Chain waxing kit

[DieselnDust]

40 minutes ago, dexterdent said:

I use Silca Secret Wax and OrangeSeal. I'm completely converted to the immersion waxing methodology, mostly because it feels like way LESS hassle than cleaning chains all the time (I recently had a trip with a hired bicycle and had to go back to drip lube - no thanks). A local source of premium hotwax will be awesome - I'll buy some soon. Would it be a waste to mix the EnduroWax with the last bit of Silca I have left?

Regarding sealant - I tried EnduroSeal before on my road bike and found it extremely lacking beyond like 3 bar. Recently also had issues on my gravel bike where it just would not seal a very small hole beyond 1.5 bar. In both cases Orangeseal sorted it pretty much permanently. Based on what I'm reading here, I think I might just have gotten a dud batch (or kept it too long) and I will try again.

There is a Enduro Seal race that works better with higher road bike pressure. I use it in both Road and MTB with very reliable results

[love2fly]

4 hours ago, sboschnoob said:

Question: What pot do you guys use for melting the wax?
Does that generic small nail wax unit on takalot work or is it too small or does not go high enough in temperature?

I bought a cheap one for under R150 on Takealot. Works fine.

[love2fly]

2 hours ago, DieselnDust said:

There is a Enduro Seal race that works better with higher road bike pressure. I use it in both Road and MTB with very reliable results

I've been using the STD Enduro Seal in my roadbike (using tubes) at 7 bar and seldom get punctures. Gator skin tyres.

Touching 🪵 

[Alastair_S1D]

There is nothing better than hot melt wax. 

 

My evidence. 

On road bike. I used squirt and Smoove for years. And I still do on the training bike where it doesn't hurt too much to replace a chain or a cassette. However I'll use my race bikes as an example. 

 

HG701 chain on Smoove squirt. Average chain lasts 7000KM to 0.5% wear (the limit for 11speed chains) and my best chain did 10K km before I hit 0.5%. 

Let's stretch that out over the life of a drivetrain. 3 chains per cassette gets you 21000km out of a cassette. Which should equate to a little over 60K kms for your chainrings. 

 

HG701 using a Combination of hot melt and Silca super secret drip. I'm over 12K km on the chain and I am still WELL below 0.5%. Assuming I replace the chain at 15K km 

That's 3 chains per cassette = 45K km per cassette and 135K km out of your chain rings. Damn that wax near as damn pays for itself with regards to replacement bits. 

 

 

And immersion waxing really isn't all that difficult if you have a system. And the Sica ecosystem makes it a whole lot easier. 

 

I do a hot wax every 3 drip lube intervals. 

 

A drip lube interval is between 300-400km of riding. 

 

Include the wax dip lasting 400km before needing a spot of SS drip. (most I've gotten out of a dip is 500km but I was REALLY stretching it) 

 

That means I can go 1600km between wax dips. 

 

So having a wax compatible drip lube like SS drip (squirt and smoke are not actually compatible as they are not really waxes.) will stretch your dipping intervals out. It's great. 

 

Can highly recommend Enduro, M speed wax or Sulca wax. Stay away from Absolute Crap's I mean Absolute Black's graphine wax though. That's top tier garbage. 

 

 

Edited June 19, 2025 by Alastair_S1D

[Dexter-morgan]

MS01 – Friction Worx

Try this, I have used their "optimized" chains and can recommend them.

[W@nted]

Just some further feedback on the Silca drip on wax (Supersecret). I have now done almost 300km since the last application, drivetrain is still quiet. I am really surprised at how well this is working. I was using Smoove for many years, buth this is just much better for me in terms of duration between application and cleanliness. 

I did no emersion hot wax, just stripped clean a brand new chain and started with the drip on wax. To me it provides the benefits of hot waxing without the effort. 

I just run a microfibre cloth under hot water for a few seconds and then wipe the chain clean before applying fresh drip on wax. So convenient. 

[sboschnoob]

I am giving  Enduro Wax a shot on on my new setup.

I used a double pot to melt the wax.

I am recording my rides, so hopefully I will remember to report back here some time.

[Zebra]

I can think that in a major centre - say CT, & JHB - there MIGHT be an opportunity for a savvy youngster to wax chains as a side-business - a BIT like taking your dry cleaning to the dry cleaners - have a chain ON the bike, and say at least one more that 'goes in' to the youngster for a wax treatment (Chain Day Spa, Pty Ltd!) - you collect it when you get a gap since you are in no rush with a waxed chain already ON the bike: then rotate as necessary, rinse & repeat!

• Youngster does a bit of VOLUME of chains, makes some money...
• Rider is saved fuss/mess, and even set-up costs, etc.
• Could be an affordable win-win?!

Chris

[Kyle_Hanger]

I am actually considering starting something like that, I am based in JHB. I could work through a courier, say PUDO for example. What would be set up costs? I understand a wax pot would be needed and then products for chain cleaning and stripping. What is expected turn around times?

[cadenceblur]

26 minutes ago, Kyle_Hanger said:

I am actually considering starting something like that, I am based in JHB. I could work through a courier, say PUDO for example. What would be set up costs? I understand a wax pot would be needed and then products for chain cleaning and stripping. What is expected turn around times?

Perhaps consider an ultrasonic cleaner. Especially for first time cleaning . 
 

[ChrisF]

4 hours ago, Zebra said:

I can think that in a major centre - say CT, & JHB - there MIGHT be an opportunity for a savvy youngster to wax chains as a side-business - a BIT like taking your dry cleaning to the dry cleaners - have a chain ON the bike, and say at least one more that 'goes in' to the youngster for a wax treatment (Chain Day Spa, Pty Ltd!) - you collect it when you get a gap since you are in no rush with a waxed chain already ON the bike: then rotate as necessary, rinse & repeat!

• Youngster does a bit of VOLUME of chains, makes some money...
• Rider is saved fuss/mess, and even set-up costs, etc.
• Could be an affordable win-win?!

Chris

 

Youngster you say ....

 

How about a semi retired gent that traverse the curtain every day ..... 👍

[Zebra]

@ChrisF even better, that COULD work!
 

Attach a teeny metal tag, with customers INITIALS scratched on it, attached to wire hanger for submersion, etc. Average customer to have 3 chains; a waxed chain ON the bike, 2nd waxed chain IN their garage, awaiting fitment, and 3rd chain ‘in for waxing’.

As customer DROPS off a chain removed and now needing (re) waxing, he COLLECTS the stored, ready, waxed chain.
 

Killing 2 mossies with een skoot!

Wonder if i can FRANCHISE the idea? Else open a CHAIN of these stores? 😂
 

 

[ChrisF]

1 hour ago, Zebra said:

@ChrisF even better, that COULD work!
 

Attach a teeny metal tag, with customers INITIALS scratched on it, attached to wire hanger for submersion, etc. Average customer to have 3 chains; a waxed chain ON the bike, 2nd waxed chain IN their garage, awaiting fitment, and 3rd chain ‘in for waxing’.

As customer DROPS off a chain removed and now needing (re) waxing, he COLLECTS the stored, ready, waxed chain.
 

Killing 2 mossies with een skoot!

Wonder if i can FRANCHISE the idea? Else open a CHAIN of these stores? 😂
 

 

 

Best be clear in your adds .... can already see the hype of adventure bikes with waxed chains  ....

[MTB SA]

 

[love2fly]

On 6/23/2025 at 3:06 PM, Zebra said:

I can think that in a major centre - say CT, & JHB - there MIGHT be an opportunity for a savvy youngster to wax chains as a side-business - a BIT like taking your dry cleaning to the dry cleaners - have a chain ON the bike, and say at least one more that 'goes in' to the youngster for a wax treatment (Chain Day Spa, Pty Ltd!) - you collect it when you get a gap since you are in no rush with a waxed chain already ON the bike: then rotate as necessary, rinse & repeat!

• Youngster does a bit of VOLUME of chains, makes some money...
• Rider is saved fuss/mess, and even set-up costs, etc.
• Could be an affordable win-win?!

Chris

Not wanting to rain on anyone's parade but cleaning and waxing a chain is so easy it's less hassle than booking the Pudo, getting in my car and doing the 10km return trip to drop off and collect a chain. 

Maybe it's just me.

[The Ouzo]

53 minutes ago, love2fly said:

Not wanting to rain on anyone's parade but cleaning and waxing a chain is so easy it's less hassle than booking the Pudo, getting in my car and doing the 10km return trip to drop off and collect a chain. 

Maybe it's just me.

there are people that take their bikes to the LBS for a wash and lube, so definitely a market for this