Boardman ADV 8.9 E

[Mocaccino]

Ah - but did you try and fit a magic link to the ORIGINAL bike as from the factory? - that's what was odd . . . my best guess is that original chain is not the same chain as the KMC e11 (the factory would be using chain "off the roll" rather than the boxed retail products)

It was a new chain and link, the original chain was knackered.

 

[robgul]

It was a new chain and link, the original chain was knackered.

I had no problem with the brand new e11 chain and link (which is back in its box for when I need to replace the original chain.

It was the re-use of the original chain - with lots of life left - (that like most factory fitted chains didn't have a magic link) that was too wide for an 11speed KMC link.

 

[Mocaccino]

I had no problem with the brand new e11 chain and link (which is back in its box for when I need to replace the original chain.

It was the re-use of the original chain - with lots of life left - (that like most factory fitted chains didn't have a magic link) that was too wide for an 11speed KMC link.

How's the wax setup going? How often do you need to re-wax? I never thought about it before but seems worth doing if it's cleaner and makes the chain last longer.

 

[robgul]

How's the wax setup going? How often do you need to re-wax? I never thought about it before but seems worth doing if it's cleaner and makes the chain last longer.

Can't comment on the Boardman as I haven't been out on it yet - but one of my other bikes (Van Nic Ti road) has been ridden with a waxed chain for several hundred miles and the chain has remained very clean and (although I may be imagining it) seems to be smoother running. As long as the chain doesn't get too dirty (wet) then it should last around 3-400 miles before re-waxing (the original pre-first wax clean to remove oil - or original grease on a new chain - needn't be repeated)

Waxing the clean chain only takes about 5 mins to remove/refit the chain - and about 35-40 minutes in the slow cooker, no need to watch it! - and about 20 minutes for the chain/wax to dry and cool down. I hang the chain from its midpoint on a nail above the bench above the slow cooker to catch any drips. The chain ends up as a "stiff rod" with the wax coating and needs manual "relaxing" before re-fitting.

As suggested by a friend I'm going to add some PTFE powder to the wax next time I do a chain. Next time I'm waxing a chain I'll do 2 so I have "one on/one off" to reduce down-time (and probably across the 4 bikes I ride too = 8 chains!)

This quite useful: https://silcavelo.eu/pages/how-to-apply-chain-lube [I have an ultrasonic machine which makes it easier]