top of page

Go green with waxed chains and TPU inner tubes


Sustainable cycling waxed chains

The stats speak for themselves. Cycling is more popular today than ever. There are now an estimated one billion bicycles globally, and growing. In the UK we have stats for 2021 when there were around 6.5 million active cyclists.


That’s awesome. The link between exercise and health is clear and the planet will be better off especially if people choose cycling instead of driving the car. A win-win all around.


As more people choose cycling, the cycling industry needs to step up to promote sustainable practices through the entire supply chain: from how it sources materials, manufactures bikes, clothing and accessories through to how it packages and ships its products.


While all these things are all absolutely necessary, we’ve recently been thinking closer to home on the practical steps we can take to enjoy cycling while keeping our impact on the planet to a minimum.


Look after what you’ve got


We can all reduce our carbon footprint by maintaining our bikes properly. This means regular maintenance to minimize the need to replace parts. Cleaning thoroughly, lubricating and drying before storing - including the bearings, bottom bracket and free hubs but especially the chain which can collect lots of grit and wear down the cassette, chain rings and pulley wheels. As well as extending your bike’s life span it will also improve its performance making cycling more enjoyable.


When things break, mend em


One of the beautiful things about cycling is that bikes are pretty easy to repair. This is especially true thanks to the great free resources out there by the likes of Park Tool and GCN. Whatever the problem, whether it’s repairing a punctured inner tube, re-cabling or installing a new bottom bracket there is a video out there that will take you through step by step!


Buy cheap, buy twice!


When you choose to buy something new, buy things that last. There can be a lot of hot air in the cycling industry so it’s important to separate the truth from the marketing gimmicks. But generally we would recommend well built and simple designs machined out of high quality materials like our carbon seatposts or super lightweight Kalloy UNO stem. Carbon fibre is often a good choice, but lighter isn’t always better, look out for durable designs with titanium fittings.



We’ve previously written about the benefits of waxed chains. A waxed chain is lubricated with natural, biodegradable wax which makes it a great choice from a sustainability perspective. It also repels dirt which means less time spent cleaning and spraying the harmful chemicals that are in wet and dry lubes (e.g. naphtha, kerosene and aliphatic hydrocarbons) which are bad for the environment. We stock a small selection of our favourite ultra lightweight waxed chains: the KMC X11-SL and Dura Ace HG-901 which we wax using our secret superslick formula.



Next time you replace your inner tubes you may also be interested in upgrading to a RideNow TPU inner tube. TPU is made from renewable sources like plant-based oils and non-toxic chemicals, making it an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based synthetic rubbers and plastics. RideNow TPU inner tubes are an amazing way to save around 200g in weight and the TPU material is much more durable than traditional butyl tubes meaning you’re less likely to get a puncture.



For more like this on cycling, sports psychology and wellbeing etc sign up to our newsletter, click here. To follow us on Instagram, click here. If you're after the very best lightweight bike parts you're in the right place. Ultra light carbon handlebars, seatposts, stem, pedals, waxed chains, RideNow inner tubes etc all rigorously tested by us and a small team of cyclists. Click here to see more.

Recommended

Excellent

Screen Shot 2024-03-09 at 12.57.21.png

Overall Customer Rating

Don't just take our word for it

From the community:

Fantastic customer service

Fantastic customer service.

I added a note asking if the purchase could be sent out in time for the weekend and it turned up next day, very impressed - thank you

SG

Stefan Gates

Screen Shot 2024-03-03 at 21.40_edited.jpg

Litebike are doing things right

great product and service, follow up e mails to make sure im happy with it is a nice touch, the seat post is well made and looks really good on the bike, size is perfect when measured

DS

d styles

Screen Shot 2024-03-03 at 21.40_edited.jpg

Rapid service, thanks

Ordered a waxed chain late on Friday evening with a cheeky note that I'm racing Outlaw Half following weekend and hoping to receive in time. Had a response at 23.00 saying they would dispatch Sat morning. Received it 10.00 on Monday morning.

Amazing service!!!

JB

Jeremy Brown

Screen Shot 2024-03-03 at 21.40_edited.jpg
  • Why is weight so important?
    Reducing weight is the most noticeable upgrade you can make. Lightweight bikes accelerate faster and are more responsive to the power you generate, helping you reach your performance potential. Lightweight means going faster and further, for longer. We help cyclists reach their goals - from competitive racers to weekend riders.
  • Do lightweight parts mean compromising durability?
    Most of our bike parts are made from carbon fiber which is lightweight, stiff for optimal power transmission, and flexible in certain dimensions making cycling more comfortable. We put every part through rigorous testing by us and our small team of cyclists. This means you can be confident that our parts will perform for thousands of miles.
  • How come your bike parts are so lightweight for the price?
    The cycling industry is full of gimmicks, poor quality parts and expensive marketing. We are flipping the switch. We work directly with the same manufacturers producing parts for the top cycling brands, avoid the marketing gimmicks and expensive packaging, to bring you top quality products at a fraction of the cost.
  • Are your products sustainable?
    We aim to set the industry standard for high quality bike parts that last. We are the opposite of fast fashion. We are slow fashion - for bikes.
  • Is your packaging recyclable?
    We use biodegradable packaging for all our products wherever possible. We reuse packaging that comes to us too.
  • How long will it take for my order to arrive?
    We aim to deliver all UK mainland deliveries in 1-3 working days.
  • How can I track my order?
    We use Royal Mail’s tracked delivery service. You will get an email with tracking information so you can keep tabs on where your order is and exactly when it will arrive.
  • Do you ship to Europe?
    Yes. Please choose your country at the check out. We charge a flat fee of £8.50, roughly €10.00, for shipping. This is less than it costs us but we don't believe in Ryanair-style add-ons! You may need to pay some taxes on delivery.
  • What’s your returns policy?
    We’re only happy if you’re happy. You can return any part you bought from us within 30 days and we will give you a full refund. Please return the item in its original condition, with any labels attached.
  • Do your handlebars have external cabling?
    Yes. Our handlebars are easy to install for the home mechanic. The cabling is externally routed in a groove running along the bottom of the bars.
  • Are your handlebars DI2 compatible?
    While some customers have fitted DI2 this requires drilling extra holes and we wouldn't recommend it unless you are an experienced mechanic. Please get in touch if you have any questions.
  • Can I fit your carbon handlebars with an alloy stem?
    Yes, our carbon handlebars can be fitted to an alloy stem, such as our super light UNO Kalloy x Litebike.
  • Will the tubes fit my bike?
    Our TPU inner tubes are size 700 x 18-32c and fit a standard bike wheel. Unless you cycle a Brompton you probably have a standard wheel. 18-32c means the tube will inflate to fit a range of tire widths between 18 mm and 32 mm. Our Litebike Performance 50g tubes are suitable for disc and rim brakes. Our RideNow 35g tubes are also suitable for rim and disc brakes.
  • Are your inner tubes difficult to install?
    TPU inner tubes are a performance product and should be installed carefully. This includes cleaning the rim and inflating the tube to a max of 8psi before installing in the tyre. Anyone can install TPU inner tubes at home, but if you are fitting them for the first time it's worth following the instructions on the box carefully.
  • You also sell RideNow gravel TPU tubes. How are these different?
    Our RideNow gravel tubes are sized 700 x 32-47c. This means the tube will inflate to fit the full range of tire widths between 32 mm and 47 mm.
  • Can TPU inner tubes puncture?
    Like with butyl and latex tubes, TPU inner tubes can puncture. However, studies have shown that TPU is more puncture resistant than other materials. You can take steps to reduce the chances of getting a puncture, for example by cleaning your tyre to remove any debris and not inflating the tubes above 8psi outside the tyre.
  • Are TPU inner tubes sustainable?
    TPU is made from renewable sources like plant-based oils and non-toxic chemicals, making it an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based synthetic rubbers and plastics.
  • What are the benefits of a waxed chain?
    You will go faster. Studies have shown you will save up to 7 watts. You will save time cleaning. Wax repels dirt. You will help the planet.
  • How do I wax my own chain? It sounds complicated.
    Chain waxing can be done at home with an old slow cooker and a few other household items. Once you have done it once it’s easy to repeat. If waxing is not your thing, but you’re still after the performance benefits of a waxed chain, we sell a small selection of top quality, pre-waxed chains. We wax them ourselves in our workshop.
bottom of page