Silca Secret Chain Blend is a lubrication product that requires melting and submerging the chain into a melted wax liquid. Although the process is more complex than using a drip wax, a few additional tools can simplify it. The benefits include a cleaner drivetrain, enhanced durability in most conditions and reduced friction.
Wax as a bicycle chain lubricant has been available for many years, with numerous drip wax options such as Squirt, Smoove, and Effetto Mariposa Flowerpower chain wax, the latter we tested recently.
Drip wax, as the name suggests, is already liquid, with wax suspended within a carrier. Normally, instructions are to apply to each roller and left to dry before use for maximum benefit. Drying time varies depending on the brand and conditions, but Silca Super Secret, for example, recommends at least 12 hours.
Silca Secret Chain Blend - Hot Melt Wax – Technical details
In contrast, hot melt chain wax, such as Silca Secret Chain Blend, is solid at room temperature and needs to be melted before use. Many riders who prefer hot wax immersion use a slow cooker (crock pot). Still, it isn’t strictly needed with Secret Chain Blend as the packaging is designed to be placed directly into a pan of hot water to melt the wax, reducing potential costs. The chain must be removed from the bike, so a quick link is useful. Using a bent spoke or similar tool to insert/remove the chain is advisable. While the packaging can be used, I still prefer a slow cooker, with the larger opening allowing you to put it in and out of the hot wax – and better temperature controls being the key benefits.
It is crucial to ensure all greases and oils are removed from the chain, especially new chains with thick factory grease. After the initial degrease and hot wax application, the chain still needs to be cleaned before subsequent waxing but the process becomes much simpler and quicker as the wax helps keep the chain cleaner.
The chain needs to be left in the hot wax long enough for the wax to penetrate all areas, typically taking 5 to 10 minutes, although Silca does not specify an exact duration. It is important to ensure the temperature does not get too high, as paraffin wax can ignite at very high temperatures (~245°C).
I use a basic slow cooker, available for around £10-15, which has the advantage of set heat settings. Lower settings take longer to melt the wax but eliminate the need for constant supervision. After the chain has been immersed and agitated, the liquid needs to cool. The chain should be removed just before the wax begins to solidify again, which is recommended to be at 68°C, and left out to drip and dry. Once it has completely dried and cooled, the chain should be set in place, and the wax between each link broken before refitting it on the bike.
Silca Secret Chain Blend - Hot Melt Wax – Performance
It is almost impossible to determine precisely how long Silca Secret Chain Blend will last on your chain but I have used it for over a year both on- and off-road, through all seasons. Results vary from under 50km on the worst days, riding through the grittiest soil conditions, to well over 300km when there is no mud or grit in sight and over 500km on dry roads.
Even as an ardent hot-waxing fan, I will admit that using Silca Secret Chain Blend exclusively on a mountain bike requires commitment, especially if you ride through winter in wet areas. Trail centres such as Afan or natural riding areas with grit-based soil will strip the wax off relatively quickly. The longer process and potential stress on quick links might be too much if you use the hot melt method after every ride.
Where the Silca Secret Chain Blend has proven to be a fantastic option is how clean and smooth the chain feels when it is applied. Even on the muddiest days, the chain will stay clean, not attracting any dirt and will not turn into a sticky black mess. The nature of the wax treatment keeping the chain clean is a key reason why the wax has been tested and proven to be one of the lowest friction and fastest chain lubricants available when tested by Zero Friction Cycling.
There are ways to simplify the process, such as batch cooking, which involves immersing multiple chains in the same cooking pot or bag. However, this approach does entail the extra cost of purchasing multiple chains. I’m sure other riders who use hot-melt wax as a preferred option will have individual methods and develop their procedure. One small method I have made to save time is to install a jockey wheel onto a wall directly in a way that allows it to spin, creating a quicker way to break the hardened wax.
Silca Secret Chain Blend - Hot Melt Wax – Verdict
A £40 bag of wax might seem expensive but if used correctly and ensuring only clean chains are immersed, it will last a long time. I haven't counted exactly, but I've treated over 25 chains with one packet. This makes it cheaper than some popular drip wax options. For instance, CeramicSpeed UFO All Conditions suggests 8ml per application will be needed, and with a 100ml bottle at £19, you would get 12.5 applications per bottle. Effetto Mariposa is more optimistic about its Flowerpower drip lube, recommending 4ml per application.
Compared to MSPEEDWAX, another popular option and one of the first products that was manufactured and marketed for bicycle chains, the overall performance and longevity are similar. Both have similar ingredients, with Tungsten Disulphide being a key component in Silca Secret Chain Blend. MSPEEDWAX is cheaper, available at £25 for the same 500g size.
The process isn't for everyone but, with time, you can modify your steps to make it more streamlined. It won’t suit everyone, with durability in the wettest or grittiest conditions being the biggest potential barrier. That said, the Silca Secret Chain Blend Hot Melt Wax is an effective and proven chain lubricant that ensures clean and quick performance, though it requires additional time to ensure proper application.