Bicycle Mechanics - Wax lube - Just keep piling it on?

One mechanic told me that with Wax lube, the contaminated stuff just flakes off. After a pretty nasty spill in the mud today, I figured the chain would be pretty filthy, but it wasn't bad at all. Apparently, the mud dried, and flaked off with the Wax.

So, do I really just add more to the chain and cables every so often? No need to completely clean the chain off every time? Seems a little too simple, and I don't know how new the mech was (I usually deal with the general manager at my LBS, who's a great mechanic and a great salesman - he wasn't around, though)

One mechanic told me that with Wax lube, the contaminated stuff just flakes off. After a pretty nasty spill in the mud today, I figured the chain would be pretty filthy, but it wasn't bad at all. Apparently, the mud dried, and flaked off with the Wax.

So, do I really just add more to the chain and cables every so often? No need to completely clean the chain off every time? Seems a little too simple, and I don't know how new the mech was (I usually deal with the general manager at my LBS, who's a great mechanic and a great salesman - he wasn't around, though)

Please clean it off regularly. I've seen buildups so bad the derailleur pulleys wouldn't turn!:eek:

That was the answer I was expecting. The usual citrus de-greaser routine, I suspect?

That's what I use. The good thing is that it helps keep the dirt out of the kinks vs a wet lube which dirt tends to stick to.

Yah, I understand the advantage of it, especially this time of year for a commuter bike. I just thought that the "other" advantage of only having to clean your chain quarterly (his words) seemed a bit fishy.

Yah, I understand the advantage of it, especially this time of year for a commuter bike. I just thought that the "other" advantage of only having to clean your chain quarterly (his words) seemed a bit fishy.

If he rides about once a week, maybe quarterly would be fine. I ride every day, and add some wax lube to the chain once or twice a week. If it rains while riding, I clean the chain and relube it. I clean it by wiping down with a cotton cloth if it's not too dirty, and relube. But about once every 4 to 6 weeks, I take the chain off the bike, clean it in kerosene, hang it up to dry, put it back on the bike, and relube it. I have not tried the citrus degreaser for cleaning chains.

During application, I wipe off the excess on each section of chain before I rotate the crank to a new chain section. That eliminates build up. The intent is to lube the internals of the chain and not the outside surfaces. I rarely clean mine except for wiping with a rag. However, after a mud bath it's likely necessary.

Al

Please clean it off regularly. I've seen buildups so bad the derailleur pulleys wouldn't turn!:eek:

I've been using the stuff on bikes since White Lightning was introduced and have never seen any kind of buildup anywhere on the drivetrain. I don't know what your customers are doing but they must be doing something for that kind of deposit. I'd suspect they are using way too much.

ax0n: Use the stuff sparingly (which you should do with all lubricants on a chain anyway). The instructions say to apply it until the chain is completely wet and to wipe off the excess. That works very well. Also, I only apply it when my chain starts to chirp (like a little bird not a pterodactyl :D ) and I follow the directions. I seldom clean the chain (only when new) and my chains don't show excessive wear.

During application, I wipe off the excess on each section of chain before I rotate the crank to a new chain section. That eliminates build up. The intent is to lube the internals of the chain and not the outside surfaces. I rarely clean mine except for wiping with a rag. However, after a mud bath it's likely necessary.

Al

I've found that after a muddy ride (rare in Colorado ;) ) or a rainy ride (ever rarer :D ), all I have to do is wash the chain (mud) and relube or just relube (rain). I've even toured in places with lots of rain and all I did was relube the chain. If ax0n uses citrus degreaser, he has to rinse with water anyway. The dirt doesn't stick to the wax that well so why not just skip a step and wash with water and then relube?

I've put to much on (got lazy and just sprayed the chain while spinning the cranks) and after a little while I had a dirty waxy buildup on the cogs that was affecting shifting.

Now I use White Lightning sparringly, relube at least once a week, and wash with a chain washer every couple of weeks. Every month or tow I will remove the casette ad soak it in degreaser. I clean the chain on the bike, but will start rmeoving and soaking it as well.