So I got the wax starter pack for my Roubaix. I used the stripper on the chain (I made sure to keep it off brakes and away from bearings). I did 2 rounds and it cleaned it well. I made sure to microfiber after each and I let the bike dry after I hosed it off. I also applied it to the gears, lightly.
So now I am applying the drip wax. I put it on heavy and went through each gear to spread the wax. I cannot help but feel this looks completely wrong. Will it cure and be proper? Totally wrong?
This is my first time doing this, obviously. I do have a chain tool coming but it wont be here until next week and my chain was squeaking now.
by sexyprimes511172329
12 Comments
Yes, that’s why the say to apply it the night before or at least a couple of hours.
It’s basically wax suspended in water and some other stuff and that water will evaporate.
Yes it will. I make a bit of a mess too. No matter how long I shake the bottle it never seems to be as thick as the videos I’ve seen using it .
You need to let it dry for a while, I think Silca recommends at least 12 hours. It dries a to a translucent dark gray when I apply it.
It looks like you used a bit too much, the chain doesn’t need wax on the outside for example.
Put the rear cassette in the biggest sprocket and the chainring on the biggest ring. This will stretch your chain slightly to allow for penetration of the wax on the rollers.
Use the wax dripper, one drop on each link, just before the chain link is about to go onto the rear cassette. If you have a quick link that will be the easiest guide to when you’ve done a full application, otherwise it’s pretty easy to tell with the goo.
Then once you’ve done the full chain once with one drop on each link, you’re done. Let it dry fully and then you’re away.
Yeah, good to go dry time depends a lot on conditions. It wont stay quite as clean as hot wax, and even hot wax gets dirty if your whole drivetrain isn’t completely degreased. It’s compatible if you take the plunge into hot waxing. I use it when I can’t make time to hot wax before a ride.
I find it still lubes okay in a pinch even with minimal to zero drying. It will attract dirt and need reapplying much sooner though.
Looks fine. Too much wax isn’t much of an issue as it’ll just fall off eventually (and unlike oil it doesn’t attract dirt). Just let it dry and enjoy the switch.
why did you spread it to every gear before cleaning the chain off? that just created like 10x the amount of cleaning you have to do now lol
Gotta say, super jealous of 105 in silver & 3x.
You’re supposed to only put it on top of the chain, then run the chain backwards several times to work the wax into the links. Capillary action will suck the wax into the links the correct amount, and keep a mess from forming on the gears, except for the derailleur’s jockey wheels.
Once the wax is worked in you can wipe the excess off the chain and jockey wheels. Let the wax cure overnight, or longer. The longer the better.
It should take about 15 minutes of riding for the wax to soften up, not that it should be noticeably stiff before riding. When done riding, dry wipe the chain off, and if you wipe the chain off every ride it should stay in good enough condition without getting gross, and should help avoiding needing to deep clean the chain.
You don’t need to wax or oil “the gears”, only the chain.
Once you’ve covered the chain with a very light application, you must leave it to dry for 4-12 hours. The first time your ride, lots of excess wax will flake off.
It’s just going to collect road grime with this. Just use standard chain/gear lube/oil.