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Glad you liked it! I’ve found the biggest thing for me is how clean it is after a few hundred km. You should also notice sound/feel improvements, depends how in tune you are with your bike 👍

@nyreppin1

Жыл бұрын

Thank God for that. Drip lubes are a nightmare to work with after just a day of riding.

Well done on the video. 👍🏻💯

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! 😊🙏

I use gt85 (teflon) to clean my chain after a few rides and then re-apply wax lube. Everything still running smoothly after 5000+ km in all weather conditions.

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Cool, thanks for sharing!

@AR9ify

Жыл бұрын

I also cover all gear cables with Teflon lubricant before putting them in linked cables with a Teflon inner core and then seal off both ends with motorex grease. Works fantastic and what a smooth gear shifting glide.

Great video! After many rides or in the rain, what is your procedure to clean an already waxed chain? Do you use the Silca degreaser again? Or just melt the dirty chain?

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Once the chain is stripped, rewaxing is pretty easy. If you want to get old wax off, you can soak the chain in hot water, and melt it till clean. But you can also just toss it back in the wax right off the bike, and this can work too. For training chains, I just toss back in wax, for race chain, I do the extra cleaning first

@ekspatriat

Жыл бұрын

I thought this was about using wax because then chains don't get dirty!

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

@@ekspatriat some people may still want to clean the old wax off the chain before applying new wax, although its not necessary for most applications. It all just melts together if you rewax without cleaning off old chain first

@troyesch6203

10 ай бұрын

I wash my bike including the chain leaving it on. Then I remove and dry the chain and put it in the hot wax for 10 minutes. Then let it dry for 5 minutes and put it back on the bike. It doesn’t matter how dirty the bike got. The chain never got dirty. If I completely wore the wax off by riding in very wet conditions for a long period of time, then I’ll run it through boiling water before I put it in the wax.

After riding and before applying your drip wax or your new hot wax. Do you clean your chain? What do you do?

@onelastlap9302

5 ай бұрын

If I’m lazy, I’ll just put the chain back into the hot wax directly. If you want to do some more cleaning, you can boil in hot water as well, I show these options in one of my other videos 👍

i just converted to waxing on my commute bike. shifting was a bit tricky right after the chain got back on. let's see how it works after the easter holiday.

@onelastlap9302

4 ай бұрын

Nice! Ya it takes around 20-30 min to break in the chain and loosen up the wax 👍

Did you consciously skip cleaning your drive train? I read that any residual lube / grime from a regular drive train can reduce wax adhesion over its expected lifespan.

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Yes, important to clean that as well! I’ll make an extra note in the description to include that info, thanks 👍

I use a Teflon to squirt on my chain. I wonder how this compares to wax. They have o-ring sealed chains for motorcycles. I wonder if they have these for bicycles. Years ago I would look at my bike and wonder, how dirty does this thing have to get before it won't shift anymore.

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Haha, it pretty much has to get frozen by rust before it won’t work, I’ve seen some crazy dirty chains!

how often do you have to wax again the chain? thx for the video

@onelastlap9302

11 ай бұрын

I have some more details in description, but I like to say do drip wax at 500km/750km, then re hot wax after 1000. If just doing hot wax, redo every 500-600km

Excellent procedure, excellent video!

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! 😊

Is this a good option for a week-long bike packing trip? No need to oil the chain? Just wipe it down daily? Specifically, I'm hitting the monumental loop at the end of the month. New Mexico high desert.

@onelastlap9302

5 ай бұрын

The hot wax may last you the whole ride (depending on mileage/conditions), but I would probably do the wipe + add some drip wax on top just to keep the chain at its best. No further cleaning required other then wipe before adding drip wax

Hi.. How many Stripper baths did you need to prestine clean? Thanks

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

This was one bath in stripper (for new chain). Older (dirtier) ones may need more

hi, but any wax is OK or you have to use a specific one, the one from an old candle is fine

@onelastlap9302

3 ай бұрын

The better the wax, the better the longevity and performance. You can use canning wax which is pretty good, but candles tend to have scent and colour additives which aren’t helpful for biking 😅

I'm using an MTB for 23 years only 3 chains the last one was kmc the other two were just chains, the kmc never failed, it'll fail if you don't do the maintenance it requires, I did more than 2000 miles with the average speed of 7mph and the maximum speed of 45mph (on tarmacs of course no one can achieve 45mph in the woods) and it is still working like a charm, most of the time I use lower gears because I am a clawing uphills lover 😁😁😁

@onelastlap9302

28 күн бұрын

Nice you’re able to get a long life out of the chains!

Wd40 bicycle chain lube is the one, doesn't attract lots of dirt and suitable for all conditions, you'll never stop the shit sticking but a good lube helps and just clean your components before they get too bad 😅 a bit of love goes a long way

@onelastlap9302

11 ай бұрын

Their bike specific lube is a solid choice for oil lube, but does require regular cleaning to keep dirt buildup from happening still

@troyesch6203

10 ай бұрын

Yes you can stop shit from sticking to your chain by using immersive waxing. Nothing ever sticks to my chain or entire drivetrain. It is always spotless and fast

I only use and supply nickel or zinc plated chains in my work .

You can get reusable quick links for most chain sizes (7,8.....11 speed). I haven't found any for the 12 speed ones, yet.

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

The connex link should be available in 12 speed, it’s infinitely reusable for life of chain

@TrailsideMTB.

Жыл бұрын

@@onelastlap9302 I've never actually found a 12speed cone link in the wild.

@C00LM4N

Жыл бұрын

I didn't know 12sp are not reusable. Reused it with no problems.

Pinion Drive and Gates Carbon Belt… Silent and virtually maintenance free. 👍

@onelastlap9302

Күн бұрын

I’ve seen this for single speeds, but never for road bike

What do i do with the heated wax? How do i store it away?

@onelastlap9302

22 күн бұрын

The melted wax cools and becomes a solid, you can leave it in the pot, and then store the pot in a drawer or on a shelf

Great job on your vid thanks!! I use silca ss hot melt and top up with the ss drip on my chain eating middrive e-mtb.I hot melt wax the xtr 12 sp chain when new and again every 1k kms and top up with the ss drip every 100 kms(mostly dusty conditions and some mud )my xtr chain has 3100 kms on it and my park tool cc-4 chain checker says I still have a ways to go.I've never had chains last like this using muckoff wet and dry lubes!!!Cheers!!!

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! And great maintenance routine! Sounds like you will continue to get good life from your chains 😊

I'm a fan of chain waxing but I never ever use plastic additives [Teflon for example] in fact today I did my first ever 'from new' chain waxing.

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

That’s great! Ya, keeping it a bit more environmentally friendly is a great idea, especially with small bits of wax flaking off 👍

Is it possible to use candle wax?

@onelastlap9302

12 күн бұрын

It’s possible, but it’s better to use canning wax or pure paraffin wax (candle wax additives not helpful)

An easier way to just use a wax based lubricant for motorcycle chains. I use Maxima chain wax lubricant, which works very well to lubricate and keep the chain clean. It doesn't last as long as dipping your chain in wax but it is way less time-consuming, fairly affordable and has good results

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

I usually recommend using drip wax after doing a hot wax. Harder to strip the chain of oil with it on the bike, but can be done!

@troyesch6203

10 ай бұрын

This is totally different Han using maxima with very different results

Before watching, seeing the thumbnail I thought of paraffin wax. Does the composition of the blend have this in its constituents?

@onelastlap9302

11 ай бұрын

Yup! Paraffin wax is the main ingredient 👍

I have a question, you guys think it's worth it for fixed gear??

@onelastlap9302

4 ай бұрын

It would be cleaner for sure 👍

i cleaned up the chain drive train before applying. After rides, there will obviously be dirt on the chain right? I was worried since my chain is showing a signs of dirt residue when i wipe my finger on it. Is this normal or did i mess up somewhere?

@onelastlap9302

2 ай бұрын

Usually the wax will be pretty clean if you touch it after, occasionally you’ll get a bit of wax flakes (somewhat dirty looking) on your hand, but it shouldn’t be oily to touch or black and greasy. Did you strip it with the Silca stripping chemical? And was the chain new when you stripped it (or already used)?

@antoinetran900

2 ай бұрын

@@onelastlap9302 the chain was new and cleaned using the silca prep drip. Should I clean everything and try again? Chain residue is waxy but rubs off a bit black/dirty. Drive train is super quiet tho

@onelastlap9302

2 ай бұрын

@@antoinetran900 it could be a bit of the metal debris from the new chain, new chains have a break in period where they grind down high spots from manufacturing. So maybe you’re just seeing some wax + metal mixing and working its way out. I’d ride it for around 250-300km, and then clean and re hot wax 👍

I dont use wax or parafine,tried it but it seems that its pealing off faster so i hear crunching sound of metal on metal.I oil it and thats it.Chain also streaches so wax or any lubricant cant save it as time goes,chain just becomes a bit longer and eats the teeth.

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

The wax flaking off is actually shedding dirt with it, which is how it stays so clean. It’s been shown objectively that using hot wax method will exponentially increase drivetrain life, worth considering if you have high end parts

@dudeonbike800

Жыл бұрын

We've all been "oiling" chains for years. Some even use grease. Wet lubes for the rain, dry lubes for the dust. Doesn't matter, a chain gets doused with dirt & grime, especially off road. And that dirt & grit makes an excellent abrasive paste to wear your rollers, pins, cog & ring teeth. Doesn't matter how much you "degrease & re-oil" after rides, you're using abrasive paste every ride. Thus the wax approach. And don't misunderstand the term "wax," as pretty much all of them have additives to improve lubrication and reduce friction: PTFE, tungsten disulfide, molybdenum disulfide, among others. They all provide lubrication without producing the abrasive paste. And this accounts for the friction loss reduction and chain life increases found in recent tests.

@troyesch6203

10 ай бұрын

You need to start with a spotless drivetrain. You gotta spend a lot of time getting the old grease off. Use mineral spirits or acetone. It works great for me and maybe that’s because I started when my bike was new

How often do you have to reapply the wax? And how do you determine if it needs to be done.

@c4p3fi3rr

Жыл бұрын

I reapply wax every 300km or after a very wet ride, whichever comes first. Keep in mind that rewaxing doesn't require all the prep steps seen here, you just wipe the chain thoroughly with a clean microfiber cloth or compressed air, and off it goes in the pot. I use YBN quicklinks that are guaranteed to be reused at least 5 times. Shimano and SRAM recommend discarding quick links every time they are opened, but i reused them many times without any issues, and discard them when i feel they got too loose.

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

I put a note in the description with some extra info on this, hope that helps

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for adding! Appreciate the detailed comment!

@valentinod61

Жыл бұрын

@@c4p3fi3rr do you have to take your chain off to wash your bike?

@meneldil7604

Жыл бұрын

@@c4p3fi3rr i i use a wipperman conex like good for the like of the chain as it dont click in

how often you have to re-wax? I wonder if this does make sense to me as I do 300 miles on average weekly

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

I put some notes in description, in your case, it might be good to wax 2-3 chains at a time, and swap them out every week or two (so you don’t have to do as much waxing)

@piotrvv

Жыл бұрын

@@onelastlap9302 thanks for reply, waxing isnt a problem but breaking chain could be as after couple / few times weak link can wornout in my opinion

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

@@piotrvvtry using connex link, can be reused many times

How does parafin wax compare to chain oil in drivetrain efficiency. Time for some searching.,

@lordllewellynofdarkdelight2613

Жыл бұрын

Whoa I found this! "In terms of efficiency, they found even simple paraffin wax to be faster than the best bike lube under both ideal and harsh conditions. In terms of longevity, chain wax remained completely resistant to water, sand, and dirt and was even faster after riding in grime for an hour." Time to get some chain degreaser and misuse the crock pot!

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

There are some good objective tests out there, including data from Silca, friction facts (older data), and zero friction cycling (newest data). Plain paraffin already beats all drip lubes, Silca wax is even a step up from that with special additives for less friction. So from an efficiency perspective, yes, wax is the fastest and most efficient option

Doesn't wax melt when it heats up ? When you use your chain the wax will heat up and dirt will still stick to it.

@onelastlap9302

8 ай бұрын

The bike chain doesn’t really get that hot while riding, even after heavy efforts, it’s not that hot (it’s very efficient power transfer with little lost in heat). I find the wax prevents dirt/dust from sticking in my experience

To me this is complicating a simple 4 minute job by 100 times. I use cheap chain oil. Every 3 or 4 rides (admittedly on paved surfaces mainly but even some dusty off-road trails) I just wipe the chain with a rag and WD40 to remove the dirt, without even taking the chain off. Then I apply approximately 15 drops of oil on the clean chain while turning the crank. Job done, 4 minutes. My chains last 7,500 miles which is 12,500 km. Very smooth no noise.

@onelastlap9302

23 күн бұрын

That sounds like a good cleaning routine as well, many people don’t do much to take care of their chain, and the wax runs so much cleaner on the drivetrain. But sounds like you’ve got a good solution going for your riding!

@radiocontrolled9181

23 күн бұрын

@@onelastlap9302 Nice reply. Yep, after all to each their own and everyone chooses their own preferred method to maintain their bikes. It's all part of the fun. I actually enjoy doing maintenance on my bikes and replace/upgrade worn out parts. Nice fun riding to you bro cheers!! 😎✌🏼

Done this for the last 10 years. My own blend of paraffin, lithium marine grease and oil to get the melting point down and slightly softer. Just make sure you clean the chain well with a solvent like petrol or kerosene to get any grit and metal particles before re waxing. Fully submerge the chain in hot wax mix for 15-20min and cool. I do this every 6-8weeks and run the chain through a block of solid soft wax mix once a week. The chain last for years ~6,000km and gear and crank ring last much longer.

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing your process, really like those little tweaks and details you include in your maintenance!

is this good for harsh winter?

@onelastlap9302

4 ай бұрын

It can be good, but you’ll need to stay on top of adding drip lube to make sure it doesn’t rust. If the temp gets really cold, most lines stop working, wax included I believe

@papalegba6796

3 ай бұрын

@@onelastlap9302 impressive amount of misinformation you packed in one comment there 😂

From what I learned in mechanical engineering classes chains get lubricated internally before assembly. Solvents can get inside and wash that out and then its very very hard to get any lubricant back inside. I there any scientific resource on that matter? Its hard to find substantial evidence to that topic anyway where they do not only test under lab conditions.

@onelastlap9302

3 ай бұрын

Hey, thanks for the detailed comment. So the idea with wax is to rinse the existing factory oil out of the chain, and replace it with wax. The heat helps open up the links, and because the chain is fully submerged (and brought up to temp), the wax is able to work its way in. You can see this if you disassemble the chain after the wax has cooled (the wax is there internally)

@VelpkeTrials

3 ай бұрын

@@onelastlap9302 Thats nice! Thanks for your insight.

Traditional chain waxing is a great idea (way back then) but it's not for me because chain easily gets rusty if you dont maintain waxing..😂 this modern era their is so many chain lube available anywhere and to degrease and wash is so satisfying and much protection against rust

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

I leave a pretty good coat of wax on outer part of chain, haven’t had issues myself, but it doesn’t last forever

@Leo-gt1bx

11 ай бұрын

It depends entirely of the chain finish and quality. The cheaper 'grey' chains are the ones that rust not the better zinc finished chains. Never had a good chain rust.

How long does it last before you have to reapply?

@onelastlap9302

9 ай бұрын

I have a few more details in description, but roughly 500 km. At that point you can put drip wax lube, and again at 750, before re hot waxing at 1000km. Or just re hot wax after 500 if you wanted 👌

I guess that can be applied on a cassette and RD cogs too.

@onelastlap9302

3 ай бұрын

Not really necessary, since those parts don’t have articulated links. I prefer just to keep cogs and jockey wheels clean 👍

I wax the chains , but not using pans, pots and fryers, because I don't have that much space for a bike kitchen and I'm often in a hotel and I can't carry all the necessary equipment with me, so I have a battery-powered inductive heater and I can clean and re-wax chain on bike for 8 minutes

@onelastlap9302

5 ай бұрын

Interesting solution! Thanks for sharing 👍

Ни одна жена не получила столько заботы от мужа, как эта цепь.

@onelastlap9302

25 күн бұрын

😂

I wash and clean off the bike every ride. I degrease the chain about every 3rd ride. And then re-oil it and wipe off the excess. I store it in a shed. I've had no rust or any other problems. It's quick and easy.

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Great maintenance routine, much more than most riders. Glad it’s working well!

The more miles I ride, the more I'm considering a belt druve.

@onelastlap9302

5 ай бұрын

There’s a few other issues with belt, but can be a good option for commuter or cruiser. For road, chain still comes out on top 👍

how long it lasts until i can hear chain again?

@onelastlap9302

5 ай бұрын

I like to recommend ride it till 500km, then add drip wax at 500/750km and re hot wax at 1000

Does this work offroad on gravel and mud and rain?

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Yes, it also works well in those uses. You may have to clean/rewax a bit sooner depending on conditions, but a nicely waxed chain should help shed dirt and keep your drivetrain clean

@kziel1

5 ай бұрын

Doesn't work in winter though when roads are salted

Been doimg this for decades. Moly powder mixed with Gulf wax.

@onelastlap9302

4 ай бұрын

Nice, that’s a solid mix 👍

But shouldn’t you really clean the whole drivetrain not just the chain ?

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Yup, it’s a good idea to clean everything, wipe off drivetrain with isopropyl. I added that, and other details in description 👍

How is this method for mountain bikes? Im in California so we have a lot of sand

@onelastlap9302

Ай бұрын

It’s been pretty good for my mtb with dusty conditions, keeps things a lot cleaner and doesn’t attract as much dirt

@RussWittmann

27 күн бұрын

@@onelastlap9302 yep I just got the system last week and love it. Im so upset I didn't try it earlier.

You guys wax/oil your chain ?

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Every now and then 😅

I've never done wax before but I know that submursing your chain in cleaner degreaser will strip the lube out of the internals of the chains rollers. It's impossible to relube them after.

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

So the goal with the strip is to indeed strip ALL oil off the chain, including the internal oil. When you submerge in hot wax (10min or so) the chain heats up, the metal expands, and the wax gets in

@bradley3549

11 ай бұрын

Not impossible. Easy to do in a vacuum chamber.

@Leo-gt1bx

11 ай бұрын

Never had a problem. After 10 years of doing it I can honestly say I would never go back.

But what about the rust?

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

The wax coats all parts of the chain, so I haven’t had any issues with rust. If you are starting with a rusty chain, it would probably negatively affect wax adhesion, so new chain may be required

Simply use a transmission oil and wipe it afterwards. The time, effort and electricity aren't worth it with wax

@onelastlap9302

3 ай бұрын

If you keep up with maintenance, oil can work well! I find wax stays much cleaner though in long run

A film of wax is seems so easily maluable and moved out of connection points. Any videos of this working as opposed to cleaning and lubing

@onelastlap9302

3 ай бұрын

Hot waxed chains have been objectively tested to be faster and longer lasting then oil chains, it’s proven at this point. But are you thinking you want a video of a close up of the wax inside the chain (and what happens to it)?

I dont know where you mountainbike, but here in the NL this chain is dirty the very next trail through the muddy dutch forrests.

@onelastlap9302

11 ай бұрын

The oil tends to hold onto that dirt, and then grind it into a paste which is the black gooey stuff on the chain. Wax doesn’t have that really, since wax doesn’t absorb dirt like oil does

@semenivanoff8615

5 ай бұрын

Sand and mud will remove the wax very fast.

Using DuPont ChainSaver seems a lot easier than doing all this lol

@onelastlap9302

2 ай бұрын

The initial setup for wax is more time consuming, but follow up waxing is pretty quick and easy. And the amount of cleaning required is low!

0:31 aren't the bearings oiled too... RIP??

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Chains don’t have sealed bearings, for bike chains anyway. It’s metal on metal, and the wax reduces the friction

For my mtb, i really prefer to grease and degreaser the chain after each ride.

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

That’s a good maintenance routine as well!

@twhis9843

8 ай бұрын

Because in our rainy climate our off road chains get so filthy every ride, we started to use vegetable oil instead of petroleum products. The wet weather lubes are so difficult to clean off, we decided the cleaning process was more essential than having a waterproof lube. So now the always gritty chains come off, wash them in hot soapy water then oil them up for the next ride. But for commuting, a wax job is great because you don’t get so filthy when you have to make a repair and you don’t get oil all over your pants.

If new chains come pre lube then why get rid of original lube , just skip a step and submerge the new chain into the hot liquid wax, the wax will seal in the original lubricant from the factory 🤔🤔🤔why am I wrong ?🤷🏼‍♂️

@onelastlap9302

4 ай бұрын

I believe the issue would be the factory grease would cause an adhesion issue with wax added on top of it. You need to remove factory grease in order to get the wax to stick!

@solstar4778

4 ай бұрын

@@onelastlap9302 then the wax wouldn’t keep adhesions or abrasive away from the lube!

Dawn. then Squirt wax based lube. cuts your method in half

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Dawn wouldn’t do much to remove factory grease, would probably be ok at removing dirt, but better available

What liquid u put ??

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

It’s Silca chain stripper, info in description

Once you try wax, you'll never go back to any dirty lube. EVER! Guaranteed!

@onelastlap9302

11 ай бұрын

I haven’t changed back myself, really like the wax 👍

@brucejones8749

Ай бұрын

Gates belt drive

I followed this but my chain picked up sand during a bay ride after 50km .

@onelastlap9302

6 ай бұрын

Huh, interesting, haven’t had that issue myself. Did it come off easily?

@robertmcfadyen9156

6 ай бұрын

@@onelastlap9302 I had to rinse the Connex Wippermann 808 chain in degreaser , then dry it . Relubing will be done before the Giant Yukon's next use . There was wind and some sand on the paths as well as salt spray from a nearby river .

@robertmcfadyen9156

6 ай бұрын

@@onelastlap9302 Sandy off - road circuits will send up sand near the drivetrain eventually .

Soaking a rag with motor oil (any engine oil will do) and pulling the chain through it is all I do. That's it. Repeat every week on rainy conditions and every month on dry conditions. No special expensive chain oil, chain wax and no degreaser or anything else needed. Motor oil has everything needed, it works not only as a lubricant but also as a detergent and rust inhibitor, it has anti wear components, too. In winter it's thin enough and in summer thick enough due to it's viscostiy improvers it comes with when it is a multigrade oil which every motor oil nowadays is. Like I said, everything ever needed is already in motor oil included. There is no cheaper and more effective way to take care of your bicycle chain.

@c.s.4273

Жыл бұрын

@@jtb-southphilly If you wipe off excess oil your chain stays clean as well. Oil has a very high ability to crawl everywhere, wiping off the surface causes no problem to the lubrication as the oil finds its way to the places where it is needed. So even a dry wiped chain is still lubricated inside and the oil stays there as long as it is not washed out. A dirty chain is a chain not wiped off properly and was too oily.

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for adding your experience, if you’re doing maintenance that frequently on an oiled chain, it should work well! Most don’t do near enough maintenance with oil lube, and it just gets built up with dirt

@lyssanch3096

4 ай бұрын

Oh naw

@RossThompson89

4 ай бұрын

I’d be curious about friction tests using motor oil cuz that sounds like a load of horse crap haha

@papalegba6796

3 ай бұрын

@@RossThompson89 not according to industrial chain manufacturers it isn't 😂

Wow!

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

😊👍

Visible parts of the chain are irrelevant, it’s the inside that is important. If the wax gets inside the rollers, that’s where the magic has to happen.

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Yes, mainly important to get wax in, which is why you want to leave it for the 10 or so min to heat up and penetrate into the chain 👍. Although a thin layer of wax isn’t a bad thing on outside for further surface corrosion protection

The Silca chain stripper is costly . Ultrasonic cleaning is laboratory standard .

Isn’t candlewax for cozy nights with the ladies not riding squeeky bikes with bros?

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Haha, I do typically recommend a higher grade wax for this, it sticks better and lasts longer

@troyesch6203

10 ай бұрын

This isn’t candle wax. It’s formulated just for this purpose. Most of the people that this doesn’t work for is because they are using some cheap wax not intended for this purpose

This might sound trivial and crazy...but i use coconut oil to lube my chain...it works for me...👍

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Oh interesting, I know that and olive oil can work in a pinch, but the longevity isn’t great, and water resistance isn’t either, but they can work!

@twhis9843

8 ай бұрын

Glad to see another vegetable oil user is out there. One last is correct, it doesn’t last long but plant oils are not as tenacious so they are easy to clean. Sometimes that can be the larger priority in maintenance. If the lube is going to be thoroughly contaminated by sand it is better if it is easier to clean. Not to mention the additives in many of today’s products are terrible for environmental concerns. So my group started to use vegetable oil for off road use and we have been pleased with the result. Vegetable oil does fine for the several hours of a dirty recreational ride and cleans up easy. For clean commuting, wax all the way.

im also using wax, but bees wax, its also on my channel, so far so good

@onelastlap9302

28 күн бұрын

Cool, I’ll check it out! I think natural oils/waxes tend to suffer for longevity over synthetic options, but can work

People with KMC chains can resuse thier master links but only for 4 times after that its gonna be useless so yeah 4 re waxing on a single chain at each 1k km means 4k not at all bad for a chain 😂 plus this info of master link is by my friend who is a shimano certified mechanic so you can trust my source hahaha happy riding!!!

@onelastlap9302

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for adding 👍

@ABHI-dl4dc

5 ай бұрын

​@@onelastlap9302 You too for the straight forward video nothing just pure content 😉❤️

@fuxseb

3 ай бұрын

Isn't your professional friend aware that you can buy a master link very cheap, without buying an entire chain? It's a good idea to carry a spare in case of breakage. It is also my experience that they can be reused dozens of times. If it breaks, just install a new one. It's also pretty neat that they work with any brand of chain, not just KMC.

Judging by the video, in order to clean a bicycle chain, it is necessary to spoil the environment very well with chemistry, I clean the chain with a dry rag, but it takes about 30 minutes, but the rag is easier to dispose of than several liters of chemical liquid.

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

That is a valid concern, it’s more apparent if soaking the chain in solvents/gasoline to strip the coating. But the silca stripper is considered drain safe, so helps if you can use that vs transitional strip methods

Or like me and friends, use Squirt and don't faf. Degrease, dry, squirt. When squeaky, wipe, squirt. Repeat. Doing this for 3 years on all of my bikes, every thing else is a waste of time and money unless you are a Tour de France or Ultra Endurance Rider.

@onelastlap9302

3 ай бұрын

Squirt is pretty good, I do find the hot wax lasts longer and stays cleaner, but if you do get a good initial strip, squirt can work 👍

Haven’t tried it yet, but have been curious. Oddly my e-bike which I seldom do anything to the chain is going about 4000+ miles per chain. Makes no sense, maybe I should stop cleaning my other bikes chains 😂

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Oh interesting for the e-bike, sometimes they make the chains stronger/heavier to deal with extra load, maybe you’re getting more life from that!

@mikemazzantini6397

Жыл бұрын

@@onelastlap9302 It's just an 11 speed SLX chain. The only thing I do different is less maintenance and it lasts longer. Pretty odd.

@tosheshdaulta8899

Жыл бұрын

Impossible

@mikemazzantini6397

Жыл бұрын

@@tosheshdaulta8899 I think it's crazy too. I just measured it the other day and it still has some life left in it. That being said, when it's time to replace the chain, I'll probably replace the chainring and cassette too.

@mikemazzantini6397

Жыл бұрын

@@tosheshdaulta8899 What's even crazier is I'm on my 3rd motor, and only second chain.

Adept of the sect "Witnesses of Paraffin".

@onelastlap9302

3 ай бұрын

Gotta spread the good news 😅

I was under the impression that you needed to clean the cassette and chainring as will.

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Yup! I should have that info in description, this was mainly to show chain process

@RestlessGambler14

Жыл бұрын

@@onelastlap9302 Thanks for confirming.

I’m enjoying the bike so far kzread.infoUgkxMesz3KOGEmwmvyKQfLfrRSUXLFzfVHZA My only real complaints are the brakes and the pedals. I feel like a bike designed for bigger people should have much larger pedals and more heavy duty brakes. I’ve only gotten two really good rides out of it, minimal downhill action, and the brakes feel like they’re already going out. A larger person has more momentum, so I think this wasn’t thought through very well. Also, I wear size 13-14 wide shoes. My feet cramp up on these pedals that are clearly made for smaller feet. Since I’m not a pro rider (and I don’t think many are who purchase this bike) I don’t think that the straps on the pedal are necessary at all. None of this takes away from the enjoyment I get from riding, however. I’ll just head to a bike shop to improve on a few things.

@onelastlap9302

11 ай бұрын

Agree! Many objective tests show wax performs better than oil, but advise doing your own research 👍

Little bit of t-9 and send it!

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

👍👍

I sent some Silca Secret blend to a pathologist I know early this year . I now know exactly what is in it . I am replicating their product with a riding group with further refinements made . Expensive to make to recipie but worthwhile .

@Leo-gt1bx

11 ай бұрын

Common spill the beans 😊

Nice guide, only instead of chain cleaner I'd recommend using gasoline in ultrasound cleaner and Ikea candle wax.

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, ya I put some extra notes in video description with alternatives. I’d recommend canning wax vs candle wax, since it’s more pure

Wax is not a lubricant. It is made to put your bike in a museum.

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

There’s a lot of independent tests that show wax is the best performing product to put on your chain

Best method to lube a bike chain. Old tech though. I did it in the 1990's and "Chain Wax" in a can went out of production.

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Interesting, was that wax in can a hot wax method as well?

Cool vid But at 21 i am still riding the same bike i got at 14 I have not replaced a single part except one puncture So i have no fucking clue what you are talking about but it is still cool and interesting

@onelastlap9302

4 күн бұрын

It’s more for high performance bikes, where the parts are more $$$ and performance matters 👍

That’s BS. The lubrification must be where you have moving parts: between pin and hollow cylinder. Wax will probably won’t go there since you don’t help it (move links) during hot wax step and it will get grinded fast as wax won’t bond to slick metal surface. And imagine what will happen to your wax when you add dust/sand/mud to the mix during use! Sorry but this looks good but don’t make it for optimal mechanical results. I would love to see a legit test (with power meter and all) with wax vs oil. Stick to oil and clean your drive train.

@onelastlap9302

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for adding, but there is already a LOT of objective tests on hot waxing, see zerofriction cycles for instance. The heat opens the links and lets wax in, swishing around helps it penetrate as well. It really is the best method we have at the moment for high performing bike chains

@MrLapin-LL

5 ай бұрын

Really!!?? Wow, I’m surprised!! But well, we learn everyday and we must always be open minded! Thank for this reply!

@papalegba6796

3 ай бұрын

@@MrLapin-LL zero friction cycling has no qualifications and his results have never been verified or repeated. He also calls anybody questioning his methods conspiracy theorists. He has zero credibility.

use it during winter and let's see if gunk won't stick on it lols...as far as I know, paraffin is WAX...wax melts due to friction because friction = heat...and while cycling, with melting paraffin in between your links, that will gather dust during dry season, and muck during rain season...your chain will still become dirty...WHY I KNOW? because I have done this ages ago...like 10+ years ago...

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

I’ve found my chains have remained quite clean through a variety of conditions, but in harsh conditions like you’re describing, you will need to rewax sooner. Winter is tough on bikes no matter what lube you’re using!

@jeremymitchell8470

Жыл бұрын

I run Silca SS and it won’t pick up nearly as much muck or dust as any other lube I’ve run. My chains stay cleaner and last noticeably longer since I’ve started waxing. It’s faster too, since I run three chain and just swap them every couple weeks.

@TrailsideMTB.

Жыл бұрын

I find it hard to believe that you'd ever create enough friction in your chain to melt the wax. The problem is the quality of the paraffin wax. If you want to make your own chain wax at home you need food grade wax. Paraffin comes from crude oil but food grade paraffin wax has been refined so much that (from what I understand) there is little to none of the oily residue that will cause dirt to stick. You can also buy the cycling specific waxes which have additives to make it more suitable for cycling. Waxing should really be done with a brant new chain before any contaminants can get in between the links.

@troyesch6203

10 ай бұрын

It can’t just be any old paraffin wax. Molten speedwax is what I use and it works flawlessly. It doesn’t melt or get dirty. It stays very clean and fast

No way,too much work,I'll stay a Luddite,keep doing it the old way,never had any problems.more time available for actually cycling.

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

This is why many don’t wax, nothing wrong with more traditional lubes/cleaning either!

@ilhm474

Жыл бұрын

It's a lot less work if you're cycling semi-frequently and saves thousands of $$ overtime

note, this is an instruction on how to spend the whole day in the garage instead of on the bike...

@onelastlap9302

2 ай бұрын

The full process would take anywhere in the 30min to 2 hr range depending on skill/what croc pot you’re using

3:1 oil gets it done

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Ya, also can work, may attract more dirt then wax, but effective lube nonetheless 👌

Badass

@onelastlap9302

18 күн бұрын

👍

Install full mudguards/fenders and your chain will last much longer.

@onelastlap9302

Жыл бұрын

Could see that helping, for road bike though, which is what I mainly do, those aren’t really a thing. For commuters though, for sure

@calcagnolibero

Жыл бұрын

@@onelastlap9302 Not only commuters. Randonneurs have installed aluminium fenders on their bikes since the ‘20 of the past century. Please google Paris Brest Paris Randonnè. Any bike that let you ride the 1200 km of PBP in 60 hours deserve to be called road racing bike.

@dudeonbike800

Жыл бұрын

True, but it's mountain biking that really does in a chain. Endless supply of grit being tossed all over the chain and drive train all day long. Worse in the mud- WAY worse. Riding in dust, a "wet" lube will be dry and your chain grinding within 30 minutes. And the dry lubes too. For this reason, I carry a rag and lube on rides so I can restore smooth functioning for the duration. Not wax lubing... yet.

@trevekneebone369

Жыл бұрын

Agreed. The only time I remove them from my carbon road bike is when I have to take it on a plane - so once every 5 years 🤣

@calcagnolibero

Жыл бұрын

@@trevekneebone369 I have Honjo aluminum fenders of various width on all my bikes. On my Columbus SLX steel road racing bike I installed Gilles Berthoud carbon fenders, 200gr the whole set including hardware and stays. They were discontinued many years ago.