Are you oiling or waxing?

[steveindenmark]

Are you oiling or waxing?

I couldnt believe I actually asked the cycle mechanic that question. I was even more pleased that Jannie was not standing next to me when I asked it 😊

I I have always oiled my chain but on the advice of my bike mechanic I have decided to try wax for a while. I gave the drive train a thorough cleaning last night and applied the wax. It sounded smooth on my 20km commute this morning.

Is wax becoming the norm now?

 

[Slick]

This will no doubt turn into a long list of those doing the Mickle method, but I've been waxing for a while now and found it to be of particular benefit in the wet. For me, it takes a while to do it right, as you really have to soak the chain to get a good covering.

 

[DCLane]

Ceramic wax from autumn-spring, race lube oil spring-autumn but only because I was given a giant bottle of race oil.

 

[Moodyman]

Oil.

 

[pawl]

Shave my legs first then oil 😜😜😜

 

[CanucksTraveller]

I'm a Dook of oil.

I tried wax ages ago but didn't like it.

 

[wafter]

I wax (chain off, chucked in a pan of hot paraffin wax) and like it as everything stays clean and reports suggest that it yields benefits in terms of reduced friction and increased drivetrain life, although I can't verify these.

On the down side it's a bit more involved that oiling and you need a removable chain, but by the same token you don't need to use degreasers or chain cleaning devices and the whole process is a lot less unpleasant than trying to clean a filthy black chain, rings, cassette and jockey wheels. I don't find it offers any significant corrosion protection and it needs re-application about every 300 miles IME. It kills squeaks well but you do get more mechancial noise / clatter from the chain with increased use.

For the fair weather riding I usually enjoy I'm totally sold tbh. Looking forward to seeing how long my chains and other components last with this method

 

[derrick]

Are you oiling or waxing?

I couldnt believe I actually asked the cycle mechanic that question. I was even more pleased that Jannie was not standing next to me when I asked it 😊

I I have always oiled my chain but on the advice of my bike mechanic I have decided to try wax for a while. I gave the drive train a thorough cleaning last night and applied the wax. It sounded smooth on my 20km commute this morning.

Is wax becoming the norm now?

When i read the title i thought it was about beards. Have just grown one for the first time in my life. I need to know how to look after it.

 

[raleighnut]

Oil

 

[Hugh Jampton]

For the benefit of an utter numpty, is Mickle's method on here somewhere? Don't seem to be able to find it!

 

[FrankCrank]

Did some experimenting with paraffin wax some years back, due to dusty tracks here, but in recent times the routes I cycle are now mostly paved, so back to using oil. I am lazy with this sort of thing, same with all maintenance I suppose, so my fleet now get a drop of motor oil about once a year whether they need it or not

 

[fossyant]

Oil on the MTB. Easier to clean the drive chain with it. Had to de-grease the chain and cassette yesterday due to the levels of dust at the minute - it would still stick to wax. I used to use wax on the road bikes in summer/dry weather.

 

[byegad]

I tried wax when I was commuting 12 miles each way, the amount of gunk it picked up meant it was an absolute pain to clean it off after prolonged use. I reverted to oil, much simpler, less accumulated crud and no difference in longevity of chains and sprockets.

 

[smokeysmoo]

For the benefit of an utter numpty, is Mickle's method on here somewhere? Don't seem to be able to find it!

LINK 👍

 

[smokeysmoo]

Still using chainsaw oil here, no complaints from me or my drive trains