DrAlexHarrison wrote:
Amazing site and resource. I've at least become convinced that waxing might be a bit easier than I thought, if I can set it up systematically. Biggest concern is time-cost.
Goals for once it's up and running: Efficiency from a human time input perspective. I will use it to upkeep the chains on all 6 of our bikes. Probably a rotation of 12+ chains. I can manage systems! Just need some help to get the system in place.
Money isn't no object but it's less of a concern than user time input for sure.
Waxing is easy. Completely stripping the current/factory lube off your chain isn't - in fact it's a major hassle, but at least it's a one-off hassle. I agree with the suggestion of buying a pre-stripped/optimized chain, and just avoiding this hassle. I got mine from Adam at ZFC, but others have provided alternative links.
The most time consuming thing about waxing it the time it takes for the slow cooker to heat up (mine takes about an hour). But that isn't MY time - I'll turn it on, then go do other things for that hour. Given this heat-up time, it makes sense to run 2-3 chains in rotation, then wax them all at once. With multiple bikes, you will probably want to label them clearly as to which chain goes with which bike. But as a systems guy, it sounds like you have this covered. Personally, I hang my chains for the wax to cool down/harden. One goes back on the bike, the other hangs there until rotated onto the bike. I am seeing a long rack with carefully labelled hooks in your future.
In terms of cost, the lower wear rates on not just chains, but cassettes, and chainrings as well, make waxing a financial no-brainer. I mean, have you seen the price of Campy or SRAM AXS cassettes recently?