Waxed Chains Are Best Choice (Until They’re Not) | Unbound Gravel Prep | TPC

Waxed chains give riders improved efficiency, greater cleanliness, and reduced wear. Waxes like @SILCAVelo Secret and Super Secret are the perfect chain lubes for long and dusty races like Unbound Gravel. But what if we have another year of heinous mud? Well, Bruce has a contingency plan. He explains how he started chain waxing the easy way, and what lube he plans to use if rain and mud decide to ruin the party.
To shop Tools, Waxes, Lubes, and More click the link below.
www.theproscloset.com/collect...
To shop Gravel bikes, click the link below.
www.theproscloset.com/collect...
Find Bruce’s $15 Elite Gourmet Slow Cooker HERE: www.amazon.com/Elite-Gourmet-...
All Things Unbound:
www.theproscloset.com/pages/u...
Get $50 off your order of $200+ with code: 2024UNBOUND50
Follow Bruce’s training: / strava
Get Bruce’s newsletter: bit.ly/theprosclosetemailsignup
Subscribe: @theproscloset
Check out the digs: bit.ly/theproscloset_
Flex those ride stats: / strava
Hop in our DM’s: / theproscloset
0:00 Wet lubes last the longest
1:15 Wax is the best for performance
1:58 It saves you money too!
2:49 The math checks out
3:24 The EASY way to prep a chain for wax
5:43 A $15 crockpot gets the job done
6:37 The drip option is pretty good too
7:13 How long does wax last?
7:49 The BIGGEST downside of wax
8:24 How does it do in rain and mud?
9:01 The 2024 Unbound lube plan
9:45 The best drip lube option

[@jojobeancurtis]

Nice intro to waxing, thanks

[@stephenitano8806]

Why not just bring a pre-waxed spare chain to Unbound instead of rewaxing?

[@Hintonbro.]

Apparently the wax only lasts for 24 hrs

[@omarcabrera1517]

Let also be aware that quick links should just be used once due to safety reasons

[@zbeekerm]

I started unbound with a waxed chain last year, and then topped up with synergetic at the aid stations. It worked pretty well. Different waxes perform differently in the wet though. Rex Black Diamond (11 + 1 formulation) or mspeedwax (new formula) look like they may be the best bet for unbound, because they both have lower wear/friction/contamination after the wet contamination block of testing on zfc, and are top 3 in the torture test. Super secret does the best in the torture test so that may be a good option too, especially if there's any chance of rain/mud.

[@mgrant6607]

I used wax for SBT GRVL 142 miler and it worked well in those dry conditions, though I added some wax at 100 mile stop. For mud, probably a wet lube (what I use for mtbs)

[@geoleo2597]

Is there any advantage to using a slow cooker versus just using a stove top pot?

[@renifeer]

A secret that every wax company hate, but now you can also be a part of this secret society:
Juce Lubes Viking...

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

It's not a secret that wet lube are more efficient (at holding up inside the rollers) in a really muddy and wet environment. I live in Tremblant QC Canada it's muddy in between season I just put parrafin oil (20%) in my parrafin mix it holds up really well when it's wet.
*I must add it attracts contamination but less than most oil based lubes, in the cold weather I have another mix with a tad of swix ski wax in the mix 😂

[@matthogan4905]

Let me guess, Rock n Roll dry lube? LOL I've never had it last more than 50 miles before sounding terrible

[@Ichtyosapiens]

Wow, a 12 minute ad you can watch voluntary!

[@helloitssean]

It only lasts 200-300 miles? I’ll stick to Wolftooth’s lube 😮

[@phreadi]

silca's rec: hot wax every 5000-10,000 miles (I think). the liquid wax is to lube chain with every 100-150 miles (let dry before riding) to top off wax as it gradually wears away. chains run so much more quiet with wax I don't ever see using oil lubes again.

[@almeder3260]

Dry lube is not a waxed chain