Two-chain wax plan
Always a waxed chain on the bike
Why
The cassette is the expensive part
It wears with the chain
A chain stretches as it wears, and a stretched chain chews the cassette and chainrings. Swap chains before they stretch and the cassette, the dear part, lasts two or three times as long. You'll get two or three pairs of chains through one cassette instead of one.
Wax keeps the grit out
Drip lube is wet, so it picks up grit and grinds it into the chain. Hot wax dries solid and polishes smooth, so dirt can't get in. The chain runs quieter, saves a few watts, and lasts several times longer than one on drip lube.
Two chains, no waiting
Running two chains in turn is what the chain-wax people all recommend: one on the bike, one clean. The plan does the waxing for you, so you never wait for the post and never ride a chain past its best.
How it works
Three steps, then it runs itself
1. Pick your two chains
Any chain in the shop, in stock or not (I get them in quickly). I recommend two of the same type. You pay for the chains today at the normal price, and the first wax of both is included. Or send in two you already have: £5 a chain to degrease them, first wax included.
2. Once a month, swap over
Both chains arrive hot-waxed with a pre-paid returns bag. Fit one, keep the other. When the one on the bike needs it, fit the clean chain and post the used one to me. It comes back waxed, with another bag. Each chain has its own joining link; a reusable Connex Link, which opens by hand, is an optional extra on the chain pages and makes the monthly swap easier.
3. One wax for every payment
Pay £24 a month for a year (12 payments, then it stops, and I email you a month before the end to see if you want to continue), or £26 a month rolling, cancel any time. Each payment is one wax, and your plan page counts them: "wax 4 of 12 used, 8 left". A race or a muddy weekend coming up? An extra wax is £20.
Every chain is checked for wear when it comes in, and I tell you when the pair is due for replacement. Sending two chains in the same month uses two waxes, so one at a time keeps you going all year.
Start
Choose your chains and start the plan
Pick by the speed of your cassette, then check the chain fits your system: SRAM T-Type, SRAM Flattop road and Shimano Linkglide each need their own chain. Not sure? Send me a photo of your rear mech and cassette before you order.
Today you pay for the two chains and the first month. After that it's monthly by card: the 12-month plan takes 12 payments and then stops, with an email from me a month before the end; the rolling plan carries on until you cancel from your plan page. Either way you keep the waxes you've paid for.
Already have two chains? Pick “send in two chains I already have” and post them to me after paying. They come back stripped, waxed and ready to fit.
Questions
The plan, in detail
I ride more than once a month. Is one wax enough?
On the road, a waxed chain is good for about 300 km before it wants another dip, more off-road in the dry, less in the wet. One wax a month suits most riders. If you do more, send both chains in together (that uses two waxes) or add an extra wax for £20 whenever you need one.
I ride less. Do unused waxes pile up?
Yes. Every payment adds a wax and they stay on your plan. On the 12-month plan they run to the end of the year; on the rolling plan they stay as long as the plan runs.
What happens when a chain wears out?
I measure every chain that comes in. When a pair gets to 0.5% wear I tell you, and you buy two new chains at the normal price. The plan carries on with the new pair, nothing else changes.
Can I pause it over winter?
The rolling plan can be cancelled any time from your plan page and started again in spring. The 12-month plan runs through, but the waxes you don't use in winter are still there for the spring.
Can I use chains I already have?
Yes. Choose "send in two chains I already have" when you start. It's £5 a chain to strip the grease or old lube off, the first wax is included, and you post them to me after paying.
Which chain should I pick?
Match the speed of your cassette, then the system: Shimano Hyperglide+ and older SRAM Eagle share chains, but SRAM T-Type, SRAM Flattop road and Shimano Linkglide each need their own. Every chain in the list says what it fits. Send me a photo of your rear mech and cassette if in doubt.
I've moved house, or want to change my card.
Press "Change card or cancel" on your plan page: it opens Stripe's secure page for your subscription. For a new postal address, reply to any plan email and I'll update it.
What does the monthly payment cover?
One hot wax in Squirt Performance Hot Wax, postage both ways, a new quick link if the chain needs one, and a wear check with a note when it's time for new chains.