Silca launches the Silca StripChip and the Silca Ultimate Chain Wax System

Indianapolis, Indiana/Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Feb 20th 2024, 9 am EST/ 3pm CET – Get ready for chain waxing revolutionized into a single step. Silca has created a game changing product in Silca StripChip, the first-ever in-wax chain degreaser. Launching in conjunction with the Silca Ultimate Chain Wax System.

Developed by Silca, a leader in high quality tools, pumps, and high-performance cycling lubricants, the Silca StripChip disrupts traditional chain cleaning methods with its innovative and user-friendly approach.

Gone are the days of harsh hardware store chemistry sets and time-consuming processes.

Silca StripChip offers a cleaner, faster, and more environmentally friendly way to keep your drivetrain running smoothly and extend its lifespan. Making chain waxing the ONLY step of the process. 

While developing Chain Stripper, Silca CEO Josh Poertner fell down a chemistry revolution occurring in the food industry known as oleogelation.

This new concept developed to replace hydrogenation for food oils, for health benefits, also showed promise at converting lubrication oils into solids.

This simple chemistry takes base oils which would normally act as solvents inside of waxes and converts them into binders that connect and extend wax molecule chains. Just a few minutes at the right temperature and oils and greases inside the factory lubed chain, convert into highly lubricious, long chain wax/lubricant molecules right inside of your hot wax.

Simply drop one square of StripChip into your hot melt wax, let it melt, then drop in your new factory chain and let it work its oleogelationmagic. 

For StripChip to be most effective, it needs to be carefully controlled at a hotter temperature than typical waxing (125ºC compared to 75ºC). Enter the Silca Ultimate Chain Wax System. The first bicycle chain optimized, temperature adjustable wax system (75-125ºC / 167-257ºF).

This all-in-one system has a 600 ml (just over 20 oz) pot, chain hanging coupler, as well as a drip stand. Drop in about 400g of wax, one square of strip chip, set the temperature to 125ºC and your factory chain is ready to wax.

The system allows for the full range of chain waxing temperatures from 75ºC (perfect for Secret Chain Blend) to 85ºC (perfect for HotWaxX) to 125ºC which is the exact oleogelation temperature needed for StripChip.

Please note: StripChip will work with Crockpot and Instant Pot setups but must be carefully managed for temperature.  Standard Crockpot Low is 90-110ºC, which is below the oleogelation temperature, and standard Crockpot High is 150-160ºC which is right at the over-temperature point of the oloeogelator and risks long term damage to the wax.  If using the product with double boiler, Crockpot, or Instant Pot, we recommend using a thermometer and carefully ensuring that the wax never exceeds 130ºC.

• Effortless Cleaning: Forget the hardware store chemistry sets, soaking, and time! The Silca StripChip does the arduous work for you while your chain is in the wax.

• Faster Process: Clean your chain in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods. Spend less time cleaning and more time riding.

• Extended Chain Life: Chain waxing extends drive train life and makes you more efficient. StripChip makes the process of chain waxing more efficient.

• Developed for Silca Secret Chain Blend: For best results use with Silca Secret Chain Blend hot melt wax and the Silca Ultimate Chain Wax System.

• All-in-one system with chain coupler and hanger included.

• Temperature control produces the best performance possible. 

• Looks more dialed than your ole crockpot set up.

• 600 ml pot for easy, mess free waxing.

“The Silca StripChip is a game-changer for cyclists who want a clean and efficient waxed drivetrain but struggled to have the time to do it all, or thought the process was too daunting” says Richard Pool, Marketing Director at Silca. “This product makes chain waxing step one, by removing the barriers we hear about, our hope is now with StripChip more cyclists at every level can take advantage of the benefits of chain waxing.”

"When I first tried out a StripChip treated chain, I was pre riding the Leadville 100 course. The team pulled a fast one on me and sent me what I believed was a traditional race chain and told me later about their new product. The chain was flawless, and they had to convince me there was a difference. Synopsis: simpler waxing process, just as fast on the bike." 

"Since 2019 and starting to do a lot of my own wrenching, there have been quite a few advances in bike tech. Whether it is a waxed chain helping you go faster and be more efficient or the creation of tubeless to keep us moving forward, the first iteration of each product wasn't perfect. With tubeless it used to take 3 friends, a bottle of soap and an air compressor to seat tires and now I can do it one handed with a normal pump because sealant and tire beads got better. StripChip represents a similar advancement for waxing, such simplification and ease that waxing doesn't take hours anymore, but minutes and best of all you won't have sore arms from shaking mason jars. Thanks, Silca." - Alexey Vermeulen 

"I first used a StripChip waxed chain in a four-hour gravel ride last year and noticed no performance change in the chain." - Alex Dowsett 

• The Silca Strip Chip is available for purchase online and at select bike shops nationwide with a retail price of $24, £24, and €29.

• The Silca Ultimate Wax System is available for purchase online and at select bike shops nationwide with a retail price of $99, £99, and €119.
  

SILCA was founded in 1917 by Felice Sacchi outside of Milan, Italy and was well-known for the first company to put gauges on pumps, the first to produce a true ‘high-pressure’ frame pump and the first to work with revolutionary lightweight material plastic after the end of WWII, and later the first to bring CO2 to roadside inflation. Today SILCA is located in Indianapolis, IN where it continues to build iconic products that utilize the finest materials and craftsmanship available while pushing technological boundaries by leveraging the most modern engineering and manufacturing practices and materials.