Originally Posted by
fauxto nick
I can dig on the idea that a dirty bike is a badge of honor and my bike usually isn't the cleanest thing but inversely I don't like prematurely wearing my Dura-Ace drive train and KMC chains so I do my best to keep it clean.
If you ride in slop, you'll get premature wear whether or not you clean the bike up. If you ride in slop regularly and try to keep your bike clean, all you'll do is clean. Though I do think it's worthwhile to get as much gunk as possible off the chain.