Connex Liquid Wax

Connex Liquid Wax is a high-performance chain lubricant that promises to reduce wear and enhance efficiency, all without the extra work of traditional hot immersion wax options. It delivers impressive performance, but with a relatively small bottle and a steep price tag, it’s a premium option that won’t suit every budget.

Connex has collaborated with German wax-lubricant specialist Optimize to develop Liquid Wax, a product designed to complement its pre-waxed chains while remaining fully compatible with any other chain. The formula is PTFE free and contains Connex’s proprietary supplemental coolant additives (SCAs), which are intended to minimise wear.

Application

As with all wax-based lubricants, proper application starts with a completely clean chain, which can be a time-consuming process. If applying Liquid Wax to a factory-treated or previously lubricated chain, the easiest method is to place the chain in a 2-litre bottle with a strong degreaser, give it a thorough shake, and then rinse it fully.

Once your chain is dry, Liquid Wax can be applied in two light coats, allowing five minutes between each. Connex and Optimize recommend letting the coating dry completely, ideally for at least eight hours – though this will vary depending on temperature and humidity.

Once cured, the wax hardened to a level similar to a hot wax treatment, which was surprising. The surface quickly broke in and rotated smoothly after just a few pedal strokes, meaning no additional bedding-in time was required, as is sometimes the case with hot wax coatings.

Performance

I began testing the Liquid Wax in the winter with a Connex 12WAX chain, applying it once the factory wax had begun to wear off. All testing was done on the same bike, covering a mix of on- and off-road riding in typical British conditions ranging from cold, dry days to heavy rain and gritted roads.

During extended dry periods, I managed multiple long rides on a single application, accumulating over 250km across several outings without needing to reapply. In these conditions, the wax performed exceptionally well, keeping the chain almost silent and, more impressively, virtually spotless. Even after exposure to muddy sections, it showed no signs of retaining dirt or oil. Based on my experience with various wax-based lubricants, I would expect warm weather and smooth roads to push longevity to beyond 400km.

However, like most wax lubricants, its performance suffered in wet conditions. On continuous rainy rides and wet tracks, longevity dropped below 100km before reapplication was necessary.

If wet-weather durability is a priority, Connex Liquid Wax may not be the best option – alternatives like Silca Synergetic offer much greater longevity in poor conditions. That said, while Silca’s oil-based formula excels in durability, it cannot match Connex Liquid Wax for drivetrain cleanliness.

Surprisingly, Connex makes no specific claims regarding performance gains or watts saved, a metric many competing lubricants will boast about. However, given how clean the chain remained across all conditions, I would expect efficiency levels to be on a par with immersion hot-wax treatments.

Value

At £39.99 for a 100ml bottle, Connex Liquid Wax is a premium product – almost more liquid gold than liquid wax. While there are even more expensive options, such as AbsoluteBlack GraphenLube (£115, 140ml), this still sits at the higher end of the market, particularly considering how much is needed per application. Unlike Silca Synergetic (£25, 59ml), which only requires a tiny drop per link, Connex Liquid Wax necessitates a full coating.

Silca Super Secret is probably the most similar product for comparison, and that costs £25 for the 4oz /114ml size (£40 for a bigger 8oz bottle), and Ceramicspeed UFO Drip All-Conditions is also cheaper at £19.99 for 100ml.

For other options from just £5.50 upwards, check out our best bike chain lubes buyer’s guide.

Conclusion

In terms of outright performance, Connex Liquid Wax is the closest drip lubricant to an immersion hot-wax treatment I have used. While a thoroughly clean chain and overnight drying time are still required, it remains a much quicker and easier option than full immersion waxing. It’s also an excellent top-up for pre-waxed or hot immersion waxed chains. If conditions are suitable, it offers outstanding cleanliness and durability – just be prepared to pay a premium for it.

Verdict

Expensive but highly effective and impressively clean for a wax-based liquid chain lubricant

All the deals displayed on our review pages are pulled from a constantly updating database feed of the best affiliate deals available. The criteria for deciding on what are the best deals is who is offering the lowest, delivered price. In most cases we will be showing the very best deal available online, but sometimes you may be able to find an item cheaper. If you can please feel free to post a link in the comments box below. To find out more about affiliate links on road.cc click here.