Supplier's description:One of the latest products tested by Zero Friction Cycling, Flower Power Wax has set a new record for low total wear rate across the brutal main test protocol out of all drip lubricants tested to date.
The Flower Power Wax 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 — a smart choice for off-road as well as road riding). The Flower Power Wax has proven to deliver highest level of chain and drivetrain wear protection. The lubricant remains very low friction to deliver such incredibly low wear rates over such a long test period, including dry and wet harsh contamination test blocks.
Can I use it for immersive waxing?
Officially, no.
Immersive waxing products like MSpeedWax and Silca hot melt are paraffin based. Flower Power Wax is based on sunflower seed. The base waxes are completely different. If you are looking for a drip lubricant to use in conjunction with immersive waxing, choose the Silca Super Secret drip.
If you want to run with Flower Power wax, you can add directly over Silca hot melt treatment and it will work fine. 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 want to. It is only when putting a Flower Power wax chain back into a pot of hot melt we don't know if doing this multiple times the different wax type going into wax pot may impact adherence of hot melt to chain.
How do I clean it? Is it environmentally friendly?
One of the key attributes for Flower Power Wax is it is environmentally friendly. It is a wax, and so it is quite resistant to most solvents. Effetto have their own Alpine cleaner which we may look to stock in future, however otherwise Silca Bio Degreaser works on waxes so periodic maintenance if needed can be done with it and boiling water rinse after the clean.
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 soil clothes and resists contamination by dirt and dust
Because of the sunflower seed wax, it is very resistant to water and is ideal in any season, on and off-road
Over 50% wax to water ratio
Rapidly biodegradable not having PTFE, sulphides, graphene or other chemicals harmful to the environment
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 a degreaser, 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 (percentage by weight — dry residue after evaporation of water).
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.
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 health and environment. The current formula 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.