This is a very important caveat. I was wondering about how it could do that.

So, what's the process if I am intended to wax a used dirty chain that has never been waxed ? Thanks in advance

here is another scenario: I put on a new chain some miles ago, but it hasn't had to be lubed yet. Is it new enough to use the Strip Chip or should I go with the Super Secret chain stripper first?

@@gleejb I have done that with a couple chains on test bikes now, yeah - done a couple rides with the factory grease and then dumped the chain in there.

Can I buy the system from you?

We named her Mabel. Cheers!

A few minutes, agitate, and repeat until clear in simple gasoline is way cheaper and efficient

it doesn't actually get it off, it allows it to gel and harden like wax would

Exactly.

I think you’ll find that “great journalism” and “sponsorship” is a contradiction.

My model is this: I have sponsors peripheral to the bikes and gear that I review - helmets, clothes, maintenance, nutrition, tools, shoes - and I do not review products in those categories. I list those sponsors in every video description - Silca is one of them - and when they have new stuff I'll talk about it. Support from these sponsors then allows me to freely cover and review bikes and gear without taking money. Please ask questions if you have any about this model or other models at various bike magazines or websites. I'm happy to yammer on at length about this as it's important!

Yeah, I didn’t reply to Harry because it felt like a troll trap. However, since you replied, I think understanding the bike journalism space in terms of layoffs and AI generated content, etc., that good journalists are out there trying to pay the rent and stay influence free in their reporting (e.g., escape collective). While I agree that “sponsorship” equates to a conflict of interest, as things stand right now, I will go on the “best evidence” in terms of choosing who to trust. Going out on your own like you are Ben with the ride indicates a certain integrity that justifies accepting that to get this free content, sponsors are needed to pay the bills. I hope your channel is successful and honestly that people get behind small, independent journalism. Without people power, we can expect bicycle repeated info to be complete crap-which the Ride is not.

@@michaellambert2821 why did you think it was a troll trap? FWIW I was a journalist for more than 30 years. I even worked for a while for a cycling magazine. I’m a big fan of Ben’s content. He’s head and shoulders above most cycling KZfaqrs but there are risks when you’re dealing with blatant snake oil salesmen like Silca. It’s no coincidence that Silca is doing deals with so many “cycling influencers”. Silca sell grossly overpriced products and need gullible people to buy them. The most cost effective way to do this is through sponsorship.

I'll certainly be using it and talking it about it more. For the best info, I'd suggest checking on the text and videos on Silca's site. To be clear, Silca is one of my sponsors this year. So, just like with Castelli clothing and First Endurance nutrition products, etc, I won't be testing Silca product head-to-head with competitors like I do with bikes and wheels and tires and gear. That's just a conflict of interest. Hope that makes sense!

They're the same

The strip chip displaces the factory grease and converts it to a form of grease that's compatible with the wax. They're saying the process is called oleogelation. They're also saying each chip will convert two factory chains.

I don't really have a problem with the regular old stripping/cleaning process so I probably won't bother.@@robertwhyte3435

One chip is for stripping the oil based lube off of one chain. You can use 6 chips to strip 6 chain before the wax is too contaminated to continue using as I understand. If you are just relaxing an already waxed chain you don't use a chip you just put it in the wax.

@@graemehill but how many times can you use the same wax with one chain? Before you need to put fresh wax in the pot

@@faultlinegravel not sure what their recommendation is but as long as you don't put really dirty chains in there you probably just keep using it indefinitely and add more wax as needed. My strategy is to go until there's hardly any wax left in the pot and then start over with clean wax. It's been over a year and still on my first batch of wax from a single silca wax packet.

Lol

Good tip

I take mine to the dry cleaner. Works great

I drape the chain around my neck in the shower. Never had a problem. ;)

Mabel and Olive videos are masterpieces.

Buy a wax pot for $20 on Amazon and I have been using the same wax for the last couple of years.

Why over complicate a simple task at a significant cost. Surely one’ wife has a old wax burner around, purchase a block of wax for pennies (if that obsessed with performance also purchase some PTFE Powder -that will last years) and have yourself a fully functional set up at a fraction of the cost. Stripping new chains is as simple as using gasoline. Clean them in between waxing with simple green.

"The system is $100, wax $40 and stripper $24, so it's a bit of an investment, " BINGO! Here's your cigar! Josh isn't dumb, long ago he figured out how many pumps, tool sets, etc. he could sell and realized the limits, especially when the stuff is excellent quality (unless it's stolen you'll be handing it down to your grandchildren) so CONSUMABLES are the answer if you want to stay in business. What escapes me is the time/effort/expense used by Joe/Jill Crankarm to extend the life of a component that's destined to wear-out, is easily replaced and relatively cheap - new 12 speed chains are what, $50 via online merchants? Perhaps people just like to play around in their garage? I'd rather be riding so "old school" oil's just fine with me. Chains getting close to 1/2 worn-out simply get replaced. Cogs/chainrings seem to last forever. KMC digital chain-checker and pair of quick-link pliers are all I need.

@@larryt.atcycleitalia5786 Every single one of you guys who are not into waxed chains knew exactly what this video was about and still watched and commented. If waxing is not for you great but those of us that do don’t care what you think. We decided a long time ago that it makes sense for us and this is just another option for us to consider. Have a great day.

Guilty as charged. I watched to see how deep into the cult Ben would go and please notice my comment was on a comment someone else made about the expense involved. I'm familiar with long-time wax-cult members, a few of whom burned down their shop or garage with this voodoo practice. Wax whatever you want (chain, legs, mustache, bikini area, etc.) but be careful!@@pandatactical4530

I don't know but I will ask.

Back in stock now.

Mabel it is!

They aren’t removed but a process called Oleogelation converts the grease to a much harder, wax like substance. This substance looks very similar to paraffin and therefor doesn’t need to be removed.

StripChip is for new, factory-greased chains.

Thank you for the detailed reply.@@travisverhoff8120

I read Josh from Silca comment that you can use the 6 strip chips per 500g bag of wax. so as long as you don't need to strip more chains, you can use that wax indefinitely.

Done.

We named her Mabel, and Silca is helping pay for her food and mine. 😀

Thanks for clarifying! I should have said that chain was on a new bike. Dang it.

Yes Big Ben you should have 😢😞

Hehe. We went with Mabel. Maaaaaay-bellllll!

@TheRidewithBenDelaney I have Bear, Bella, Caster, Geronimo and an Opal. You will be good. 💜

Sponsors are how I make a living, and are what allow me to do honest reviews on bikes and gear. I don't review or pretend to review the sponsored product, but I will tell you about new stuff from them - and of course disclose where the money is coming from in every single video. How do you make a living?

I don't care about that. I care about having my hands clean when I'm on a ride and not deap with oil and degreaseing

The cost of riding 10000 km using traditional lubes vs. the cost of riding them using a high quality wax is almost literally an order of magnitude higher. At least in the parts of the world that actually have seasons. Going through 3 to 4 Record , Ekar or Dura-ace cassettes plus chains a year isn't exactly the kind of past-time I find enjoyable. Also clean hands are nice.

Absolutely NOT ridiculous! Get your head out of the sand! The performance and maintenance gains are definitely a plus but the zero grease, dirt and grime are a game changer! Yea that tubeless thing will never catch on either!

A waxed chain is faster.

Your step 1 for a chain already on the bike wouldn’t use a strip chip. That is only for new chains and factory grease.

Mabel it is!

Done.