Chain Oil vs. Chain Wax

[TheStudent]

When i got my bike a few weeks ago the previous owner handed me a tin of chain wax that he called chain oil? Is it the same thing?

Thanks.

[hovis]

no........... oil is oil & wax is errrrrr wax

i dont like the wax, i prefure chain lube

[G]

Pretty much....all does the same thing. I use PJ1 its clear and super sticky, you get no fling at all

[Ceri JC]

You can use it to lubricate the chain. Personally, I don't really like the stuff as most brands tend to fling and if they get on your tyre, they take much longer than oil to come off. I'd always use a scottoiler, but that's just personal preference and based on doing reasonably high miles. If you're going to use chain wax, the best combination (according to a bike maintenance DVD I saw) is supposed to be to give the chain a good clean, coat it in old engine oil, then apply chain wax over the top, to keep the oil in place.

[andy]

Tried wax on both my SV and my bicycles - nice and clean but does bugger all lubrication - dont bother with wax IMHO.

[kwak zzr]

i use pj1 clear lube, wax looks messy.

[I'm_a_Newbie]

So far I have always used spray on chain oils. I was fed up with cleaning up the fling. The rear wheel would never stay clean. I have just spent ages cleaning up the bike after removing the swing arm. What a mess it was under there!

To try and stop the fling, I have started using Techflow Ceramic from Motrax. This is an off white wax looking lube that flows at first and then sets. It claims it will out last other chain lubes and does not form a grinding paste like oil and gel types.

So far so good. No fling at all. Doesn't look too bad. Might help if they cloured it gold or silver.

Tim.

[sinbad]

I use a castrol spray wax which is whitish when cold but seems to become clear when warm. Waxes seem too thick to do much at first, but if you apply one to a really warm chain, you see it working.
I think they're all basically good enough, I used Wurth dry lube spray before and it was great. I think it's more important to keep the chain clean so whichever lubricant you use has a fighting chance to work properly.

[rob13]

I have used Wurth in the past and its a great dry chain lube. Now have a Scotty which if you want to keep the back wheel clean, the chain dries out. To keep it lubed, you have to suffer a filthy back wheel

[Sid Squid]

Now have a Scotty which if you want to keep the back wheel clean, the chain dries out. To keep it lubed, you have to suffer a filthy back wheel

If you find this then either:

A) Your settings are wrong.

B) Your appreciation of much oil there should be on the chain is incorrect.

C) Your oiler is incorrectly fitted.

[plowsie]

Well once i eventualy get it fitted i'll have a scottoiler, i use spray lube atm. From what i have heard, wax is the good stuff.

[glade]

I use Wurth dry chain wax.

Its a spray, so is very fluid as it is applied, then when the solvent evaporates it leaves a waxy residue. Used it for 6 months and the chain was always bright and clean. Never needed significant adjustment.

When the can ran out I bought Motrax Gold chain wax. I thought it was "gold standard" but it was actually a thick gold coloured wax. Now the can has run out I have cleaned my chain and inside the chain cover (which took ages) and underneath the wax and dirt that had stuck to the wax, the chain was rusty!! Also the chain has needed much more adjustment recently.

I used engine oil for a while, but the wurth wax is much better.

[rob13]

If you find this then either:

A) Your settings are wrong.

B) Your appreciation of much oil there should be on the chain is incorrect.

C) Your oiler is incorrectly fitted.

Sid
A) i have tried a number of settings - many have witnessed my "orange chain" and have commented on it. I have experimented with getting the right amount of oil on it.

B) See A, I now no longer have an Orange chain however get fling onto the rear wheel

C) Scotty is correctly fitted as it works (as in it dispenses consistently and there are no bubbles forming in the tube) It is a single sided dispenser.

[skint]

Forget this competition and fit a Scottoiler. 4000 miles on my Daytona didn't have to adjust the chain once. Now fitted to both gixers. Ok a bit of splash on the back wheel, but I used to get that with spray lube anyway. 8)

[dizzyblonde]

I prefer wax on the black. Im indoors put some disgusting oil on it the other day and I found it took me ages to get it off my polished rims. Put the wax on after a good run and it sizzles onto the chain and reduces the fling even further than cold. Plus any that does get on the rims i can't see it cause its white

[SV225]

I used wax - once. Don't know why but I just didn't like it. Think I've got Silkolene lube at the min, it's a big yellow can and was cheapish (think it has % extra free on the can and the shop had a discount on)

[markmoto]

castrol chain was for me all the way, they have now changed the formula and its not white and gooey anymore, dont get much fling but then your going to get some fling off all lubricants due to the speed of the chain just dont put to much on.

[hovis]

Well once i eventualy get it fitted i'll have a scottoiler, i use spray lube atm. From what i have heard, wax is the good stuff.

still not done it?

pop down

[plowsie]

still not done it?

pop down
I'll be your wayish in September for the rideout Baph is doing, haven't got the balls or the time either lol

[Steve_God]

...If you're going to use chain wax, the best combination (according to a bike maintenance DVD I saw) is supposed to be to give the chain a good clean, coat it in old engine oil, then apply chain wax over the top, to keep the oil in place.
I do a similar technique to this, although with Chain Lube first, followed by a layer of chain wax to keep it in place. It's worked wonders for me! :)