Chain Waxing, specifically Silva System?

[Matt London]

I have a new (1 month) 12spd SRAM Axs bike. A bit awkward compared to my old 10Spd Ultegra Di2, but that’s a different matter.

I was used to paying £15’ish for a new Ultegra chain and around £35 for a new cassette. My mind was blown by the prices of the equivalent SRAM 12spd components.

I have been looking at increasing longevity of what I previously perceived to be ‘consumable’ components. The Silca Chain Waxing System seems to be something worth looking further into. I need any waxing system to be compact.

Does anyone here have any experience with the system that they could share? Is Waxing just a Summer thing?

Cheers

Matt

[thisnameistaken]

I just use an ultrasonic cleaner and a £10 slow cooker. I use paraffin wax with graphine and ptfe added in. It’s great. I didn’t know there were systems available for it tbh.

[frisbee]

I stick a new chain in a jar with white spirit. stick the lid on, shake it and then repeat with meths to clean it.

Then a similar mix of wax and additives.

I also use a cheap slow cooker. You just need to remember to turn it down before the wax boils.

Trying it commuting over the winter I found:

Your chain will rust if you ride in heavy rain but you just need to remember to dry it off, cassette as well. If its really cold a freshly waxed chain may not shed the excess wax quickly and your chain skips.

Your bike doesn't end up coated in wet lube.

[Matt London]

Thanks for the replies.

The Silca system appeals to me for its compactness and advertised temperature control https://www.balfesbikes.co.uk/tools-maintenance/to...

[addey]

Just degrease your chain in a jar and lube with a drip wax like Squirt (or silca or ceramic speed if you want to spend £££)

[z4RRSchris]

thisnameistaken said:

I just use an ultrasonic cleaner and a £10 slow cooker. I use paraffin wax with graphine and ptfe added in. It’s great. I didn’t know there were systems available for it tbh.

i also do this, but i use a old pot on the hob.

[Crippo]

Finish line have just launched their Hit wax system which uses Tungsten to aid lubrication and also uses Boron Nitride to form ceramic platelets on the chain which protects it and stops it from rusting, something g some posters have said their wax doesn’t prohibit.
It’s £40 for a bag that will do 25 applications and is as simple as placing the bag ina saucepan of boiling water. You can also top it up with an additional Eax lubricant that has the same properties.

[Crippo]

Crippo said:

Finish line have just launched their Hit wax system which uses Tungsten to aid lubrication and also uses Boron Nitride to form ceramic platelets on the chain which protects it and stops it from rusting, something g some posters have said their wax doesn’t prohibit.
It’s £40 for a bag that will do 25 applications and is as simple as placing the bag ina saucepan of boiling water. You can also top it up with an additional Eax lubricant that has the same properties.

Telling you it’s name might help….It’s called HALO

[Matt London]

Thanks for all of the replies.

[Julian Scott]

My 2p......get your LBS to do it. £20.

Why go to the cost/hassle of DIY?

[thisnameistaken]

Julian Scott said:

My 2p......get your LBS to do it. £20.

Why go to the cost/hassle of DIY?

Because it needs redoing every 500km or when it rains and £20 will buy you a slow cooker and enough wax to do all your chains and the chains of every person you'll ever know for a lifetime. And some people prefer to tinker.

Edited by thisnameistaken on Wednesday 10th July 15:09

[Julian Scott]

thisnameistaken said:

Julian Scott said:

My 2p......get your LBS to do it. £20.

Why go to the cost/hassle of DIY?

Because it needs redoing every 500km or when it rains and £20 will buy you a slow cooker and enough wax to do all your chains and the chains of every person you'll ever know for a lifetime. And some people prefer to tinker.

Edited by thisnameistaken on Wednesday 10th July 15:09

No it doesn't. Every 1,000-1500km or so it needs to have a bit of drip wax put on. Maybe once per year (or c5-7,000km), it might need redoing.

If you prefer to tinker, then that's fine. But for me, a few hours of my time is more precious than £20/yr

[thisnameistaken]

Julian Scott said:

thisnameistaken said:

Julian Scott said:

My 2p......get your LBS to do it. £20.

Why go to the cost/hassle of DIY?

Because it needs redoing every 500km or when it rains and £20 will buy you a slow cooker and enough wax to do all your chains and the chains of every person you'll ever know for a lifetime. And some people prefer to tinker.

Edited by thisnameistaken on Wednesday 10th July 15:09

No it doesn't. Every 1,000-1500km or so it needs to have a bit of drip wax put on. Maybe once per year (or c5-7,000km), it might need redoing.

If you prefer to tinker, then that's fine. But for me, a few hours of my time is more precious than £20/yr

Fair play, 7000km is fantastic, seems I'm not the only one who can't get near that.

[addey]

Yep, I can't see any of the chain waxing companies claiming anything like that kind of mileage for their pre-prepped chains. 500km at most I reckon, less if you ride in the wet....

[JEA1K]

I've been using the Enigma wax and a £12 Amazon crockpot ... I rewax my chains every couple of weeks, so 500 ish miles. Once you've got your process nailed, its very easy and much more time efficient than degreasing/chainbathing/re-applying lube after every couple of rides, particularly in our stty winters. I do use Silca drip wax probably once during the 500 mile period to keep it topped up.

Reapplying just means putting your chain on boiling water and running it through a cloth a few time to remove old wax and any dirt, then you can reapply.

[Julian Scott]

thisnameistaken said:

Julian Scott said:

thisnameistaken said:

Julian Scott said:

My 2p......get your LBS to do it. £20.

Why go to the cost/hassle of DIY?

Because it needs redoing every 500km or when it rains and £20 will buy you a slow cooker and enough wax to do all your chains and the chains of every person you'll ever know for a lifetime. And some people prefer to tinker.

Edited by thisnameistaken on Wednesday 10th July 15:09

No it doesn't. Every 1,000-1500km or so it needs to have a bit of drip wax put on. Maybe once per year (or c5-7,000km), it might need redoing.

If you prefer to tinker, then that's fine. But for me, a few hours of my time is more precious than £20/yr

Fair play, 7000km is fantastic, seems I'm not the only one who can't get near that.

I can't for a second believe that chains need fully re-waxing after 150-200 miles unless it's been done especially badly.

Even my gravel bike that has horrific conditions thrown at it hasn't been re-waxed after 2,500km of filthy conditions. I've just come back from 7 days in France - had the wax checked before I left as it's 3,000km since it was done, it didn't even need topping up. We did over 800km, including two wet days and riding most of the gravel stage TDF route. Mechanic says it's still fine, but does need topping up with drip wax. Took 2 minutes.

Conversely, the guys I was with needed to grease their chains 2 or 3 times during there week. AND they all got oily chain marks on their legs/sock/shoes. That for me is reason enough to wax.