It’ll be hard to convert anyone that just lets their bike run into the ground before they start taking care of it, but they’re also probably on bikes that are sub $500 and aren’t looking for efficiencies or endurance performance.

I think that's probably pretty accurate. If I had a bike kicking around that I may or may not use, I don't even think I'd be waxing that chain.

I also think that a good number of people are simply scared away by "all the work" that goes into waxing.

I'm almost looking forward to the winter, where I can really compare my experience between wax and wet lube.

Even easier is not caring or even knowing that you are supposed to do anything.

Same. When it rusts I replace it

You lost me at 10-second chain swaps

Wipperman connex master links. No tools required. Can be reused "for the life of the chain". Takes a second to remove and re-connect. 10 second chain swap!

and boiling water.

Unlike with traditional bike chain lube, which require some rather harsh solvents to remove. Wax can be boiled off the chain when needed. You can go back to bare metal on a waxed chain without any solvents.

Not sure if there is a lighter weight version, but I used to run wax on motorcyles, it came as a spray can and went on almost like a clear plastic coating. Game changer for chain maintenance

I don’t like maintaining my bike much and the waxing seems like it’s something for people that do.

For me, it's the opposite. Maintaining a lubed chain required far more time and patience than waxing. In that sense, I can focus more on riding my bike (or maintaining it in other ways, if I choose to).

And I feel like the nasty black chain is mostly a thing if you used too much oil?

That black is metal + dirt + oil. Basically, a grinding paste between the pins of your chain + all the crap that stuck to your chain.

I was using a single drop of wet lube, and my chain would be forever dirty after each ride. I could attempt to wipe it clean with 2 or 3 large microfiber rags, and still not get it "clean". But wiping doesn't actually clean the dirty parts where wear is occurring, so it was a never ending battle with degreasing, solvent baths, re-lubing, wiping.

I mean, sure, I could just wipe and re-lube and call it a day, but for the amount of riding I do, I'd either have to be replacing chains every month, or more expensive components a few times a year. That's not in my budget! LOL

Yup! Even drip wax will give better results vs. wet lube. The cleanliness blows me away every time!

I was at a group ride and showed some of the guys how clean the chain was... wiped it with my bare hands, and nothing. That was after like 60km of riding! LOL

We’re supposed to be lubing our chains?

Thrift stores are full of old crock pots. We used to get them for candle making.

If you use Silcas hot melt, then you can actually just boil the bag and put the chain in there. I haven't used it like that, but instead just got an inexpensive slow cooker (most are <$25 or nearly free if second hand).

It doesn't really "ruin" the pot, but I would dedicate it to wax only.

Interestingly enough, I've discovered wax melting pots designed specifically for melting waxes (i.e. for candle making), and while they might be a little more expensive than a slow cooker, they offer finer temperature control and may be slightly more convenient to use. With a cheap slow cooker, I'm quite happy!

I use a small wax heater for removing body hair. 20$ and gets the job done. If you plan to do more than one chain at a time though, it's too small. I'll probably buy a used crock pot or instant pot at some time to wax more than one chain at a time.

and I think I've spent less than an hour total on cleaning and lubing my chains.

Then you aren't really cleaning them. The pins in your chain can't be wiped clean from the outside. If you ride and wipe down the chain, it's not clean.

10 minutes to degrease your chain with some fancy (and expensive, I presume) stripper? Damn, nobody's got time and money for that.

For clarity, that's done once with a new chain. And it's a much safer product than solvents, which can be reused for years.

Just put your dirty chain in a small plastic bottle with some gasoline and shake it well for a minute.

You aren't getting it clean if that's how you do it. The grit isn't being removed as well as you think. You can try that with an ultrasonic cleaner, but a used chain with need multiple baths, even with an ultrasonic cleaner.

After that, run it through a piece of cloth and hang outside to dry.

In below zero temps, this isn't an option. And I'd prefer not to use gasoline in my home, either.

You do what works for you. I find waxing to be a far better process, but maybe you're needs are different from mine.