Switched to wax-based chain lube and my drivetrain is silent now

I got tired of my chain picking up grime after every wet ride, so I tried a wax blend last month. First 50 miles were fine, but after a dusty gravel ride it started squeaking again. Anyone else find wax only works if you keep the bike indoors?

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2 Comments

kim_sanchez193mo ago

Yeah I had the exact same problem at first. What finally worked for me was switching to a drip wax that you apply wet then let dry into a hard coating. I still reapply after every really dirty ride but it lasts way longer than the old stuff and doesn't squeak unless I totally neglect it for weeks. The trick is you gotta degrease the chain completely first or the old oil messes with the wax bonding. I use a cheap ultrasonic cleaner off Amazon and it made a huge difference for like 40 bucks.

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the_jade3mo ago

First 50 miles were fine" is the story of my life with wax lube, honestly. Works great until reality shows up (or in your case, dust and gravel). Might as well just pick a side - either clean the bike after every ride or embrace the grime.

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