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Fully Optimized Race Chain
Fully Optimized Race Chain
Please note that this product is made to order and requires 5 to 10 days for production prior to shipment.
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Decawatts’ Fully Optimized Race Chains are meticulously prepared to deliver maximum speed and efficiency from the very first pedal stroke—whether you're lining up for a road race or tackling a demanding off-road course.
Unlike mass-produced alternatives, our race chains are handcrafted through a deliberate, multi-stage process designed to ensure optimal performance. At Decawatts, precision matters at every stage—from cleaning to break-in to final treatment—so there’s no ambiguity about what you’re getting. With other chains, you may be left wondering: Was the chain properly broken in? Were multiple chains processed together in a shared cleaning bath? Was the wax fully bonded to the metal?
At Decawatts, we take no shortcuts. Before waxing, each chain undergoes a rigorous two-stage mechanical break-in that runs over several hours. This process polishes and smooths the internal surfaces of the chain’s rollers and plates, minimizing friction and preparing the metal to absorb the wax more effectively.
Following this, the chain is treated with a high-performance wax blend selected specifically for your racing discipline and environmental conditions. Whether you're racing in dry heat, cold, or wet mud, our wax options are tailored for purpose—and you can find detailed information about each at the bottom of this page.
But the optimization doesn’t stop there. After waxing, each chain is subjected to a final break-in cycle before receiving a coating of Molten Speed Wax Race Powder, one of the most advanced chain surface treatments available. This final layer further reduces friction, enhances drivetrain smoothness, and ensures your chain performs at its absolute peak under race-day pressures.
Chains prepared with our wax-and-powder process consistently outperform those treated with drip lubricants. Because the wax forms a dry, non-tacky surface, it resists the accumulation of dirt, dust, and grime—making it both faster and more durable across a wide range of conditions.
Whether you're racing on tarmac, gravel, or singletrack, the Decawatts Fully Optimized Race Chain is the most effective choice for serious competitors. While adverse conditions such as mud and rain will naturally accelerate wear—as with any lubricant—our waxed chains remain cleaner, faster, and more resilient than traditional alternatives.
Chain Compatibility Options
YBN MK120 / SRAM E1 RED / SRAM E1 FORCE (12 or 13 speed):
- Specifically designed for SRAM 12 or 13 speed drivetrains only.
YBN SLA1210 / SHIMANO CN-M9100 (12-speed):
- Compatible with all 12 speed drivetrain systems except SRAM.
YBN SLA110 / SHIMANO CN HG-901 (11-speed):
- Universally compatible with all 11-speed drivetrain systems
YBN SLA101 / SHIMANO CN-6701 (10-speed):
- Universally compatible with all 10-speed drivetrain systems.
Race Chain Treatments — Purpose-Built, Elite Performance Across Every Discipline
At Decawatts, every race chain is developed to be the fastest in its category—optimized for specific disciplines, distances, and environmental demands. Using Silca Hot Melt Wax as the foundation, each chain receives a carefully calibrated infusion of either Speed or Endurance performance chips, followed by a final application of Molten SpeedWax Race Powder.
These chains are not generically "faster or slower"—they are strategically tuned for their intended use case, ensuring world-class performance whether you race on pristine tarmac, dusty gravel, or rain-soaked singletrack.
SPEED 2 — Ultimate Speed for Short-Distance Road Racing
The SPEED 2 configuration is the fastest possible drivetrain setup for dry, short-course road events. Each chain is infused with two speed chips per half batch of Silca Hot Melt Wax and finished with race powder to achieve peak efficiency of ~98%. This setup delivers over 6 watts of savings compared to even top-tier drip-lubricated chains.
- Time Trials, Short Road Races, Triathlon (up to 70.3 distance).
- Dry road only.
- ~100 km.
- Riders seeking absolute maximal efficiency for races under 100 km.
SPEED 1 — High-Efficiency Chain for Longer Road Events
With one speed chip per half batch, SPEED 1 offers nearly identical watt savings to SPEED 2 (only ~0.2% less efficient), while doubling service life. This makes it the fastest chain available for extended dry-road events.
- Gran Fondos, Century Rides, Full Ironman (140.6).
- Dry road only.
- ~200 km.
- Athletes needing elite-level speed over greater distances without compromise.
STANDARD — Versatile and Race-Ready, Even in the Rain
STANDARD chains are waxed without performance chips but still receive the race powder finish. They are only ~0.6% less efficient than SPEED 2, yet offer significantly increased durability—and are the only waxed road race chains built to withstand wet conditions without compromising drivetrain speed.
- All road races, including wet-weather race days.
- Dry and wet roads.
- ~400 km (dry); one full race in wet weather (~200km).
- Athletes racing in unpredictable or adverse weather conditions.
ENDURANCE 1 — Gravel Racing’s Premier High-Speed Chain
ENDURANCE 1 chains are treated with one endurance chip per half batch, enabling them to resist contamination from dirt and dust while preserving speed. With just a ~0.25% efficiency trade-off versus STANDARD, they are the fastest chains available for dry off-road racing.
- Gravel Races, Long-Distance MTB Events (dry conditions).
- Dry off-road.
- ~550 km.
- Gravel racers seeking the best speed-to-durability ratio on rough terrain.
ENDURANCE 2 — Maximum Resilience for Extreme Off-Road Conditions
These chains are engineered for survival under the most brutal conditions, using two endurance chips per half batch to maximize wax adhesion and resist mud, water, and grime. Though slightly less efficient, ENDURANCE 2 chains are the fastest and most dependable choice when conditions are at their worst.
- Ultra-Endurance Gravel, Mountain Bike Marathons, Multi-Day Off-Road Events.
- Muddy, wet, or highly abrasive environments.
- 400+ km in harsh conditions.
- Riders needing chain performance that won’t fail in mud, rain, or technical backcountry terrain.
In Summary
Every Decawatts race chain is designed to be category-leading in its specific environment. Whether you're chasing milliseconds in a time trial, enduring a 200-mile gravel epic, or racing through torrential rain, your chain is not just fast—it’s the fastest chain for your exact challenge.
Race Chain Treatment Levels Overview
| Treatment | Best For | Environment | Efficiency | Estimated Lifespan | Wax Formula | Race Powder Finish | Use Case Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPEED 2 | Max efficiency for short events | Dry Road Only | ★★★★★ (~98%) | ~100 km | 2 Speed Chips | ✅ Yes | Time Trials, Triathlon 70.3 |
| SPEED 1 | Long-course road racing | Dry Road Only | ★★★★½ (~97.8%) | ~200 km | 1 Speed Chip | ✅ Yes | Gran Fondo, Ironman 140.6 |
| STANDARD | Versatile, wet/dry road events | Dry + Wet Road | ★★★★ (~97.4%) | ~400 km (dry) 1 full race (wet) | No Chips | ✅ Yes | Wet road race/ Ironman, mixed weather |
| ENDURANCE 1 | Dry gravel & MTB races | Dry Off-Road | ★★★½ (~97.1%) | ~550 km | 1 Endurance Chip | ✅ Yes | Unbound Gravel, Leadville 100 |
| ENDURANCE 2 | Harsh off-road & extreme weather | Wet, Muddy Off-Road | ★★★ (~96.8%) | 400+ km in harsh conditions | 2 Endurance Chips | ✅ Yes | Rainy MTB races, mud endurance |