Due to the success of their waxing system, Rotation Engineering reached out to DXM Design Works to develop a follow-on product for their waxing system. A common side effect of waxing chains is that they become stiff with the wax once it has cooled, requiring a ‘break-in’ period before the links in the chain become free-running again. Typically, bike shop mechanics will perform this operation by hand, running the chain over a piece of plastic to break the links free. Many consumers will either do the same or put the chain back on their bike to break it in; they run the risk of one of the chain’s links derailing and scratching/marring their frame.

To solve this problem, the device was designed to break chains in automatically with a drill. The chain is kept under tension with a strong extension spring, allowing the chain to remain loaded even as the wax is relaxed and removed. The central sprocket is a custom-designed narrow-wide profile that closely matches the internal width of the chain teeth to remove as much loose wax as possible. Several iterations of prototypes were made to find an optimal solution, with DXM Design Works fabricating many of the components at the first launch of the product.

Several units have been purchased by professional race teams, service courses, and bike shops for use on their waxed chains. A resounding success!