Dynamic wins Hot Wax test!

Pioneers of chain waxing began decades ago by applying paraffin instead of oil to the chain, essentially using candle wax. A drivetrain lubricated with wax attracts very little dirt, and where there’s no dirt, there’s also less wear—especially when cycling in wet conditions.
However, waxing requires quite a bit of preparation—components must be completely grease-free before application for the wax to adhere—which is why it was long considered a niche topic.

That has changed. Today, almost every traditional manufacturer offers wax, and countless companies have emerged, making waxing their main focus. The market has exploded. Essentially, there are two types of products: hot waxes and drip waxes. The former must be melted, and the chain needs to be disassembled before being dipped into the hot wax, making the process time-consuming. Drip waxes, on the other hand, are applied directly from the bottle, much like oil. According to manufacturers, hot waxes are said to perform better. However, because drip waxes are easier to apply, the market seems to be shifting more in that direction. Both methods can also be combined. For example, you can reapply drip wax to a hot waxed chain before sending it back into the hot wax bath for a major overhaul after several cycles.

We can confirm from years of experience that waxed chains attract very little dirt. Even after a ride through thick mud, the waxed chain remains surprisingly clean. This, in turn, lays the foundation for significantly longer durability of chains, cogs, and chainrings (multiple lifespans are possible!). Since drivetrain parts on modern bikes can cost hundreds of Euros—cassette prices can even reach 500 euros—durability is a crucial factor in long-term operating costs. The benefits of a clean drivetrain not only improve the performance but also enhance the experience of handling the bike. Waxed chains leave minimal dirt, with only a small amount of wax loss during the break-in period. This makes handling the bike more pleasant. Especially when transporting the bike or frequently switching between bikes, the benefits are clearly noticeable.

Practical issues mainly arise during rainy rides. It has never been a good idea to park the bike wet in the garage, especially with a waxed drivetrain, as it offers less corrosion protection than oil, which, unlike wax, can seep into the parts. As a result, rust can begin to develop on a wet, parked waxed chain overnight. Therefore, waxed drivetrains should be dried off after every wet ride and re-lubricated after every ride.

The performance of a waxed drivetrain can vary. Manufacturers sometimes claim up to 1,000 kilometers per application. While this may be true under specific road conditions, based on our experience, a more realistic practical range is around 200 kilometers, with much less in winter conditions. Generally, oil tends to last longer.

Our test field includes 16 products from 11 manufacturers. Six hot waxes are tested alongside ten drip waxes. The price per gram ranges from 9 to 50 cents, making wax relatively expensive. This is less likely due to the cost of the base ingredient, paraffin, and more to the additives mixed into the waxes. Solid lubricants like tungsten disulfide or special ceramics, which are intended to adhere to the metal surface, are costly ingredients. Wax is also efficient. For hot waxing, only about four grams of wax are used. A 400-gram pack lasts a long time. For drip waxes, the duration of use depends on viscosity and application, but even small containers can be quite efficient, such as Dry Fluid, which is very thin and comes with a precise applicator tip. For reference, to keep a fleet of eight bikes running, the author used 240 milliliters of drip wax over the course of a year. Estimated total mileage: just under 20,000 kilometers (wax cost: 0.23 cents per kilometer).

Manufacturers categorize waxes by their intended use, with some marketed as low friction products and others as endurance waxes designed for higher mileage. Three manufacturers (Dynamic, Motorex, and Toniq) also promote biodegradable waxes.

For testing, we applied the waxes to degreased Shimano XT chains and subjected them to an efficiency test on a special test bench, with high to very high loads ranging from 370 to 680 watts. We compared the waxes with the original Shimano chain lubrication as well as a very good chain oil.

A practical approach is to combine both methods: preparation with hot wax, followed by re-lubing with drip wax. Pre-waxed replacement chains are another option.

Below is an overview of all the waxes that were tested by BIKE Magazin. This overview provides valuable insights into the performance of different waxes under various conditions.

Our test shows that the manufacturers' claims are indeed true: waxes lubricate very well. The best even outperform a very good high-end chain oil in terms of efficiency—though only narrowly. The efficiency gain compared to Shimano’s original lubrication, which is more focused on corrosion protection, is significantly greater. A good wax saves 5.5 watts at 370 watts of power output, which is still 1.5%. Is that little or a lot? That depends on your perspective. Replacing the original lubrication with something faster should be a must for competitive cyclists. If the chain is worn and/or dirty, the differences between the products are likely even more significant than those measured in our test.


At higher power levels, the efficiency of the drivetrain generally increases. Therefore, the ranking for high power levels is not exactly the same as for lower power levels (see chart above). Our measurements show that most waxes still perform very well, even at very high power levels, such as those produced by e-bikes. A noticeable trend is that hot waxes reliably perform well and lead the ranking. Drip waxes, however, also rank quite highly. Even a wax-free dry lubricant, like Dry Fluid, performs very well.

Discount code for our hot waxes: FastestWax10

Do you want to ride with the fastest hot wax from now on? Then this is your moment to buy 2 of your favorite hot waxes with the €10 discount code above! Act fast, as the discount code is only valid for a limited time.