thanks for all that, and the solvent based stuff like White Lightning seems to me as the most useful. Ive looked into it here and there are even 1 L bottles of it available, a lot more expensive here than in the States, but would seem like a great buy long term.
I would try out a small bottle of it first though.
And yes, the wig out factor is curious I reckon , but it perhaps should always be taken into consideration when traveling by large tube with thousands of gallons of similar fluid in the long stubby things on either side.
Interesting your take on both the chain sound, shift characteristics and especially your example of close to 800kms since last application. I guess in good riding conditions, ie not rain, Ive gone similar distances while on tour before relubing with Tri-Flow (which I have liked for its compromise of being thin, but oily just enough to last better in bad rainy conditions)
This chain has been in use since April 2023. The bike is my kind of go to bike for riding around town but I do have a number of bikes to choose from which is why it has taken 2 years to get to around 1600 miles (2500 km). This is also a bike that doesn’t see a lot of bad weather riding. I haven’t had it out in rain in ages.
My touring bike, on the other hand, has endured many days of rain while on tour. I do reapply after rain but I would do that with an oil as well.
dumb question-- do you and STR use the dip your chains in melted wax thing at first, regularly, or just after X miles or kilometers?
thanks
Although the factory lube is okay, I have found that it gets black and gunky if I don’t remove it first even with drip wax. I strip all my chains with mineral spirits (aka Stoddard solvent or naphtha) before I use drip wax. It just makes everything cleaner in the end. That stripping isn’t anywhere near a stringent as you’ll find people doing on-line. I put the chain in a wide mouthed Gatorade bottle, shake it for about 30 seconds or until my arm gets tired (whichever is less) and let it dry. No need for anything more elaborate than that. I have seen people suggest up to 10 step cleanings that are just a waste of time and completely unnecessary. Once the chain goes on, I flood it with the solvent wax and let it stand until the mineral spirits evaporates. Additionally, once the chain goes on it doesn’t come off for any cleaning. I take the chain off when it wears out or if I have to do some kind of maintenance that requires it but I don’t need to do anything else.
I don’t do melt wax because it is fiddly. I can’t be bothered with all the taking the chain off, waxing it, putting it back on, rinse and repeat. I could not imagine doing multiple chains per bike as I have 12 of my own, 5 for my wife, and, currently 2 for my daughter in Tucson. At just 2 chains each, that would require keeping track of 38 chains to keep track of. No thanks.