Zero Friction Cycling

Great to see a legacy brand like Finish Line step into the immersive wax space. They have been at it since 1988, and here they are in 2024 proving they ain't going to act like Kodak or Nokia.

This IM wax sure doesnt look like any other I have seen or tested. Almost all others are dark in colour, this looks more like I just smashed my sand castle up and put in my wax pot.

This is going to be a really interesting test. FL make some bold and very interesting marketing claims around their new Halo product line up, and they are also priced at the premium end of the market, so it is going to need to rock in some Very low wear rates across the rather brutal zfc control test.

Follow zero friction cycling on you tube to stay up to date (I'm pretty slack posting on social media..)

The inaugural RADL GRAVL - huge thanks to all involved in putting on the event, it was mega. Course was so well marked even my garmins best attempts to screw my navigation were put to rest (timely wahoo prize win, i have heard wahoo navigation is rockin. My garmin's - plural - have most certainly not been...), marshals everywhere keeping us safe, when my mega puncture dramas threatened a possible DNF - sram support moto's got me to the finish with some timely co2 top ups. Steak burger and chips after were top notch, and then ha thanks to my mega puncture fun i managed to pick up the bang average prize to make an adventurous day even more epic!

Puncture drama - now this is embarrassing for someone who does know how to ensure his bike is zooming along. but.... its been a busy week, and lets say - i really screwed up. was having a grand ride until about 52km to go.
1) I forgot to check sealant level in my tires pre event, something i ALWAYS do. But i didnt, and rear was dry. So when i got a puncture, there was nada to help.
2) I did not do a pre flight check of my spares pack. I grabbed dynaplug racer number 1, took end off - no plug. Took other end off - no plug. F**k me. Grabbed Dynaplug racer number 2 and took end off - no plug. omg omg omg i forgot to refill after a large mtb puncture awhile back! Final end off - and it had a plug!! but it was not enough to seal
3) After inflating - i was flat again 5km later. Re inflated - repeat. Re inflated switching to a new canister. i was thinking ok.... if i can get enough cannisters, i can make it. But then out of nowhere, the rest of the second canister just released whilst it was in my jersey.
4) I got a new cannister from sram support, but the seal on my inflater was now failed. Thats a new one. so that didnt work. He had an inflater, and i was good for another 5km.
5) then it was slog - it seemed to hold at about 5 ish psi, but that is not amazingly fast. and bumps were a little worryingly rim dingy, and corners a lil squirrely. about 15km of that, then another sram moto gave me a top up, good for 5 more km, then only 10km to go on a very flat back. but i made it!!! Rather slower...

Have stack of cheap chains with the ever pesky sram packing grease.

Have ufo drivetrain clean, and silca chain stripper.

Have bulk blocks of mspeedwax.

The battle of the fancy chain prep cleaners is about to commence.

Both ceramic speed drivetrain clean and silca chain stripper make some impressive claims re how many chains factory grease they can absorb and have your chain prepped perfectly for immersive waxing, wax drip l**e or simply a top drip lubricant.

Let's put that to the test. Starting with a control chain prepped the usual way with turps and alcohol and waxed, it will have intervals run on test machine until 0.1% wear attained, as well as ride test re how dry it sounds and feels per 10hrs test time.

Then will move to 200ml ufo clean and test repeated. And repeated. And repeated. Until it is clear the cleaner is not cleaning off the factory grease, wax bond is poor, gunky etc. Fresh wax will be used for each test to avoid continuation from previous chain. Same to be repeated for silca stripper.

Apologies I barely post on insta / fb anymore as all focus / updates now are on zero friction cycling you tube channel, subscribe there to stay up to date with all things low friction, and for the updates of this test (and I expect over time I will contine to expand this testing to other products depending on lubricant testing).

Hey low friction peeps - sorry it has been a minute since last insta update - pls note that most updates now will be via you tube - i lack the time to update via you tube AND type out a insta / fb post - so if you havent subscribed to zero friction cycling on you tube - get your low friction fingers on that!

Some additional updates (like this one) will still try to pump out a quickie on insta / fb as well - but in the main, allow my dulcet tones to help guide you to your lowest friction life :)

Righto - very excited to announce the launch of Rex Black Diamond Immersive wax - having been conducting testing for rex for well over a year as they kept sending ever improved blends to test until the production version was ready to have a crack at rocking the immersive wax world.

Head to Zero Friction cycling (link in bio) for the full latest news article release / and or head to the product page on website for more deets (or Rex website for launch and pdf download). But in short, if it wasnt all that and a bag of chips - ZFC would not be stocking and recommending. We only add maybe one or two new lubricants a year - the ones that prove themselves the best products found through the worlds most exhaustive and robust independent testing.

Is this the wax for you? head to those spots to find out more.

Latest low friction news – April 5th – Rex Black Diamond wax launch

Hey ho low friction peeps, sorry it has been awhile since an update on insta / fb – most update time recently (and going forwards) will be on you tube – so if you are not subscribed to Zero Friction Cycling on you tube, now is a grand ol time to do so – I will rarely have time to do an update on YT and then type out a separate update for insta / FB – the odd one may be here – but mostly now YT will be the main channel to get your low friction goodness, and my goodness is there a lot of groovy stuff to cover in the up coming vids.

I have a ton of detail reviews for tests completed to get done, which I am failing badly at getting done via normal method of a pretty in depth review document – similarly now the detail reviews to be done will be done on YT, with a link to the video.

New test data for a number of tests should uploaded on the lubricant test page within the next couple of days.

Also last quick bite here – in case you missed it I recently had the honor of being on Dylan Johnson’s you tube channel to talk all things low friction – so check it the chat if you get a chance. Dylan is a top level gravel / endurance racer and training coach, and is always focused on efficiency – he has had some excellent chats with Josh Poertner before, and so it was great for little ZFC to chat about the area’s of focus in my little sphere.
Part 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGbIqn0Ks_w&t=1438s
Part 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE7CqgRkD8c&t=4s

Alrighty, on to the main theme of todays low friction news, an awesome new immersive wax from Rex – Black Diamond Wax!

I have been testing for Rex for quite awhile now, in fact all up they have had a machine reserved just for them for over 18 months straight.
A big focus over the last year has been testing their immersive wax – many blends and variations were initially tested, up to the point where the tests were VERY impressive, and so then final product blends tested to confirm prior to launch.
What is different re Rex Black Diamond Wax vs Mspeedwax / Silca Hot melt?
In short treatment longevity, and ability to make your own blend.
Over the course of working with REX I have been very impressed with their focus and drive to bring to market an immersive wax option that offers a genuine differentiator in this space.
One key area of focus was treatment longevity – the friction modifier used, and the amount – gives each immersive wax treatment very impressive longevity and protection against wear even when the treatment is running very thin.
The other key differentiator is the ability to adjust your wax blend. Each box contains 11 “Base” wax blocks and one “Friction Modifier” block.

Final tests were done using 11 + 1 training mix, and also a highly concentrated 4 +1 racing / extreme longevity mix – data results are up on the lubricant test page (detail review pending) – but one can see some initial data as well with the attached pics.

If one is mixing more concentrated blend over time they will have a surplus of base blocks, I will be liaising with Rex re whether they will have individual Mod blocks for sale as well in the future. I believe that is happening – but I would like to have that confirmed 100% as it will be desired for a number of rex waxers.

More information can be found on the Product page that will be uploaded to ZFC website - rex wax is now on the online store in low friction goodies and also it has been added as pre prep option to chains, and same in chain & wax bundle packs. Yeehaa.

As always im very excited to announce a new genuinely great very low wear option to the world of cycling - drivetrains are not getting cheaper (have you seen the cost of srams new XX SL cassette and chain!!!!) - if you want more money in your pocket vs abrading through components - you know where to look :)

Low Friction News 62!

Latest media interview;
Huge thanks to Dylan Johnson for having me on his show to chat about how to have a lower friction life on bike – part one of the chat (have you noticed my chats often run long?) just out, subscribe and have notifications on for Dylan’s channel for part 2.

Have a browse of his other vids as well, Dylan has a fantastic YT channel and you can find just stacks of interesting and informative content.

Link below and also will be in media room page on website when get a chance to update there.

(46) This Video Is Not an Ad. Drivetrain Efficiency With Adam Kerin - YouTube

Prestacycle One test update
Well that wear rate escalated quickly…….
After a solid result in clean block 1, showing if you ride basically just very clean road conditions it will be an ok choice, things went rather horrifically once contamination was introduced.

I did a mini update on last weeks you tube vid where checking part way through block 2 – dry contamination block – I estimated it was going to finish the block with approx. 50% wear rate for the block, which is bad.

However my approximation was a fair bit out, as the block continued Prestacycle one just became extremely abrasive by the end – demonstrating high absorbance of contamination and no ability to clear it.
With a wear rate of 95% (basically the entire chains wear allowance) for that block – DO NOT use if you ride offroad unless you want to do flush clean reset post every ride.

The top 5 drip lubricants tested to date average 4.7% wear. That is over 20x lower wear rate than Prestacycle one in this same test block. The lowest wear drip lubricant tested in this block – Effetto Mariposa Flower Power wax – at 2.3% - is 41 times lower wear.

Soooo…….. I feel confident in stating there is a pretty clear gap between the top lubricants tested to date, vs Prestacycle one.

If you would like to wear through your components 20 to 40x faster than proven top lubricants, we now know another great option for you if you want a change from using muc-off or finish line as your cutting fluid.

(scroll next page..)


(*pls note the above is my opinion based the ZFC testing, and for legal reasons I am not stating the above performance as empirical fact. But you know…. It is a controlled test and that wear rate is OUCH.)

There is still a ton of stuff to be dealt with re Prestacycle One’s marketing claims and the very concerning material they have put out re standards testing vs using an actual bicycle chain and drivetrain – that will be dealt with when I can get to the detail review – the short version is – I am EXTREMELY concerned by this companies claims, in my opinion at this time they are knowingly false and deceptive.

I am waiting for the owner to explain how I am incorrect with the above concerns.

The full list of concerns and questions sent to Prestacycle can be found on previous latest news addition found here;
https://zerofrictioncycling.com.au/latest-zero-friction-cycling-news-mega-marketing-concern-spotlight-edition/
Will they be like Muc-Off and just not answer inconvenient questions – or do they genuinely believe what they are saying in complete opposition to my concerns that they are being knowingly false and deceptive.

Time will tell, until they answer me and I can update – based on the concerns re their marketing, and based on the test results – I am have strong sympathetic feelings for anyone who was convinced to use this product. If that is you, perhaps be now convinced to switch to a different option IMMEDIATELY.

World of immersive waxing update
Tons going on here.
 Field testing cyclowax – just the base wax to start with and it feels really nice. Feels just as silky smooth as Mspeedwax or Hot melt – which for a new player in the space is a great achievement. I will try to get a chance to field test their race wax soon ish.
o It can be very easy for immersive waxes to feel and sound very dry very quickly – the wax may be too hard / brittle grade, or too soft. Ie in ZFC opinion (and MANY others) absoluteBlacks graphenwax seems to have a very short lifespan (and tested very high wear). Cyclowax themselves launched with a blend that shed far too much, but has adjusted with what is sold now – so well done re first impressions to CW, the base wax feels great, just starting to feel a bit dry now at almost 300km which is a good mark.

 Silca Hot Wax X field test just started – but right from the gun there was was quite a notable difference in stiffness. This wax is initially VERY stiff running – so if you have a race and are planning to use this super expensive stuff – plan to ensure AT LEAST 30 mins break in (I would aim for 45) – so a nice coffee ride or tune up ergo session the day before using in a race to fully break in and polish the wax will be a good idea. After proper break in, it is so far feeling mint, but a lot more km’s to put onto it yet.

 Hopefully getting closer and closer to Rex releasing their immersive wax which will hopefully be another great option for those who find it is hard to get Mspeedwax / Hot melt in Europe.

o To say ZFC has been extensively testing Rex wax blends for a long time is an understatement, and the final blends tested which should be going to production are really something. Stay tuned for data update shortly

 Mspeedwax continues to dominate the immersive wax sales space as best as ZFC can tell due to combination of exceptional low wear, silky smoothness and price point – and now – awesome packaging in recyclable cardboard. Keeping up with stocks for retail & wholesale has been a challenge, apologies for that – we are slowly getting on top of that now. For a good while it has been like trying to keep stocks of a Playstation 5, but finally production rates are matching customer demand and we are starting to get enough sent down under.

Super quick update on mspeedwax! (mostly). After a bit of a delay, finally the upcoming cases arriving will have the lovely looking new puck format packaged in their also very lovely looking new recycled cardboard tubes - thanks from mspeedwax to all those recently who have put up with pucks arriving in little bubble wrap bags whilst this new packaging came on line!

All we need now is more wax!!! am keeping listed as in stock as cases are arriving / en route - but whoa so are orders - so their may be mini delays of hopefully only a few days from order to shipping to fill mspeedwax / bundle pack orders.

Some chain lines also remain a massive challenge to stock, but we keep pressuring importers. This apparent mega cycling industry downturn is not hitting demand for chains, and 3 years now since covid started it is still extremely difficult to get hold of some chains (like shimano 12spd, eagle x01 / xx1, sometimes shimano 11spd..)

thanks for bearing with - working hard on it as always!

Hope you all enjoying TDU, staying safe, and staying low friction!

Xmas & holidays!
Hey ho low friction peeps - quick update for the upcoming festive period!

But first, as we close on the end of 2022 - I would like to say a huge and heartfelt thanks to all for the support again over this last year. The year has zoomed by and whilst i felt i achieved some progress in war on saving drivetrains from an early death by abrasion - I am ever more aware of how much work i still have to do as ZFC is tiny and the marketing efforts of some juggernauts is huge. But i have some plans afoot to make better progress in 2024 - a little holiday project of mine is to figure out how to do my own quick you tube vid updates vs the film days and longer form videos to cover main info to date - i think if i can get up an running with a weekly / fortnightly little knowledge / spotlight update - much better progress will be made. Stay tuned and thanks for patience so far - again - me being on video - I'm not a natural and that was not the plan when i started, but it is just clearly necessary to make proper progress in an area so riddled with horrendous marketing and general level of knowledge / understanding. Reading pretty much any forum on chain maintenance and lubrication makes my eyes bleed - i need get smarter and make better progress. Plans afoot.

Alrighty - xmas time - I need a bit of rest as im a bit knackered - i will be taking from xmas eve until jan 16th off - aside from my little side project to figure out. I am prepping madly last weeks to try to get as many prepped chains as possible to Andrew - but he will still run out.

Retail supreme leader Andrew will be having the xmas week off, then will fill as many orders and answer as many enquiries as possible. Any enquiries that need me to answer will be filed away for me upon my return, and he will update when he is out of stock needing re supply from me on my return.

The online store will stay open and i think will have a good shot at filling 90%+ of orders during the period im off, with hopefully only about 10% needing me to prep on return / hunt more stock due in.

That will do before i ramble too much - again thanks again for another great year!

Stay safe, stay low friction!!