One step hot wax application to factory new chains. What a time saver, and I am very happy with the results.
I was going thru chains and cassettes with an unsatisfactory level of frequncy. I also hated all the time I was spending on wiping, applying, and often getting rags full of dirty grime. With the wax system...my chain purrs...and I can wipe my chain with fingers and they come off clean! Before ordering, I actually went to the ZeroFrictionCycling website...where I was shocked to find the lubricant I was using was proba ly the worst choice of anything they tested. It is no wonder I was burning thru hardware. Silca products are amongst the best...and I am very enthusiastic about switchi g to a cleaner running driveline and being able to get a huge increase in driveline lifespan. A good investment in longer term savings.
I love the thickness and cushion of this tape. When installing you can really torque and stretch it unlike most other cushioned tapes to get it to lay down perfectly. The backing tape is strong but still allows you to undue and readjust if needed. The added butterfly piece for the hoods and the finishing tape are top notch. It doesn't feel or look bulky on the bike but has great dampening and it is nice and grippy. Definitely my got to tape from now on.
To preface, I've started measuring my wax intervals by ride time instead of distance since I ride mixed surfaces, and dirt is slower. Aside from mud and wet, I've been finding that road vs dirt ride time between rewaxing tends to be close, while distance is not.
That said, the EnduranceChip definitely works, and I am getting at least 50% more ride time before I start to hear the little chirps my chain makes when it's about time to rewax. I'll consider adding more endurance additive for some upcoming long bikepacking trips! The only downside I see is that I may want multiple pots for multiple wax blends. Or I'll just have to go all-in on the endurance blend, since the efficiency loss is not an issue for me in my riding.
I've been riding for 23 years and am currently building a CERVELO Soloist from the frame up, it'll be my third frame build since 2018. The Soloist has a 'D' shaped thin aero seatpost and I wasn't thrilled about clamping it in my Feedback Sports bike stand. Then I saw a brief overview on the Hirobel from Silca and I knew I 'needed' one! The Hirobel is Made in USA (major plus), finish is excellent, the main alloy bar is sturdy & heavy duty. The straps to secure the Hirobel to the frame are long and robust. The bar is simple and quick to install, the rubber mounts are easy to adjust inside the bike's main triangle. The Soloist tubes are somewhat angular and wide so the rubber mounts don't fit closely to the frame but hold well enough. With today's modern carbon bikes having wider tubes that aren't always round a wider or adjustable width rubber mount would be helpful. Once the bar is clamped into the bike stand it holds the bike well and now I don't worry about damaging my bike or worrying about all the weight being carried by the seatpost. Great concept, excellent construction, and Made In USA!
