Originally Posted by
ThermionicScott
No offense, it would be nice if there was more concrete evidence for the mileage rather than "they must last longer than oiled chains, look at how dirty they get!" The guy on EcoVelo is estimating as well, and lives in about the perfect environment to use waxed chains.
The solvent-and-oil process needn't be as messy as most people make it, either -- the thing is to wipe the chain thoroughly after oiling, then wipe it periodically to remove the oil that works its way out. I'll succumb and try waxing a chain someday, but I'll probably use a greater proportion of beeswax and throw in a little grease for better lubrication when I do.
What's the perfect environment for waxed chains? On Guam it rains just about everyday during the wet season--I get soaked twice a week usually. Under these extremely harsh conditions, I wax a little more often. If I was using oil I can't imagine all the road grime getting inside the cassette and chain... horrible mess to deal with on rainy days.
I dip my water soaked chain in hot wax and it comes out good as new.
Your other comment about adding grease to the wax--I think that would defeat the grime repelling properties of using pure paraffin.