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Written by Tevis on 2025-01-03 at 12:28

Hey, #biketooter, is there a way to lube my chain without using PFAS or switching to wax?

And if I must switch to wax, how much time and money has it cost you? Is it practical for my daily commuter?

[#]cycling

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Descendants

Written by Kettwachsler on 2025-01-03 at 12:32

@Tevis

Time: 10min per month

Money: 3,99€ since Summer 2021, cause i'm using Ikea tea lights

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Written by Tevis on 2025-01-03 at 12:42

@phpmacher Thanks!

Do you wax multiple chains at a time? Slow cooker or plastic bag method? How often do you have to clean your drivetrain?

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Written by Kettwachsler on 2025-01-03 at 12:51

@Tevis I only re-wax when the chain becomes noticeable. In summer (dust) this is usually after about 500-600 km and in winter (rain, mud, sand) after about 200-300 km.

If I ride in wet conditions, I wipe the chain dry/clean with a cloth afterwards.

I have tried several chains, but then get confused in handling. But it wouldn't be a problem.

I heat the wax in an old pot on the stove. Lowest setting.

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Written by Paul Southworth on 2025-01-03 at 12:33

@Tevis Silca has published some information about PFAS and their products...

https://silca.cc/blogs/silca/silca-commits-to-being-pfas-free

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Written by Tevis on 2025-01-03 at 12:41

@pws Thanks! I suppose I can try their wet lube until it's time to replace my drivetrain.

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Written by onedayfishsale on 2025-01-03 at 13:13

@Tevis there are (or were) alternatives out there, though I don't have personal experience. Guitar Ted reviewed at least one of them.

https://g-tedproductions.blogspot.com/2022/03/guitar-ted-lube-off-ecosheep-lube.html

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Written by isol on 2025-01-03 at 13:29

@Tevis

I made my own chain wax using tealight candles and some graphite powder from the hardware store.

Cleanliness and longevity are vastly improved.

If nothing else, seeing how much metal shavings comes out of a brand new chain, while cleaning before waxing, means I'll always clean a chain thoroughly before installing it, regardless of the lubrication regime.

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Written by fibre 🐿 on 2025-01-03 at 13:40

@Tevis wait, does normal chain oil contain PFAS?

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Written by Tevis on 2025-01-03 at 13:50

@knittingsquirrel Most brands, yes!

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Written by fibre 🐿 on 2025-01-03 at 15:01

@Tevis ugh! 😬

i need to check mine.

i only remember last time i bought new lubricant oil the bike shop tried to talk me into some other kind of lubrication (maybe powder or some white liquid, i don't remember) and i declined because the writing on the bottle specified how toxic it was for the environment. 😬

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Written by Tevis on 2025-01-03 at 16:37

@knittingsquirrel Annoying! I find it's always helpful to emphasize to new bike mechanics that my use case is commuting, and I don't care about improved performance.

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Written by Sam D on 2025-01-03 at 13:53

@Tevis a lot of bike shops are set up to do it for you. There’s an up front cost of course, but if you compare it to a couple bottles of chain lube it is often a no brainer.

For a commuter I think it would be more convenient, once you’ve switched. The wax is hydrophobic so it keeps water and grime off better than other treatments. It won’t need reapplication over and over like normal chain lube.

It reminds me a lot of switching to tubeless tires. I don’t know that I’d say to someone who would need to buy brand new rims and tires to go tubeless “yeah dude, scrap these good parts and pay all this money to switch because it’s a lot more convenient”, but if all you needed to do is, like, tape the rims, buy the valve stems and pour the sealant in, then yes absolutely, big improvement for quality of life. Same here. I vote for wax.

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Written by Tevis on 2025-01-03 at 16:45

@spaceraser Funny, I've been pretty resistant to going tubeless. I have a 38C Marathon in front that hasn't had a puncture in years, and my 32C rear tire has held 9 months without issue. Maybe if I wear out the rims.

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Written by Eskil Jakobsson on 2025-01-03 at 13:55

@Tevis wax is great or quite ok depending on conditions. I commute about 180 km weekly in just about all conditions and chain wear has plummeted since starting wax. but you basically will need to combine hot wax and drip wax and be serious about drying the chain after wet rides. Silca synergetic is worth considering if not waxing , I believe its using tungsten rather than pfas. Expensive but little wear, works ok during winter. If you find a good solution let me know!

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Written by Tevis on 2025-01-03 at 16:38

@likse Thanks for the rec! I will definitely post an update, whatever I decide.

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Written by evn on 2025-01-03 at 15:40

@Tevis I like Whistler Performance Lubricants, which is PTFE free. I'm not sure about other PFASs. They claim to be biologically based and biodegradable. It might be worth reaching out to them for details. https://wplbike.com/collections/lubricate/products/dry-bike-lube

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Written by Tevis on 2025-01-03 at 16:36

@evn Thanks for the rec! Will definitely check them out.

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Written by Priceless Planet on 2025-01-03 at 17:08

@Tevis There's https://www.green-oil.net/ who claims to have some.

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Written by Tevis on 2025-01-03 at 17:42

@PrPl Thanks!

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Written by szpon on 2025-01-04 at 08:28

@Tevis there are also wax lubes you could apply just like regular lubes (meaning from the bottle), so there's no difference, but your chain should stay cleaner. They might be a bit more pricer, though

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Written by Tevis on 2025-01-04 at 12:04

@szpon Yeah, I've seen those around, thanks! I'm thinking I'll spend the time between now and the end of my current drivetrain slowly gathering the tools I need for the transition to wax--chain pliers, a slow cooker, some dedicated workspace, etc.

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