Switched to Paraffin Wax and...
#51
Full Member
My chain, cog, chain ring and tension pulleys do not look clean at all but they make no noise, do not get grease on anything and it seems the grease lubes not just the inside of the chain rollers but also the cog and chain ring which is why it seems quiet. When it gets noisy I re-wax. Chains which are waxed seem easier to push pins in and out of as well.
#52
Full Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 440
Bikes: Mezzo I4, Trek 1200, Rudge (Montague) BiFrame, Bickerton
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
That is right Jur, noise is usually the first indication that the wax has come off. I also noticed that as the wax wore away, changing gear became problematic. Visually, surface rust forms all over the chain and small patches of wax can bee seen the outermost plates of the links, presumably because the outside edges of the chain are rarely in contact with anything. I suspect, but dont know for certain, that with reducing temperatures, the wax become more brittle and has tendency to flake or is reduced to a powder by the action of the rotating chain. I might return to 100% paraffin wax in the summer to determine if higher temperatures and drier conditions make a difference.
#53
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Albany, WA
Posts: 7,393
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 321 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
I swapped my Ti Swift chain today; I think some links were squeaking a bit when passing through the derailer pulleys. I got 432km.
I am basically swapping all bikes over to wax. Bromptons also done, Moultons next. The cleanliness is great. I am so sick and tired of black chain rubbish.
I am basically swapping all bikes over to wax. Bromptons also done, Moultons next. The cleanliness is great. I am so sick and tired of black chain rubbish.
#54
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Albany, WA
Posts: 7,393
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 321 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
That is right Jur, noise is usually the first indication that the wax has come off. I also noticed that as the wax wore away, changing gear became problematic. Visually, surface rust forms all over the chain and small patches of wax can bee seen the outermost plates of the links, presumably because the outside edges of the chain are rarely in contact with anything. I suspect, but dont know for certain, that with reducing temperatures, the wax become more brittle and has tendency to flake or is reduced to a powder by the action of the rotating chain. I might return to 100% paraffin wax in the summer to determine if higher temperatures and drier conditions make a difference.
#55
Full Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 440
Bikes: Mezzo I4, Trek 1200, Rudge (Montague) BiFrame, Bickerton
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I see paraffin liquid is available here. The description says it is basically identical to wax but a lower melting temperature. Perhaps mixing in a bit of this stuff will keep the wax more flexible at low temperature. OTOH it might wreck the cleanliness. At least Melbourne winters are not super cold. But they tend to be wet.
#56
Full Member
You could considering adding some automotive grease. Teflon and graphite lube help too, but the grease allows the waxy mixture to adhere to the chain. Recently rode one of my bikes through a lot (20 miles)of slush and snowy slop which put a lot of grit on the chain. When I wiped the bike down with some slightly soapy water, I wiped the chain also, and the grit all came off since it was on the outside of the chain. The wax did not let any of the schmutz inside the chain. Good as new.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
liv_rong
Mountain Biking
8
03-28-12 09:28 PM
liv_rong
Singlespeed & Fixed Gear
29
03-28-12 09:19 PM