With wildfire smoke keeping many riders indoors, it’s a perfect time to dive into bike maintenance. You might have heard whispers about hot waxing your bike chain, especially if you’re familiar with road cycling enthusiasts known for their meticulous bike care. But is hot waxing a Mountain Bike Chain truly beneficial, or just another fussy ritual? Having used drip wax lubes for years, and always seeking optimal performance and cleanliness, I decided to explore the world of hot wax and see if it elevates the mountain bike chain maintenance game.
For a long time, I’ve been a devoted user of Squirt wax lube, appreciating its cleanliness and effectiveness compared to traditional oil-based lubricants. Knowing how well drip wax works, the question naturally arose: could hot wax be even better for my mountain bike chain? Plus, being stuck indoors due to poor air quality seemed like the ideal opportunity to experiment with this potentially superior lubrication method.
The primary drawback often cited with hot wax is the perceived complexity and time investment in the setup process. However, considering my existing appreciation for drip-on wax, and understanding that proper chain preparation – which includes thorough degreasing of a new chain – is crucial for any wax-based lubricant to perform optimally, the extra effort for hot waxing seemed justifiable.
My hot waxing setup is intentionally simple: food-grade paraffin wax sourced from a local hardware store combined with an inexpensive slow cooker purchased online. I’m not chasing marginal gains or aiming for ultimate efficiency with additives like PTFE (Teflon). My objective is straightforward: to achieve long-lasting mountain bike chain lubrication that minimizes mess and ensures smooth, quiet drivetrain operation.
Hot Wax and Wet Weather Mountain Biking: An Update
Quick Verdict: Hot wax excels in dry conditions, providing exceptional longevity. However, its performance diminishes significantly in wet environments. Despite this, I still believe hot waxing new mountain bike chains is a worthwhile practice.
Detailed Observations: In dry conditions, hot wax lubrication on a mountain bike chain proves remarkably durable. However, just one muddy or waterlogged ride can effectively wash it away. In comparison, I typically get about two rides from a drip wax like Squirt in similar wet conditions. This makes hot wax seem less practical if wet riding is a frequent occurrence.
On my Norco Search gravel bike, which has seen over 500 miles of road and trainer use, the hot waxed chain is still performing admirably. While it has encountered some damp conditions, fenders have largely shielded the chain from direct water spray.
One significant advantage of hot wax, particularly for mountain bikers in persistently wet climates, is its rust-inhibiting properties. This is especially relevant for regions with extended periods of rain and moisture. Hot wax also serves as an excellent base layer for drip-on wax lubes like Squirt. Applying drip wax over a hot waxed chain can extend the intervals between re-lubrication and enhance overall performance.
To maximize the benefits of any wax-based mountain bike chain lube, whether hot wax or drip applied, removing the factory oil from a new chain is essential. This initial deep cleaning is arguably the most labor-intensive step in the hot waxing process. Therefore, my current approach is to thoroughly clean and hot wax all new mountain bike chains. Subsequently, when the chain begins to sound dry, I revert to my reliable drip wax, Squirt, for top-up lubrication.
Having now used hot wax on my mountain bike throughout a summer season, I can confidently attest to its effectiveness. It prevents the accumulation of dust and grit, resulting in a noticeably quieter drivetrain.
For me, the drawbacks of oil-based mountain bike chain lubes—messiness, attracting abrasive grit, and arguably inferior performance compared to wax options like Squirt—make them a less desirable choice. The remaining question is whether to re-apply hot wax to my mountain bike chain routinely, or limit hot waxing to new chains as part of the initial setup.
Spring Update: Mountain Bike Chain Setup Tips Post Hot Wax
My road bike chain, hot waxed months prior, finally began to squeak after an impressive 900 miles encompassing hilly road rides (650 miles) and indoor trainer sessions (250 miles). This mileage included rides on damp roads where fenders minimized chain exposure to moisture. This longevity is truly remarkable and highlights the durability of hot wax for road bike chains.
Recently, when installing a new mountain bike chain and SRAM X01 Eagle derailleur, I encountered shifting issues initially. It turned out the freshly hot waxed mountain bike chain was laterally too stiff. This stiffness mimicked symptoms of incorrect derailleur indexing, leading to frustrating troubleshooting.
After a brief five-minute ride around the block, the shifting miraculously smoothed out and became perfect. A crucial tip for anyone using hot wax on their mountain bike chain: pedal the bike for a short period after installation to allow the wax to flex and settle before making fine adjustments to your shifting.
My experience has solidified my preference for hot wax, especially for dry conditions. However, for wet weather mountain biking, I find reapplying hot wax less practical. In those conditions, I’ll continue to use Squirt drip-on wax until drier weather returns.
