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Old December 1st 18, 02:28 AM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
John B. Slocomb
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Posts: 805
Default A few months waxing chain

On Sat, 1 Dec 2018 11:07:10 +1100, James
wrote:

On 1/12/18 2:57 am, wrote:
On Friday, November 30, 2018 at 4:55:08 AM UTC-8, Tanguy Ortolo
wrote:
Hello all,

A couple of months have passed since I switched to wax for chain
lubrication. I would estimate I rode about 3,000 kilometers with
my chain (cleaning it and lubricating it four times, I think), a
point at which I usually start measuring at least some elongation.

In this case, I cannot measure any. 10 links span 254 mm ± .3 mm,
so that is less than 1 ‰ of elongation. My chain is a good as new.
As an additional bonus, my entire drivetrain has never been that
clean!

Unfortunately, when I switched to chain waxing, I also changed
from Shimano chains to a KMC 9.73 one, so I cannot assert that
waxing is good for chain wear, only that either it is, or KMC
chains are very resistant, or both.

Anyway, now I think I will soon be at the point where I will have
to replace my cassette that is starting to be a bit worn, without
changing the chain that is still as good as new!

-- Tanguy


My experience has been that chain waxes give you a far cleaner chain
for a long time and the chain is usually quiet but the wear is fairly
fast. And it leaves that impenetrable black muck on the cassette and
chain rings which is very difficult to remove.

Rock and Roll Gold appears to me to work the best as long as you
follow the directions completely - including the leaving it dry
overnight.

KMC chains - the upper level ones like the Silver and Gold - wear
very well but are significantly heavier.


My experience has been that chain lube made from a mix of wax and oil
(about 50/50, solid at room temperature) and applied as a hot bath
(liquid), gives you a cleaner chain for a long time and the chain runs
quiet and the wear rate is fairly low.

And it leaves minimal muck on the drive components, that is easy to remove.

As I can make my lubricant from a few paraffin candles and some gear
oil, it is very cheap indeed, and you only use what sticks to the chain
when you remove the chain from the hot lubricant.

KMC chains are better or worse? You decide
https://www.cantitoeroad.com/assets/images/products/docs/connex_by_wippermann/Chainwear_Test_10_Speed_10-JUN-2010.pdf


I've been using a mix of paraffin and a light grease containing
Molybdenum disulfide. I added a bit of bee's wax thinking it might
make the mixture a bit more pliable but I'm not sure that is
necessary.

As paraffin is soluble in benzene I suppose that one could brew up a
liquid batch, with benzene, and squirt it on with an oil can but
dunking the chain in an electrical pot full of paraffin seems so much
easier :-)

The other nice thing is that a pot full lasts for years. One doesn't
have to worry about running short and much cheaper then the
proprietary blends too :-)

cheers,

John B.


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