Why Wax Your Bike Chain? Cleaner, Faster, and Longer-Lasting than Traditional Drip Lubes

Why Wax Your Bicycle Chain?

Your chain is the heart of your bike’s drivetrain. Waxing it instead of using traditional oil lubricants is one of the most effective ways to improve performance, reduce maintenance and make your expensive drivetrain parts last longer. Here’s why riders are making the switch — and how Boulder Nordic & Cycle Sport can help.

1. A Cleaner Drivetrain

Wax repels dirt and debris instead of attracting it. Say goodbye to greasy chainrings and black-streaked legs.

2. Longer Component Life

A cleaner chain means less wear on your cassette, chainrings, and pulleys, saving you money on replacements. With the expense of modern components, this is a significant benefit.

3. More Efficient Pedaling

Independent tests show waxed chains reduce friction, giving you a smoother ride and free power (as much as 8 watts over drip lubes) — perfect for training and vital for racing.

4. Reliable in All Conditions

From wet spring rides to dusty summer trails, waxed chains hold up in every season with minimal upkeep.

Chain Clean + Wax – $85

• Full deep drivetrain clean

• Molten Silca Speed Wax treatment for your current chain

• Reinstall and adjust shifting

New Chain Wax + Install - $45

• Remove factory grease and wax a new chain (yours or purchased in-store)
  OR
  Re-wax a previously waxed chain.

• Install and fine-tune for peak performance.

Durability of a waxed chain will depend on conditions. Wet or dusty conditions (generally MTB & Gravel) will reduce the time between waxings to maintain optimal performance (200-310 miles/300-500km). Dry road conditions will go a bit longer (up to 500 miles/800km).

You can use a wax-based bottle application to extend the time between hot waxings. Check out the Silca Super Secret Chain Lube.

If you're racing, we recommend having a race chain and a training chain. Testing shows that having a clean chain and drivetrain provides a pretty dramatic power benefit, so if you're racing, it's a no brainer to have a racing chain that you keep in top shape and use less than the training chain. For non-racers, it may also make sense to buy an extra chain to swap out while the other chain is being re-waxed.

Bring your bike in today and ride out with a drivetrain that stays cleaner, lasts longer, feels smoother, and is noticeably more efficient.

Call 303.444.BIKE (2453) to schedule your service or visit us at our Boulder shops.