Two chains, one plan: I do the waxing

I've waxed chains in the workshop for years, and the thing that puts people off isn't the result, it's the faff. Stripping the grease, the pot, the drying. So I've set up a plan where I do all of it and you just swap chains.

How it runs

• You get two chains, both hot-waxed. One goes on the bike, the other waits in its bag.
• Once a month, fit the clean one and post the used one to me in the pre-paid bag. It comes back waxed, with another bag.
• Every chain gets measured when it comes in. When the pair is worn I tell you, so you never run a stretched chain.

Why bother

The cassette is the dear part, and it wears with the chain. Swap chains before they stretch and the cassette lasts two or three times as long. Wax dries hard, so grit can't get in, and the chain runs quieter and lasts far longer than one on drip lube. It also saves a few watts, if you care about that sort of thing.

What it costs

• Two new chains at the normal price, first wax included. Or send in two chains you already have, £5 each to degrease them.
• Then £24 a month for a year (12 payments, then it stops, and I email you before the end to see if you want to continue), or £26 a month rolling that you can cancel any time.
• Postage both ways is included. An extra wax for a race or a muddy weekend is £20.

Your plan page keeps count: "wax 4 of 12 used, 8 left". If you ride with MTB east you'll know how quickly a wet winter eats a drivetrain, and this is the easy way to stop it.

The two-chain wax plan. Any questions, ask me.