Immersive waxing.
It's the best thing.
- It so drastically reduces drive train friction across the duration of the application that it saves watts compared to other methods.
- It minimises chain, cassette and chain ring wear and costs so little per application that it offers a significant return on investment.
- It is easy and requires less work than any other method when defined as 'total time spent minding the chain or drivetrain'.
- The wax is as hard and dry as a candle and leaves the entire bike clean to handle, always.
- Two or more chains in rotation provide convenience, even for wet weather, and further increase drivetrain lifespans.
So then, you go faster, save money, save time, have no mess, and are always ready to go.
There we have benefits for all the boy racers, retrogrouches, MAMILs, show offs, and compulsive riders.
Some people assume the set up is difficult or expensive to purchase, but it is not.
Other people think oil or toxic solvent based lubes work better, but they are still asleep.
Few people think the wax emulsion drips they use are the same thing, but they are not.
Many people think it is more time consuming than what they are used to, but it is the opposite.
So what's going on?
Shops not wanting to sell fewer bottles of gunky lube and replacement drivetrain components I understand, but among people interested enough to sign up to a cycling forum, this should be so popular.
Let's talk about it.
For me, I've always been a little lazy when it comes to doing anything but riding. Living here in SoCal I'm always faced with the choice ride or maintain? I'd typically choose ride. 20 or so years ago when I read the Leonard Zinn article about waxing in Velo news I felt "I don't have the time to do that".
Fast forward a few months ago I came across OzCycling on Youtube. On his videos I saw the practical reasons for waxing and in fact how easy it was. So I jumped in. This process is so easy and is effortless.
I have my paraffin, PTFE mix puc in the crock pot. When I want to wax I follow this process.
1. Turn on the pot. Then I go off. You don't need to stare at the pot while the wax melts.
I exercise and go for a ride
When I get back the wax mix has melted.
2. I turn off the pot.
3. Heat a kettle of hot water.
4. Take off the chain put it in a colander and pour the hot water over the chain.
5. Throw the chain in the wax, swish for 30 seconds. Come back in 5 minutes or so swish again and pull it out.
6. Let the chain hang for a minute or two.
7. Loosen the links and install.
The total time that I'm actually involved in the process is 5-10 minutes.
I agree. It should be more popular.