I like CLEAN chains to start! IMO the best riding is done with a fresh cleaned and lubed chain. Two chains with master links is the ultimate! Start by soaking in paint thinner then dry with compressed air and repeat with a second soaking in clear thinner, and then dry again with compressed air. (keep the two thinners in jars and they can be reused for a long time as the grit settles) Install the clean chain lube with your favorite lube and ride. After some lenth of time in Seattle for example it might be 15 day other areas shorter or longer, point is when dirty simply remove chain and install the clean second chain, lube and ride. Repeat and you are good to go. Keep the cassette, pulleys and chain rings clean and your drive train will last a long happy life! Sometimes old school is better than the new "chain cleaners" recycle the grime method. Bottom line, the inside of the rollers are where the cleaning needs to happen and the lube there needs to be grit free.