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Bicycle Chain Waxing

SILCA Velo: Wax vs Oil: Which is the BETTER Chain Lube?

New Chain Cleaning

  • Add 5:1 mixture of elma tec clean A4 to Ultrasonic Cleaner
  • Degass for 10 minutes and heat mixture to 60 Celsius (140 Fahrenheit)
  • Add new chains and run for 10 minutes
  • Remove chains and flush with boiling water (2 times)
  • Filter mixture and repeat above steps
  • Remove chains and flush with boiling water (2 times)
  • If towel drying chain shows grease on towel then repeat above steps
  • Once towel drying shows no grease on towel, add UFO Drivetrain Cleaner to Ultrasonic Cleaner
  • Degass for 10 minutes and heat mixture to 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit)
  • Add chains and run for 10 minutes
  • Remove chains and flush with boiling water until water is clear
  • Hang chains and dry with hair dryer
flowchart TD
 A[Ultrasonic Cleaner]-- Add 5:1 mixture A4 --> B((Degass 10 min @ 60C))
 B-- Add chains --> C((Ultrasonic 10 min @ 60C))
 C -- Remove chains & flush with water --> D{Pass Number?}
 D -- 1st Pass: filter mixture --> B
 D -- Pass+1: towel dry chains --> E{Grease on towel?}
 E -- Grease on towel: filter mixture --> B
 E -- No Grease on towel --> F[Ultrasonic Cleaner]
 F -- Add UFO Drivetrain Cleaner --> G((Degass 10 min @ 40C))
 G -- Add chains --> H((Ultrasonic 10 min @ 40C))
 H -- Remove chains & flush with water until clear --> I((Hang chains & use dryer))

New Chain Waxing

  • Add MSPEEDWAX to Slow Cooker pot and heat to 93 Celsius (200 Fahrenheit)
  • Add dried chain to Slow Cooker pot and wait until heat returns to the above temperature
  • Swish chain in wax for 1 minute
  • Remove chain and hang to dry
  • Optional on master link ( Chain QUICK LINKS: Are they keeping you from waxing? )
    • Swish master link in wax
    • Remove master link and dry

Note: Buy a Candy Thermometer and calibrate with boiling water.

New Chain Preparation Prior Installation on Bike

  • Break wax bond on chain by running chain over PVC pipe

Chain installation

  • Install chain
  • Spin crank for 1 minute to further break wax bond
  • Spin crank and change gears up and down for 1 minute
  • Ride bike for 10 minutes to complete initial break in

Note: Chain may skip during the 10 minute ride break in period.

Waxed Chain Maintenance at Home

  • Flush with boiling water (2 times)
  • Optional steps to clean dirty chain or chain with SILCA Super Secret Drip lube while away from home:
    • Add 5:1 mixture of elma tec clean A4 to Ultrasonic Cleaner
    • Degass for 10 minutes and heat mixture to 60 Celsius (140 Fahrenheit)
    • Add chains and run for 10 minutes
    • Remove chains and flush with boiling water until water is clear
  • Hang chains and dry with hair dryer
  • Follow New Chain Waxing

Waxed Chain Maintenance away from home (UPDATED)

Stop Wasting Your CHAIN LUBE! Know the BEST Way to Apply It!

Steps from Zero Friction Cycling on use of SILCA Super Secret Drip Lube.

  • Cross chain (large chain ring; large rear cassette cog)
  • Shake bottle well and open tip halfway.
  • Begin applying drip lube to top of rollers close to rear cog while pedalling backward. Be sure to apply at least 1 drop per roller and no more than 2 drops per roller while continuing to backpedal..
  • Use fingers on top-bottom of chain to work the lube into rollers while back pedalling at least 3-4 revolutions.
  • Pedal forward in the top of the cassette, pedal for at least 3-4 revolutions. The extreme chain angle opens gaps between plates to allow the lube to better work into the chain. Continue pedalling, shifting through all gears on the rear cassette at least once.
  • Stop pedalling and allow Secret Chain Lube to dry for minimum 2 hours, test results show that lube is fully hardened in 24 hours. ZeroFrictionCycling found SSCL to be best dry lube EVER Tested after 8 hours drying, but would be EVEN BETTER after 24 hours!!

Notes:

  • Reuse master link for up to 5 times
  • Use a new link on 6th chain install

Note: Replace the master link prior to the 6th time if you notice that removal or install of master link is too easy.

  • Connex link can be reused infinitely as the design relies on plate shape for retention as opposed to a tolerance fit.
  • Chains can be easily opened and closed by hand – no tools required.
  • Available for 12-, 11-, 10-, 9- and 8-speed chains (do not work with SRAM flat top chains).
  • 12-, 11-, 10-speed links are expensive and similar in cost to 6 YBN QRS links.
  • Assembly and Operating Instruction Connex Link

Replace Chain at 0.5% wear

NOTE: Any other tool may give false reading.

Notes:

  • SRAM chains with “HARDCHROME” – so Force / Red or x01 xx1 – they are the hardiest wearing chains in the world by a large margin – no other chains wear resistance matches SRAM HARDCHROME wear protection.
  • SRAM flat top chains have oversize rollers so you will get a false low wear measure. 0.5 on a Flat top chains is going to be circa 0.7 on a normal 11/12 standard chain.

Final Notes

  • Wear safety glasses
  • Naturalize and dispose of waste per your local area requirements

Want Someone to do Initial Chain Cleaning and Wax?

Chain Waxing Starter Kit

Optional items