Originally Posted by
Polaris OBark
The real (non-hyperbole) reason I am asking is that I just got a new mountain bike with a12-speed GX Eagle transmission drive train, and I want it to last a long time. Waxing my chain on my gravel bike has greatly extended my cassette (and chains) lifetime. Given the price-tag of this SRAM stuff, and how I already heard and felt grinding after my first couple of rides, I decided to try wax on this one too. It got me wondering why this hasn't caught on with mountain bikers so much. Is it just because the drivetrain gets wet or muddy more easily, or is it bad for 12-speed drivetrains, or is it just custom?
If you like waxing your chain, then do so. Although my quip might have seemed sarcastic, I essentially meant that perhaps the majority of the MTN bikers you see just don't choose to wax their chains. And since your term sublime also can have the meaning of exalted, then that's why I chose "worship".
I only road bike, but even then I don't see the need to wax other than for the clean looks it gives to any that follow on your wheel. I don't feel it gives any materially longer life to the chain that for me and possibly others isn't more trouble over the life of the chain than just replacing them and the cassettes or rings when it's time. I've over 6000 miles on a 11 speed chain that still shows being no where close to replacement.. There might be other reasons than waxing your chain that you also started doing about the same time that gave you a longer chain life than before.