How It Works?

The Case for Chain Waxing:

Chain waxing offers compelling advantages for cyclists across all disciplines, including urban commuters, competitive road cyclists, and off-road enthusiasts such as gravel and mountain bike riders. From both economic and performance perspectives, the benefits of chain waxing are substantial and widely applicable.

Primarily, waxing significantly extends the service life of drivetrain components—by as much as a factor of ten—thereby reducing long-term maintenance costs and the frequency of part replacement. A properly waxed chain can achieve an exceptional lifespan of approximately 16,000 to 25,000 kilometers, depending on riding conditions and maintenance practices. This longevity is largely attributed to the wax’s ability to repel contaminants and minimize abrasive wear, a feature particularly beneficial under the demanding conditions of gravel and mountain biking.

In terms of performance, waxed chains exhibit considerably lower friction compared to traditional drip lubricants. This reduction in drivetrain resistance can result in power savings of up to 10 watts, a meaningful gain for performance-focused cyclists. Additionally, the consistency of a waxed drivetrain can contribute to smoother power transfer and improved pedaling efficiency.

Wax also offers a distinct advantage in terms of cleanliness. Unlike conventional lubricants that attract dust and grime, wax forms a dry, solid coating on both the internal and external surfaces of the chain. This helps maintain a cleaner drivetrain, reducing the need for frequent cleaning and contributing to overall mechanical efficiency.

For those interested in the underlying scientific mechanisms and performance data supporting chain waxing, further reading is available [here].

Understanding the Chain Waxing Subscription Model

The Decawatts Chain Waxing Subscription is designed to democratize the performance and longevity benefits of chain waxing by making it accessible to cyclists of all disciplines and experience levels—without the need for time-consuming maintenance.

Traditionally, hot wax treatment involves removing the chain from the bicycle and immersing it in melted wax to ensure optimal lubrication and cleanliness. While highly effective, this process is labor-intensive and impractical for many riders to perform regularly. Recent developments in wax-based drip lubricants have simplified interim maintenance by allowing cyclists to apply lubrication directly onto a pre-waxed chain. These lubricants can extend performance for an additional 200 kilometers between applications. Reapplication is straightforward: once the drivetrain begins to sound dry, riders need only apply a fresh layer, wait approximately 30 minutes to cure, and resume riding. Further instructions can be found at the bottom of this page. 

However, this convenience does not eliminate the need for periodic chain "resetting" to preserve the long-term benefits of hot melt waxing. Over time, wax-based drip lubricants accumulate contaminants that degrade performance and increase wear. Restoring the chain to optimal condition requires a comprehensive multi-step process: the chain must be removed, flushed with multiple rounds of boiling water, treated with a wax-specific degreaser, rinsed thoroughly, dried completely, and finally re-waxed using hot melt wax. While essential to maintaining the exceptional longevity of a waxed drivetrain, this procedure presents a significant barrier for most cyclists.

The Decawatts subscription service addresses this challenge by offloading the entire process to experienced technicians. Subscribers simply remove their chain(s), affix a prepaid shipping label to the provided return package, and drop it off at any Canada Post mailbox or shipping center. Chains are serviced monthly, ensuring they are professionally cleaned, decontaminated, and re-waxed according to best practices. Shipping is included in every subscription tier, and the process requires no technical knowledge or mechanical skill—making it an accessible, maintenance-free solution for all riders.

This model offers a practical solution for cyclists seeking to maximize drivetrain efficiency, cleanliness, and longevity—without investing time or specialized effort.

Cost Structure and Subscription Options

To begin utilizing the Decawatts chain waxing service, customers are required to purchase a Starter Bundle, which includes two to three pre-waxed chains and all necessary initial supplies. Two bundle options are available, tailored to different riding disciplines:

• Road Bundle: from $209.99 to $379.99
• Off-Road Bundle: from $289.99 to $529.99

The final cost within each range depends on the selected chain model and wax formulation. Incorporating multiple chains into your maintenance routine allows for efficient rotation and significantly extends the lifespan of drivetrain components.

Once you add a bundle to your cart, we’ll automatically recommend the ideal monthly subscription plan for you—based on your riding volume and preferred wax type. The available tiers are:

*Additional details about each bundle are available on their corresponding product pages.

Important Note: 

To streamline the process and eliminate guesswork, the wax type used on your Starter Bundle chain will automatically match the wax specified in your subscription plan. This ensures a seamless and consistent experience from the outset.

For example, if you select a Silca-tier subscription—whether for road or off-road use—your Starter Bundle will be prepared with chains treated exclusively in Silca hot melt wax. The same automatic pairing applies to Molten-tier subscriptions. This ensures complete compatibility between your maintenance cycle and lubrication protocol, preserving peak efficiency and minimizing wear over time.

If at any point after your first month you wish to switch to a different wax type, you may do so by updating your selection within the subscription settings. The corresponding chain treatment will be adjusted accordingly in future servicing to reflect your new preference.

Selecting the Appropriate Subscription Plan

Choose the Starter Bundle that aligns with your riding style and estimated monthly mileage. If you ride multiple bicycles or plan to use a single Starter Bundle across several bikes—switching the chain or chains between them—please provide us with comprehensive details about each bike, your cycling habits, and frequency of use. This will enable us to offer personalized recommendations for the most suitable subscription plan and bundle, including volume discounts where applicable.

It is important that the bikes involved have similar chainstay lengths and gearing configurations to ensure consistent shifting performance when transferring chains between them.

Maintaining Your Chain Between Professional Cleanings

Proper maintenance of your chain between professional cleanings is straightforward and essential for preventing rust and minimizing drivetrain wear. The critical factor is understanding the optimal timing for reapplying wax-based lubricant.

A general guideline is to reapply the lubricant every 200 kilometers or immediately following any ride in wet conditions. If the chain begins to produce audible signs of dryness, it is advisable to apply the lubricant sooner to maintain optimal performance.

The method of reapplication is the same regardless of whether you're using Molten or Silca wax. Silca SS Drip is included with the Silca subscription tier, while Tru-Tension BananaSlip Tungsten All-Weather Lube comes with the Molten tier. Below is a detailed, step-by-step guide for re-lubricating with either product to ensure consistent protection and optimal efficiency.