Chain Wax, Oil…..or ‘Revolube’ !

[sevenfourate]

I’m very tempted to try some. Current (Oil based) lube is awesome. But the cleaning up after a couple of hundred miles isn’t. Wax has its issues too.

This stuff seems to have some ‘unique’ characteristics, runs as clean as Wax, doesn’t gunk up Cassettes / Jockey wheels etc and the reviews online / YouTube etc are really good. It is £14 for 50ml mind…..

**It would also possibly mean I could run one Lube on all bikes. Now that would be a huge faff-saving 🤣🤣

Any thoughts, users, experience…or ?

https://revolubes.co.uk/products/bike-chain-lube-clear-blend

 

[fossyant]

There is alot of witchcraft with oil. I default to Finish Line Ceramic wet - it's relatively clean, offers really good wet weather protection - essential as I commute, and it's not expensive in the large bottle, which is more than enough for 5 bikes and over a year's supply.

I haven't got the patience to mess about with waxing 5 bikes or any other faff. A decent oil is just the job. Wipe off excess, and run a rag through the sprockets/wipe the jockeys. That's it. Added benefit, the oil does protect the cassette from corrosion, unlike wax.

 

[Drago]

And it's soothes your piles too!

Oil is hardly onerous is used sparingly. Wax.is all well and good but is a vast amount of effort in one go so save a little bit of effort spread out over time. There ain't no free lunch.

 

[T4tomo]

Squirt wax based lubricant for the win. Clean and easy.

Possibly not for a wet winter commute though, where I would 2nd Finish Line Ceramic wet @fossyant

 

[PaulSB]

If one is a disciple of hot waxing, that is removing the chain, place it in a vibrating thingy to clean before immersion in hot wax, drying before reinstalling. *** Then yes, waxing is an enormous faff and I don't think worth the effort.

For simple folk like me. Scrupulously clean the chain, rings and cassette, remove if you wish, allow to dry before applying liquid wax using the well established @mickle method of lubing.

Post ride wipe chain with a cloth, an old tea towel is my go to. If the chain feels dry apply wax. In wet conditions be sure to wipe the chain dry and reapply if necessary. I find Squirt, Silca and KMC Go are very good. My preference is for KMC Go, it's lovely and thick.

Everything will be beautifully clean and ride very smoothly. It's absolutely no more time consuming than lubing and the results are brilliant.

Pre-waxed chains are good if a touch expensive 😲

Waxing I think is for recreational riding, I doubt it would stand up to the rigours of a winter commute.

**** apparently some people pay good money for such an experience. 🤣

 

[13 rider]

Seems expensive ,twice as expensive as silca super secret drip on wax which is suppose to be among the lowest friction lubes out there . I'm firmly in @PaulSB camp of chain maintenance the only extra faff compared to oil based lubes is the initial stripping of factory lube
Silca has just bought out a new improved v2 of the lube so they may be offers to be found on the original, which I found to be excellent

 

[SpokeyDokey]

OT - apologies.

@13 rider - your star tally is impressive. Hadn't realised you were doing so well! Well done you!

 

[13 rider]

OT - apologies.

@13 rider - your star tally is impressive. Hadn't realised you were doing so well! Well done you!

Thank you ,Yes just keep ticking along each year beginning to find the imperial century challenge tough , I'm thankful that over the years I've stayed healthy and injury free to get the rides in

 

[PpPete]

With the miles I currently cover (~400/month) I actually spend less time hot waxing than I used to when I used an oil.
Summer is about 200miles per application, winter a bit less.
Three chains per bike used in rotation, clean & rewax two at a time when the third one goes on.
Absolutely no need for ultrasonic cleaning, hot water from the kettle is quite enough to remove any contamination.
Two years now and still no chain wear detectable using the Park Tool gauge.
All my clubmates comment on how clean my drivechain stays.

When I used an expensive oil it seemed to be forever wiping and re-applying, and still got through a chain every year.

I'll grant that stripping factory grease from a new chain is a faff but since, at a conservative estimate, a chain will last three years that's something I'll happily put up with for the massive saving in cost of replacement drive chain components.

£14 for 50ml ? Seriously?
I think I spent that much on my first 500ml batch of "home-brew" paraffin wax blend with PTFE (which I still have most of, because I've switched away from PFAS, at only a very marginal increase in cost).

 

[EckyH]

I find Squirt, Silca and KMC Go are very good. My preference is for KMC Go, it's lovely and thick.

Iirc the label on the KMC Go stuff somewhere states that it's made by squirt.

The KMC Go and Squirt wax emulsions I used were a bit sticky and attracted dust and grime. Now I use industrial grade water based wax emulsion.

Waxing I think is for recreational riding, I doubt it would stand up to the rigours of a winter commute.

My experience tells that even winter commuting isn't a problem, if...

Post ride wipe chain with a cloth, an old tea towel is my go to. If the chain feels dry apply wax. In wet conditions be sure to wipe the chain dry and reapply if necessary.

If that isn't possible, then of course oil based lubing is better.

E.

 

[fossyant]

Waxing I think is for recreational riding, I doubt it would stand up to the rigours of a winter commute.

Most of my riding is in mixed weather, and mixed condition rides - i.e. it's rare I do a completely road ride - the bike I use also does off road, and only in recent months has it been silly dry, but until May, the tracks were still quite wet. Works if you do road rides and aren't commuting, then I may look at waxed chains when I retire. Waxed chains on MTB - no chance. I'm a one solution does all bikes ! A wet oil does that.

 

[Milzy]

Seems expensive ,twice as expensive as silca super secret drip on wax which is suppose to be among the lowest friction lubes out there . I'm firmly in @PaulSB camp of chain maintenance the only extra faff compared to oil based lubes is the initial stripping of factory lube
Silca has just bought out a new improved v2 of the lube so they may be offers to be found on the original, which I found to be excellent

I use this. Amazing stuff, very expensive little bottle.

 

[fossyant]

I use this. Amazing stuff, very expensive little bottle.

You've been had.....

 

[fossyant]

It's like that Sky branded oil.

 

[sevenfourate]

I use this. Amazing stuff, very expensive little bottle.

Oh brilliant ! Please share your experience with me ? 😁