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I've just replaced my first chain after 4 months, so was very impressed.
Can you share more about your riding habits: mileage, previous chain cleaning and maintenance regime?
Eseman-
Yeah absolutely. I've got 4 bikes and because I had a bit more time over lockdown, I decided to experiment with waxed chains. Because of the weather and the pandemic, I haven't ridden 2 of the 4 bikes since November.
I've done approximately 400 km of outdoor riding on my winter bike. That chain currently looks fine and isn't squeaking. The only thing I've done to that bike all winter is if it was a wet ride, splashed on a bit of clean water at the end of the ride to get rid of any grit or dirt sitting on the chain.
The chain I've replaced so far was the one on my bike that sits on the turbo trainer. I average about 6 hours per week on the turbo, but that obviously doesn't have to deal with any water or corrosion, but potentially just the odd bit of sweat.
I'm intrigued to see how things change as I start to ride outside more in spring.
Previously I would use Muc-Off dry or wet lube on my chains per the conditions, and would clean it off and replace pretty much every time I washed my bike, so every couple of weeks in the summer. Plus if the chain ever looked yucky or squeaked I'd give it a clean.
hazzelfrazzel
I'll also jump in to defend chain waxing for every day bikes. This is my first winter running waxed chains, and I have found it incredible. I have no intentions of going back.
I've not done the most outdoor rides of any winter ever due to pandemic and temperature, but I've done some very wet rides on gritted and salted roads without similar issues. I've just replaced my first chain after 4 months, so was very impressed.
I've only used KMC and SRAM chains, so maybe the chain is the difference? Was the chain brand new or had it been used previously without wax?
Can you tell us more about the products and process you used? For me I've used the molten wax mix applied from a slow cooker. Cleaned with white spirit in a jar, and then methylated spirits as the final clean. That's on a mix of new and used KMC and SRAM chains.