One of the latest products tested by Zero Friction Cycling, Flower Power Wax has a set a new record low total wear rate across the brutal main test protocol out of all drip lubricants tested to date.
This also means it has delivered the lowest overall drivetrain cost to run of any drip lubricant tested to date.
Who is it for?
This is a top product for those looking for a long lasting wax lubricant that has extremely high contamination resistance (so a brilliant choice for offroad riding as well as road), and has proven to deliver highest level of chain and drivetrain wear protection. This of course means the lubricant remains very low friction to deliver such incredibly low wear rates over such a long test period and including dry and wet harsh contamination test blocks.
Quick Fire product Q&A to help decide if this product is for you vs other top tested products?
Q) Is it compatible to use with immersive waxing?
A) Officially no. Mspeedwax and Silca hot melt are paraffin based, this is sunflower seed wax base, so the base waxes are completely different. If you are looking for a drip lubricant to use in conjunction with immersive waxing, choose silca ss drip, UFO drip, or Tru-Tension Tungsten all weather.
*NOTE – If looking to run with Flower Power wax, you CAN add directly over an mspeedwax or silca hot melt treatment and it will work perfectly. Pre prepped wax chain options are still the easiest way to get rolling on a super low friction path vs faffing with removing factory grease yourself if you don’t wish to. It is only putting a Flower Power wax chain back into a pot of Mspeedwax / Hot melt – it is unknown if over multiple instances of this if the different wax type going into wax pot may impact adherence of msw / hot melt to chain.
Q) What are the main differences between Flower Power Wax and Ss drip / UFO drip / TTAW?
A) Flower Power wax is notably longer lasting per treatment, but not as clean looking over time with chain / drivetrain becoming more black over multiple applications vs the above options. If outright cleanliness for drip lubricant as well as very low wear is your main criteria, then SS drip / UFO / TTAW. If longer treatment longevity, even lower wear yet again, and also quite a bit cheaper per long lasting bottle is your priority – then Flower Power wax.
*NOTE – Flower Power Wax is also EXTREMELY smooth to ride for a long stretch per application before starting to sound and feel dry. It has a more damped feel than highly refined paraffin based drip lubricants, the offset of this is not being outright as clean looking on drivetrain over time.
Q) How do I clean it? Is it environmentally friendly?
A) One of the key attributes for Flower Power Wax is it is extremely environmentally friendly. It is a wax, and so it is quite resistant to most solvents. Effetto have their own Alpine cleaner which ZFC may look to stock in future, however otherwise UFO clean works on waxes so periodic maintenance if needed can be done with UFO clean + boiling water rinse post UFO clean.
*********Further product Information below directly from Effetto website**********
Wax-based lubricants are an efficient and clean way to lubricate bicycle chains. With its sunflower seed wax content, Flowerpower Wax uses natural ingredients for record-breaking performance and reliability, all this avoiding fluorinated compounds, graphene and sulphides.
EXCLUSIVE FEATURES:
- Creates a solid layer of wax between the moving parts of the chain, reducing friction, noise and increasing the life of the chain
- Unlike lubricating oils, it does not dirty clothes and resists contamination by dirt and dust very well
- Thanks to the sunflower seed wax, it is very resistant to water and is ideal in any season, on and off-road
- High wax to water ratio (over 50%!)
- Rapidly biodegradable: it does not contain PTFE, sulphides, graphene or other chemicals harmful to the environment
The advantages of wax chain lubrication
We are all familiar with the classic lubricating oils, traditionally used in cycling. However, these products are subject to rapid contamination during use, collecting dust and dirt (hence the classic trace of black they leave) and over time becoming real abrasive pastes that reduce the life of the chain and – progressively – its efficiency (we are talking about several Watts of precious leg power wasted).
The use of lubricating waxes has become more and more widespread: the chain treated with these products does not dirty, runs silently for a long time and absorbs less power, all this while increasing the number of kilometers traveled before a chain has to be replaced. Water-based wax emulsions, such as Flowerpower Wax, bring great benefits, following some simple usage tips.
How Flowerpower Wax works
Flowerpower Wax creates a solid layer of wax that is interposed between the moving elements of the chain, reducing friction. It’s a water emulsion of natural waxy compounds, with the right viscosity to penetrate inside the chain links, where lubrication is most important. Once the water has evaporated, a thick layer of wax remains firmly anchored to the metal, creating a real anti-friction pad.
The chain will not be dry to the touch – given the layer of wax that also protects the outside – but it will not be greasy or sticky and will not retain dirt.
First application
Wax emulsions require a deep cleaning of the chain before they can be applied the first time. It is essential to remove any oily traces so that the emulsion comes in contact with the metal and can deposit a well-adhering layer of wax.
The thing is very simple using our Allpine Extra – an excellent degreaser designed for this purpose – and the Mangiacatena chain cleaner, equipped with rotating brushes. Thanks to these products it is not necessary to disassemble the chain to clean it thoroughly. Rinse the chain with water and dry it perfectly to complete cleaning.
Once this is done, after shaking the Flowerpower Wax bottle vigorously, apply a drop of product on each link of the chain. When each link has received its drop of wax, slowly turn the pedals (at least 10 complete revolutions) in order to allow the emulsion to penetrate inside. Leave to dry for at least 2-3 hours.
For the first application, repeat the lubrication process described above a second time (one drop of Flowerpower Wax per link, etc.). After waiting again for 2-3 hours to allow the water to evaporate, possibly clean the excess product on the outside of the chain with a cloth and you are ready to pedal.
Successive applications
As the kilometers accumulate, when the chain starts to become noisy, simply clean it with a dry cloth and reapply a drop of Flowerpower Wax on each link. Since the wax retains no or very little dirt, it is possible to continue to lubricate in this way without the need to degrease the chain, which is instead recommended in case of rides in muddy conditions or in the presence of sand. In that case it’s better restoring the initial conditions with Allpine Extra, rinse, dry and then proceed with a deep lubrication with Flowerpower Wax.
In normal use, we recommend lubricating the chain if needed after the usual cleaning of the bicycle, in order to find it ready for the next ride.
High percentage of wax
There can be major differences between water-based wax emulsions. While many competing products are around 30%, Flowerpower Wax exceeds 50%* of wax-to-water ratio. The result is the formation of a thicker anti-abrasion layer for the same quantity of emulsion applied, with great benefits in terms of durability and efficiency.
* percentage by weight (dry residue after evaporation of water)
The strength of sunflower seeds
The wax obtained from sunflower seeds has really interesting characteristics for cycling use. It adheres strongly to metal and is water-resistant, prolonging the effectiveness of lubrication even in the event of rain or involuntary washing (creek crossing etc.). It also has excellent mechanical properties, necessary to withstand the continuous stresses of pedaling.
Thanks to its formulation, Flowerpower Wax is ideal in any season, both on and off-road.
Without hazardous additives
We have decided to avoid adding further additives (such as PTFE and fluorinated compounds in general, graphene, sulphides, etc.) to keep Flowerpower Wax totally harmless to the health and environment, also because the current formula – among other things, vegan – has satisfied the most demanding testers and racers in the long development phase. Together with sunflower seed wax, other waxes of natural origin complete the lubricating mix. The emulsion is water-based without the addition of alcohol.
Format, tips for use and storage
Flowerpower Wax is available in 100 ml bottles. Shake well before use to allow the ingredients to mix evenly.
A single application of Flowerpower Wax allows you to travel about 300 km on an asphalted road, in the absence of heavy rain. Off-road use may require more frequent chain lubrication.
**ZERO FRICTION CYCLING interjection – ZFC rates Flower Power Wax as notably longer lasting per treatment than 300km – circa 400 to 500km is easily expected in dry road conditions**
Keeping the chain well lubricated allows you to optimize the life of the drivetrain and its efficiency in terms of power absorption.
Considering that a complete lubrication of the chain requires about 4 ml of product, a 100 ml bottle allows 25 lubrications, for an approximate total of 7,500 km traveled.
Store and apply the product at a temperature between 5 and 35 ° C (41 – 95 ° F). Once applied to the chain, the temperature limits of use are those at which you decide to ride.
Made in Italy
