this post was submitted on 24 Jul 2025
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bike wrench
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I ALREADY DO! Humph! ๐
Honestly, though. Waxing my chains has been the single best decision I've made with regards to my bikes. I absolutely lothed dirty chains, and the shit I needed to do in order to keep them "clean". The solvents, ultrasonic cleaner, endless wiping after rides, switching to "clean" lubes... I just had enough.
Goddamn, your problem is bigger than mine. I just waxed my first chain last week. Will be converting all. Especially with the ridiculous prices of chains and other conponents currenty.
That moment when you hope the ultrasonic has removed the grime, only to discover there are bits firmly stuck on the chain and that your scrubbing is assured.
Yup. When I got my gravel bike, I knew it was the perfect time to try, since everything was new and I did not want to burn through more expensive 11speed components. Within a week, I converted the other two. LOL
One tip: Look up "Wippermann" chains, or at least their Connex master links (Made in Germany products, but are sold through several Canadian dealers). The links can be opened and closed without tools, making waxing easier. I also rotate through several chains, so I can quickly swap a dirty one for a freshly waxed one.
Damn I just stocked up on KMC. I'm aware of Connex but didn't think of switching. KMC now sells reusable links, although I don't know whether they're infinitely reusable. What wax do you use and how many kilometers do you ride between rewaxing?
E: Ordered a Connex chain and some links. Might sell some of the KMCs.
I use both KMC and Wippermann chains. On one bike, I only run KMC with rust buster (Z8.1, believe) during the winter.
But the Connex links go on everything. Super easy.
The KMC quick links are reusable, but for something like five times. Wippermann links are designed to be used "forever" or for the life of the chain.
For Wax, it's Silca hot melt and Silca drip wax between. I'm looking to move away from Silca wax (or any American wax), but finding alternatives isn't easy without spending at least 3x more.
Immersion wax is usually after 600 to 800km, with drip wax every 200km or so. This is in dry conditions.
Over the winter, or after a gritty/wet ride, the chain gets rewaxed more often. Because I rotate chains, the process is really quick.
Silca sells an endurance drop in block that should extend longevity by hundreds of kilometers more.
Do you use Silca's endurance additive?
Nope. Haven't had a need to.
But when it comes time to replace my immersion wax, I'll be going with Rex Black Diamond. It's high scoring on Zero Friction Cycling's tests, made in Finland, and can be tuned using different ratios.
But... it's like $80 + another $75 for their drip wax, so I will be waiting for that.
Inreresing. I don't care much about watts since I ride with (low) electric assist. I want maximum mileage between service so that wide gap in the single application between Silca and Rex looks very intriguing. That said I ordered some endurance additives for the Silca wax so I'm gonna use that for now. I hope I can squeeze 1K km between rewaxing.
Nice! It wouldn't surprise me if you do! And a bag of wax lasts a very long time, so you should be set for at least the next few years.
Am expecting a Verge D9 since I got an RTO order for Sept. I'll be converting it to super-lightweight FWD, wax and ride in the winter. We'll see how it goes.