Chain Wax, Oil…..or ‘Revolube’ !

[Ajax Bay]

https://revolubes.co.uk/products/bike-chain-lube-clear-blend
£14 for 50ml.
Makes proper chain waxing look cheap.

 

[Sea of vapours]

Makes proper chain waxing look cheap.

As doubtless discussed elsewhere, proper, immersive chain waxing literally is cheap if all you buy is a £20 Crockpot and some wax, which seems to last near-indefinitely. And that's without factoring in that all the drivetrain components seem to last three or more times as long as 'normal'.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

And that's without factoring in that all the drivetrain components seem to last three or more times as long as 'normal'.

You are getting more than 15,000 miles per chain. Interesting.

 

[Sea of vapours]

You are getting more than 15,000 miles per chain. Interesting.

15,000km. Prior to waxing I was generally retiring 11 speed chains at 0.5%, which was 5-6,000km. The two chains I've retired since immersive waxing have been at 15,000km and 14,000km, approximately. I've not retired a cassette yet, since waxing, but that would probably be true with 'oil' too.

 

[PaulSB]

When I set off the bike was spotless. After 64 miles of dusty, dry gravel this is how she looks. Chain and cassette almost pristine, the bike covered in dust.

KMC pre-waxed chain and KMC liquid wax. The best chain and combination I've ever ridden. Clean and silky smooth.

 

[scotsbikester]

I'm only 125 miles into my immersive waxing. But so far it has been entirely positive. The cleanliness, which is my main reason for doing this, is fantastic. Also I don't have to faff about dripping oil onto the chain, wiping it off, disposing of oily rags etc. etc. And today I did my first ride wearing normal trousers, without worrying about getting inedlible oil marks on them. Fantastic.

Most of the riding has been dry tarmac, but very occasionally through a few puddles (some of them muddy), and some sandy tracks. Sand didn't seem to adhere. Very little rain from above though.

Many thanks to the advice from Sea of Vapours.

 

[scotsbikester]

As doubtless discussed elsewhere, proper, immersive chain waxing literally is cheap if all you buy is a £20 Crockpot and some wax, which seems to last near-indefinitely. And that's without factoring in that all the drivetrain components seem to last three or more times as long as 'normal'.

£20 crockpot? That's crazy money ;-) I paid a whole £11.01 for mine. I expect that if one didn't mind waiting, it would be possible to get one for nothing on one of the many local recycling type groups.

But yes, the immersive waxing system looks like it will be cheap, now that I've made the initial investment. I did decide to go with three new chains (YBN, the brand Adam Karin recommends) plus a new non-cheap cassette. So the initial investment was some money. But I want to go "all-in" on this. I've kept my old very slightly part worn chains and cassette, in case I decide to go back to oil for the wet winter. But my experience so far suggests I won't.

 

[Milzy]

Revolube sounds well crap then. Few quid more gets me my favourite improved Silca secret lube. It lasts longer than basic candle wax too. I can’t see me changing for a long time. Unless some company copies Silca for a lot less in price.

 

[Ajax Bay]

my favourite improved Silca secret lube

You're a marketeer's dream

 

[Milzy]

You're a marketeer's dream

It’s the best on test. Chain saw oil would do but not for Me.

 

[scotsbikester]

Way too much analysis going on here.

Oil chain, go ride. Wipe occasionally with a rag.

That's interesting. What was it about waxing your chain that made you change to using oil instead?