I. Why Wax Your Chain?

Waxing your bike chain has major advantages over traditional lubes:

• Longer lifespan: Waxed chains wear out slower, saving your chain, cassette, and chainrings.
• Better efficiency: Wax reduces friction and improves power transfer.
• Less mess: Wax doesn't attract dirt—your drivetrain stays way cleaner than with oil.
• Smoother ride: A waxed chain runs noticeably quieter.
• Low maintenance: Less grime = less cleaning, less re-lubing.

Old chain coated in road grit vs. freshly waxed chain

II. What You'll Need

Grab these supplies:

• Solvents: White spirit (or mineral spirits) and isopropyl alcohol
• Containers: Two old glass jars with lids (mason jars work great)
• Wax: Hot-melt wax (like Silca Super Secret) or drip wax (e.g., Squirt Lube)
• Heating setup: Slow cooker or a pot for hot waxing
• Drying hook/wire: To hang the chain
• Coffee filter: For reusing solvent
• Misc: Rags, rubber gloves, (optional: safety glasses & mask)
• Pro tip: Grill thermometer to monitor wax temp

III. Step-by-Step Guide

1. Prep Work

a) Get Your Chain Ready

New or used—every chain must be fully degreased before waxing.

• New chains come with factory grease (easy to clean).
• Used chains need extra effort to strip old lube.

b) Deep Cleaning

1. Soak the chain in white spirit for 30–60 mins (fully submerged).
   • Shake occasionally to loosen stubborn gunk.
2. Drain, let it drip-dry, then wipe with a lint-free cloth.
3. Repeat in a second jar of fresh solvent (another 30–60 mins).
4. (Optional) Final rinse in isopropyl alcohol to remove residue.
5. Let the chain dry completely (overnight is best).

Materials: solvents, glass jar, gloves

2. Three Waxing Methods

a. Hot Wax Multiple Chains & Rotate

Best for frequent/long-distance riders.

• Prep multiple cleaned chains (Pro tip: YBN quick links from AliExpress last longer than Shimano's.)
• Melt wax in a slow cooker (90–95°C / 195–205°F).
• Submerge each chain for 15–20 mins, moving occasionally. Hang to dry.
• Ride one chain until it's done, then swap to the next.

Chain submerged in melted wax

Pros:

• Longest lifespan (1,000+ km / 600+ miles)
• Peak performance, minimal wear
• Ultra-clean drivetrain

Cons:

• High upfront effort
• Requires multiple chains + slow cooker (Hack: Use a pot with a water bath instead.)

Note: Elias swears by this for max speed and cleanliness.

Hanging to let excess wax drip off

b. Drip Wax (Easiest Method)

For low-effort riders.

• Leave the cleaned chain on the bike.
• Apply drip wax to the inner rollers (lightly!).
• Let it soak in, wipe off excess.
• After rides: quick wipe (20–30 sec) with a microfiber cloth.

Pros:

• Fast, no tools needed
• Cleaner than oil

Cons:

• Shorter lifespan (100–200 km / 60–120 miles)
• Needs frequent reapplication

Tip: Great for quick fixes or on-the-go riders.

c. Hot Wax + Drip Wax Touch-Ups

The smart hybrid.

• Start with hot waxing (Method A).
• When performance drops, refresh with drip wax.
• Extends time between hot wax sessions.

Pros:

• High efficiency + easy upkeep
• Stays cleaner for longer

Cons:

• Still requires hot wax setup
• Needs occasional drip wax top-ups

Note: Ole's go-to—balances performance and convenience.

IV. Final Verdict & Pro Tips

🚀 Why chain waxing will change your riding:

Wax beats oil - no question. Whether you're on a road bike, gravel rig or city cruiser:

✅ More fun: Smoother, quieter drivetrain = better ride quality
✅ More time: Less cleaning, more riding
✅ Save money: Chains and cassettes last up to 3x longer

Waxed chain mounted on Cervélo S5 after 900 km

V. Method Comparison

VI. Pro Tips & Verdict

• Beginner hack: Start with drip wax—no chain removal needed.
• Filter & reuse solvent with a coffee filter.
• Wet-weather tip: Rewax every 50 km in rain or mud.
• Chain rotation: Three chains in rotation → ~5,000 km carefree riding.

Verdict:
Wax outperforms oil in lifespan, cleanliness, and efficiency. Riders doing > 100 km/month will see a quick ROI. Casual riders can stick with wet lubes, but wax is the upgrade your drivetrain craves. 😎

Worth it if you ride 100km/month+. For casual riders, a good wet lube (e.g., Smoove) works fine.

🔥 Our advice: Just try it! Your first waxed chain feels like a free upgrade. Convinced? Welcome to the club! 😎