It’s unattainable to speak about chain lub with out somebody mentioning chain waxing. Zero Friction Biking will let you know that most sizzling soften waxes are one of the best at stopping put on, however they’re additionally extra concerned to use. There’s the precise waxing half which normally requires a option to warmth up the wax, after which there’s the cleansing half the place it’s important to utterly strip a brand new chain of its manufacturing facility lubricant.
The brand new Silca StripChip and Final Chain Wax System claims to nearly utterly get rid of that cleansing half. How? As a substitute of cleansing the manufacturing facility chain in a separate step, you merely drop a StripChip into the pot of wax and the method of oleogelation does the remainder.
In line with Silca, “Whereas growing Chain Stripper, Silca CEO Josh Poertner fell down a chemistry revolution occurring within the meals business often known as oleogelation. This new idea developed to interchange hydrogenation for meals oils, for well being advantages, additionally confirmed promise at changing lubrication oils into solids. This easy chemistry takes base oils which might usually act as solvents within waxes and converts them into binders that join and lengthen wax molecule chains. Only a few minutes on the proper temperature and oils and greases contained in the manufacturing facility lubed chain, convert into extremely lubricious, lengthy chain wax/lubricant molecules proper within your sizzling wax. Merely drop one sq. of StripChip into your sizzling soften wax, let it soften, then drop in your new manufacturing facility chain and let it work its oleogelation magic.”
The one catch is that the StripChip wants a better temperature than typical waxing (125ºC to 75ºC), which is the place the brand new Silca Final Chain Wax System is available in. Calling it the “first bicycle chain optimized, temperature adjustable wax system (75-125ºC / 167-257ºF)”, the machine has a 600ml pot, chain hanging coupler, and a drip stand.
When used with the StripChip, you merely add 400g of wax with one sq. of StripChip, and set the temp to 125ºC and also you’re performed. The StripChip will work with Crockpots and On the spot Pots, although Silca says they should be rigorously monitored for temperature, stating ” the usual Crockpot Low is 90-110ºC, which is under the oleogelation temperature, and commonplace Crockpot Excessive is 150-160ºC which is true on the over-temperature level of the oloeogelator and dangers long run harm to the wax. If utilizing the product with a double boiler, Crockpot, or On the spot Pot, we advocate utilizing a thermometer and thoroughly making certain that the wax by no means exceeds 130ºC.” Additionally, observe that this course of is for brand spanking new factory-lubricated chains solely. Silca doesn’t advocate utilizing StripChip on used chains that weren’t initially waxed.
Obtainable now, the StripChip sells for $24 for a brick of 6 chips. One chip is used for 400g of wax, and the wax nonetheless within the pot is reusable for future waxings, so 6 chips ought to final you some time.
The Chain Waxing System is offered for $99 and solely contains the wax hotter pot, drip stand, and cable coupler. It doesn’t embrace any wax or the StripChip.
