Chain wax - yay or nay?

[warthog1]

Novice question - does anyone wax with a Campagnolo drivetrain? The quick links for an Ekar chain are marked for one use. And a replacement C link is nearly $30(!). Do people reuse the C-link?

I am using 11s Shimano. Just got 3 of these
https://zerofrictioncycling.com.au/prod ... asterlink/
It states compatible with campag too and lists various speed chains.

[Thoglette]

$600 per 10,000km? On 8 speed? That seems like a lot - back of the envelope calcs seems like my costs (of consumables) are about half that using 12-speed and high-end tyres (2x M6100 chains, $40 each, 1.5 Pirelli P Zero Race TLR tyres, $100 each, 0.5 105 R7100 cassettes, $70).

There's also allowance in there for: a set of cable outers and inners (I usually chew through a few RHS inners in 10K but I have a big box of them) ; most of a wheel rebuild (usually the rear ), and for proportion of the set of bearings (wheels, headset, BB).

The wheel is the big ticket item, particularly as I run 36 spokes and have been lazy lately and paid Adrian @Melody Wheels to rebuild them for me.

[kilroy]

Quick couple of questions. How many times do you use the wax in your pot?

I see some people talk about boiling the chain before rewaxing but the ZF vid shows him putting it into the wax pot without any sort of cleaning. What do most people do?

Depends on how dirty it gets, probably about 10000km.

For dry riding no need to use boiling water, I just give it a wipe with isopropyl alcohol or method whilst on the bike to get ride of surface dust and then pop off and wax.

It's only wet riding really needs a boiling water bath, out the chain in a tub of boiling water wait a couple minutes then agitate then dump the water, do it, 3x and then dry the chain and re-wax. I have found adding a dash of laundry liquid to the first bath sems to clean better.

Cheers, thanks for the info. Sounds like you get pretty good bang for buck.

[kilroy]

Quick couple of questions. How many times do you use the wax in your pot?

Forever!
I occasionally slice off the bottom layer of crap or filter the hot wax through some kitchen paper but that’s about it.

I see some people talk about boiling the chain before rewaxing but the ZF vid shows him putting it into the wax pot without any sort of cleaning. What do most people do?

Wipe it down with some turps and that’s about it,

Makes sense, thanks.

[goanna]

Post by warthog1 » Thu Apr 11, 2024 3:37 pm

goanna wrote: ↑
Thu Apr 11, 2024 1:46 pm
Novice question - does anyone wax with a Campagnolo drivetrain? The quick links for an Ekar chain are marked for one use. And a replacement C link is nearly $30(!). Do people reuse the C-link?
I am using 11s Shimano. Just got 3 of these
https://zerofrictioncycling.com.au/prod ... asterlink/
It states compatible with campag too and lists various speed chains

Thanks for the link. That looks like a good option - however it only lists 8-12 speed options and the Campag Ekar is 13 speed

[warthog1]

Post by warthog1 » Thu Apr 11, 2024 3:37 pm

goanna wrote: ↑
Thu Apr 11, 2024 1:46 pm
Novice question - does anyone wax with a Campagnolo drivetrain? The quick links for an Ekar chain are marked for one use. And a replacement C link is nearly $30(!). Do people reuse the C-link?
I am using 11s Shimano. Just got 3 of these
https://zerofrictioncycling.com.au/prod ... asterlink/
It states compatible with campag too and lists various speed chains

Thanks for the link. That looks like a good option - however it only lists 8-12 speed options and the Campag Ekar is 13 speed

Bugger. No idea there sorry.

[warthog1]

worth a look to explain the advantages, simplicity and time saving of waxing.

[Arbuckle23]

worth a look to explain the advantages, simplicity and time saving of waxing.

I fell asleep watching that! He does go on a bit

[warthog1]

worth a look to explain the advantages, simplicity and time saving of waxing.

I fell asleep watching that! He does go on a bit

He does I found it interesting though. No other method of lube compares from a wear perspective. He does show some drip lubes you can use with immersive waxes too, so try again

[warthog1]

Had a look at my waxed chain after 100k ride on dirt. No comparison to drip wax
The dirt just doesn't stick to it. A quick wipe with a microfibre cloth and clean. It has done 300km now so whipped it off and threw a new one on. Put the old one on the wax block in the slow cooker. I'll wait until all 3 chains are done and wax them again.

[Retrobyte]

worth a look to explain the advantages, simplicity and time saving of waxing.

Biggles doesn't watch YouTube

[warthog1]

Apparently not.
Wasn't for his benefit though.
Wish I had taken note alot earlier.

[kilroy]

I received my Rex Diamond wax today, would be ready to go had I also received the two chains I ordered. My current chain is almost worn out but I’m thinking I’ll prep it and use it until the two new ones turn up.

[biker jk]

worth a look to explain the advantages, simplicity and time saving of waxing.

Biggles doesn't watch YouTube

I think you meant Dr Biggles.

[Jean]

Novice question - does anyone wax with a Campagnolo drivetrain? The quick links for an Ekar chain are marked for one use. And a replacement C link is nearly $30(!). Do people reuse the C-link?

I do with 12-speed and can use KMC or SRAM Eagle links. But with 13-speed Ekar I think you're out of luck.

[MichaelB]

As an example of drivetrain cleanliness, this is my cassette after 600 km of running a waxed chain without doing anything to it.



Yes, there is a tiny bit of wax on some cog faces, but this is thin and dry. No muck or grime sticking to hands or anything else when you touch it.

If nothing else is a benefit of immersion waxing, then that’s brilliant.

[kilroy]

Any easy way to clean the cassette without removing it?

[jasonc]

Any easy way to clean the cassette without removing it?

buy a new wheel and a new cassette?

[MichaelB]

Any easy way to clean the cassette without removing it?

With waxing, no need to !!

[Nobody]

Any easy way to clean the cassette without removing it?

A rag cut into a strip, then threaded between each cog can do it.

[jasonc]

Any easy way to clean the cassette without removing it?

With waxing, no need to !!

This. My gravel bike is at nearly 3000kms. Ridden in the horrible weather we have had all summer up here. Cassette still looks clean

[foo on patrol]

Any easy way to clean the cassette without removing it?

A rag cut into a strip, then threaded between each cog can do it.

I thought everyone did this!

Foo