this post was submitted on 29 Sep 2025
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Most of the tips here make sense. I'll add on that hot waxing your chain if you have the option works well for where I live, and makes everyday cleanup much easier. A waxed chain picks up a lot less shit on it each ride since there's nothing to stick to, and you just lightly spray off then dry it with a towel to keep it clean. Not for everyone and every locality though, works for me in New England.
I looked into wax after a friend switched to it, but I'm not sure it makes sense for me, time-wise. I've put 2,650 miles on this bike in less than two years. He advised doing it every 200 miles, which would be a lot of rewaxings...
That said, I do like the idea of wax over grease a lot.
I've started using this one, which claims to last at least 500km and up to 1000km on a single waxing: https://ceramicspeed.com/en-eu/pages/ufo-ultra-endurance-wax
You just rotate chains. The time to wax one chain is 95% of the time to wax three chains. If you're riding hundreds of miles a month, maybe you keep five chains in rotation. It then turns into a once every couple month process during the riding season. The cool thing is that it also makes your other drive train components last longer.
Oh, and no black muck when you touch the chain on accident is another great benefit.
You can buy pre-waxed chains these days. If you switch to waxed, you have to also be sure to completely degrease the cassette, chain rings and derailleurs.