Chain Waxing

Yeah, I was kind of put off when I first saw the process on youtube and saw that black stuff. I'm very happy with pure paraffin immersion even if it means I have to do it weekly at the moment because of the rain.

I mostly only waxed chains for cleanliness compared to oils so.. fuck that.

Molybdenum probably. Used in robotics as a lubricant, not good for the environment.

I'm pleased you mention this because I have been in a spiral of doubt about my waxing ability because after a few wet rides it feels like I need to re-wax when I thought wax was supposed to last forever: ok, can see I might have been slightly optimistic!

not good for the environment

^{[citation needed]}

Molybdenum disulphide is a layered solid lubricant with better lubricity than graphite.

Probably insufficient but https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1521/ML15212A086.pdf

Probably insufficient

Yes, because that's all about bioavailable molybdenum, usually in the form of molybdates. The solid lubricant molybdenum (IV) sulphide is quite stable, and insoluble in water, making it hard for the molybdenum to have any biological interaction. Oxidation of fine powder does occur in ambient air, forming bioavailable Mo(V,VI) species, but also necessarily inorganic sulphate which mitigates the potential harm.

If I have to choose something to lose off my chain into the environment, I'll take MoS₂ over micro-divided PTFE any day.

I haven't got the energy to read the whole thread, so can anyone recommend a wax regime for a lazy person who doesn't compete?

Buy a new chain and a big bottle of Squirt, degrease the chain, apply the squirt. Reapply squirt according to use.

Seconded, this is my approach, works well. Reminder that for waxed chains, boiling water is an effective "degreaser"

Degreaser

Hot pot + wax, repeat

Finally got another slow cooker...as I'm not paying for one...now I can't my wax. So cheapest source of wax.

Are you starting with all new chain and sprockets?

With a freshly submersion waxed chain, what is the approved post 2h sloppy-mud ride protocol?

Wash and keep riding for usual distance interval before rewaxing? Or full submersion if the ride gets messy?

I'd probably hot water rinse it and re-wax, but depends how much time you have and how squeaky it is.

I washed it with an hot flannel and did one more sloppy ride. Was ok. Basically slop rides halve the distance before rewaxing. YMMV

yup. bad, though, when the sloppy ones come back to back

Would anyone like a slow cooker for one to use for chain waxing? Doesn't come with a lid but the ceramic pot is intact. The outer has seen better days and the controller at the front is loose...so save enough to use in a garage with me watching

OK, getting on to this after putting it off for a few years. Have read quite a bit of the thread and the bikeradar article but head is spinning now.

Have ordered slow cooker, but how big an u/s cleaner do I need to take an 11-42 cassette? (I know I could work it out from looking at all the dimensions, but roughly - does it need to be say 3l , 4l or will 2l do?)

Small ones are ridiculously cheap (<£10) now so may just get one of those for chains if cassette needs a massive one.

You might want to check zero friction cycling
I've followed their instructions with success and they don't recommend U/S cleaning.

Another here who wouldn't recommend ultrasonic cleaning. Seems like unnecessary cost and faff to me.

I like it because you can just throw the stuff in, hit go, do something else. No wanking off jars to worry your neighbours either.

Hate to say it, but the Silca chain cleaner is actually magic. Cleans factory grease off in five minutes, one dip. Not magic, it just does what you’ve paid it to do.

Have you compared it with CeramicSpeed's cleaner?