I’m a wax chain convert, so I was keen to try out three new wax products from well-known cleaning product developer Muc-Off.

The three Muc-Off products included in my (non-technical) test were Muc Off’s Chain Wax Cleaner, Dark Energy Chain Wax and Bicycle Chain Brush. The three are designed to work together as a cleaning system, or separately, depending on your needs.

I have to confess that my wonderful partner is the one who was responsible for my wax chain conversion about six months ago.

To me, it’s a game-changer when it comes to maintaining the drivetrain of my bike, but also when handling the bike.

It’s so much cleaner than traditional chain lubricants. No more dirty fingers when I’m cleaning the bike, or undertaking any maintenance. It’s also great for putting the bike in the back of my car or packing it in a bike bag for air travel.

Just for context, my partner has set up a wax chain system with three wax-immersed chains that are rotated. He uses dedicated wax and a pot that is designed for the purpose. When he first converted the bike over, he pulled the drivetrain apart to clean it thoroughly.

If you’re relatively new to cycling, you might be wondering why we’re talking about chains and companies like Muc-Off that produce specific products for their maintenance.

If you maintain your chain well and replace it when it’s worn, you’ll not only get a smoother ride, you’ll get more life out of the rest of your drivetrain.

Your cassette, chain rings and even your derailleurs will have a much longer life, saving you angst and money.

Chain Wax Cleaner – 500ml

Muc-Off says this cleaner is built specifically for prepping and maintaining waxed chains. They recommend it for stripping away factory grease on a new chain before your first wax, or for removing used wax residue, ready for a fresh dip or drip.

In our case, we used it to remove the wax residue before applying the Muc-Off Chain Wax.

It was easy to apply by spraying it on the drive train, and it washed off with water as directed. Once we’d finished, it was clean and ready to be waxed.

If you need to clean it more thoroughly, you can also use the same product to immerse your chain fully or run it through a chain cleaner.

Muc-Off says it is biodegradable and water-soluble.

Bicycle Chain Brush

We also used the Muc-Off Bicycle Chain Brush both before and after applying the cleaner.

The brush was designed well to allow the chain to run through it, cleaning it on three sides simultaneously. The bristles are strong enough to get in between the links to clean it thoroughly.

At the end of the tool, the longer bristles are there to clean other drivetrain components, such as chainrings, cassettes, and jockey wheels.

It’s a tool you’ve probably never thought you needed until you use one that is specifically designed for bike chains. If you’re serious about keeping your chain clean (and every rider should be), then it’s a great addition to a home workshop.

Muc-Off says it is suitable for most chain sizes and styles.

Dark Energy Chain Wax

Dark Energy Chain Wax is a single-dropper wax that is applied to the chain similarly to traditional bike lubricants by dripping it onto each chain link.

Muc-Off says the new plant-derived, biodegradable wax is the result of four years of testing across 90+ formulations, equating to over 8,500 hours of lab and independent machine testing with over 100,000km of real-world riding by their in-house test team and pro-team riders.

The chain wax forms a dry-film barrier designed for consistent performance in dry and damp conditions.

Like other wax coatings on my chain, I found the Muc-Off chain wax provided smooth gear changing and low drivetrain noise. Usually, when I have a freshly waxed chain on my bike, it is noisy for the first few kilometres, but the Muc-Off wax chain was quiet from the start.

I did, however, notice that my chain picked up a little road grime after a few rides with the Muc-Off Chain Wax, which does not happen with the immersed wax chain.

As per the directions on the packaging, we dripped it on each link of the chain and completed this twice. Then, I ran the chain through the drivetrain to disperse it and left it overnight to settle.

While it’s a great product, using the traditional wax method is much more cost-effective. During this test, we used about a third of the 50 ml bottle on the one chain. However, it was convenient and less messy than removing the chain and dipping it in wax. It will certainly be a great addition to our bike travel kit.

Muc-Off says the product is PFAS- and PTFE-free.

Summing up

These new products make sense if you want wax performance but don’t have time for immersive waxing, you ride in dry-to-damp conditions, and you are willing to undertake the necessary preparation.

These products are probably not for you if you regularly ride in wet and muddy conditions, you’re not willing to deal with proper chain and drivetrain preparation, or you’re already happy with your immersive wax system (no need to change).