Chain Wax Revolution? Prototype Automatic Waxing Machine Spotted at the Tour de France

Foreign media have noticed that the Lotto-Soudal-Trek team has been using a prototype automatic chain waxing machine during this year’s Tour de France. The device, manufactured by Belgian brand Cyclowax, is said to be the “king” of immersion chain waxing as it can wax a chain without removing it from the bike.

The machine resembles a bike trainer, securing the bicycle via the rear wheel and pulling the chain slowly through a “black box” containing melted wax (and other friction-reducing additives).

According to Cyclowax, during the Tour de France, the Lotto-Soudal-Trek team has been using this prototype alongside more traditional chain waxing equipment (two heated ultrasonic cleaning machines) to ensure the team can use freshly waxed chains for each stage.

Theoretically, this gives the team a performance advantage over riders and teams using conventional chain lubricants.

Before the race, Cyclowax was interviewed about how the device works and its potential future impact.

The No-Disassembly Wax Revolution?

Waxing is often hailed as the gold standard for power-saving and reduced wear on bicycle chains. However, one of the main issues with waxed chains, according to Cyclowax, is the need to remove the chain from the bike for reapplication.

Under dry conditions, a waxed chain typically lasts 300 to 400 kilometers before needing a new wax job. After riding in wet conditions, the chain needs to be dried and re-waxed immediately to prevent rust.

This means that both professional and amateur cyclists, in most cases, would have to remove the chain after almost every ride for re-waxing. This requires significant time and effort, and for professional team mechanics who clean and maintain dozens of bikes daily in races like the Tour de France, it’s challenging. Frequent disassembly also increases the wear on pins or quick links.

Cyclowax aims to address this issue with its automatic chain waxing apparatus.

How Does the Cyclowax Automatic Chain Waxer Work?

The bike is mounted on the prototype device in a manner similar to a bike trainer or stand. A section of the chain beneath the drive-side rear dropout is placed into a compartment that clamps the chain. Inside this compartment, there’s a small “river” of wax, a heating element, and a mechanism to slowly pull the chain through the “river.” Once turned on, the heating element melts the wax, and the chain automatically passes through it.

As the chain exits the compartment, the wax solidifies at ambient temperature.

After approximately 30 minutes, the entire chain is waxed and lubricated. The compartment then opens automatically, releasing the chain and the bike. The user simply needs to rotate the cranks on the bike (or on a workbench) to release the hardened wax from the links, ensuring smooth operation.

Cyclowax states that the device is designed for re-waxing chains that are already waxed or completely degreased of all original lubricants. It differs from systems like the Silca StripChip and Ultimate chain waxing systems, which can strip and wax a chain in one process.

For those who prefer not to degrease their chains at home, Cyclowax also sells pre-waxed chains ready to install, available in 10 to 13-speed configurations as well as single-speed chains.