If you are not familiar with cycling, you might be wondering what I mean by a waxed chain. Is it a body hair removal method? An item of jewellery worn by cyclists? Let me explain…
Chain waxing is actually a process by which a bike’s drive-chain is optimised for performance by reducing friction. The process involves putting the chain through several stages of deep cleaning, before coating it in a thin film of paraffin wax and dusting it in low friction powder.
A chain is arguably the hardest working component on a bike with an average 40,000 link articulations a minute. However, it’s often overlooked by cyclists and triathletes when upgrading their bike components in the quest for more speed.
Why is a waxed chain the best upgrade for your bike?
It will make you faster!
Since I first started cycling, I’ve had it drummed into me that a clean bike is a fast bike. It makes sense that keeping your bike and all its components clean helps everything to run smoother and more efficiently. A waxed chain reduces friction and helps to propel you fowards and faster!
A waxed chain from NRG Chains saves 1-1.5% of your total power output, typically 3-5 watts for most riders. Help yourself and save those watts!
It saves money in the long term!
The bike’s chain is exposed to the elements and often gets clogged with dirt, grit and oil, which is then transferred onto the cassette, derailleur and jockey wheels. This contamination adds to the wear and tear on the components and shortens their lifespan meaning they will need to be replaced sooner.
A chain that has been treated with wax prolongs the life of every component as it repels grime and stays clean, ultimately saving money in the long term.
Waxed chains are not just for racing or elite level athletes, they are suitable for any bike even if it’s just used for leisure riding. If you’ve spent money on a bike, it makes sense to maintain it properly and prolong the life of your components. Plus you don’t get that greasy mark on your leg!
Waxing your own chain at home is a time-consuming and costly process, but you can buy a pre-treated chain which is simple to fit and ready to ride. For all your waxed chain needs, check out NRG Chains and use discount code PPP10 to save £10.
The wax and powder chain coating lasts for around 450 miles, after which the chain will need rewaxing to maintain its peak performance. You can return your chain to NRG to be rewaxed.
For full transparency, NRG Chains was co-founded by my husband and a friend, so I’m obviously a big fan of their product, but I’ve not been paid for this post.