Originally Posted by
Chombi
Bicycle chains are not "sealed" like motorcycle chains that use actual O-rings at the roller, side plate interface, which retains factory provided pin/roller lubricant, essentially for the service life of the chain. The seams between the side plate and rollers on bicycle chains are open to drain with even just a long ride in the rain, so I wouldn't worry about trying to retain any factory provided lubricant, as it is essentially a total loss system that needs to be replenished by application of lube to the chain every time after you give it a good clean, or after every wet ride.
+1^^^
When it comes to the need to clean a chain, I would first ask if it is to clean an encrusted chain on a used-bike purchase, or, if it is to maintain the chain on one's own regular ride.
I see no reason why my chain would ever get particularly dirty. It looks almost dry after I do my normal lube-and-wipe-down, so attracts little dirt.
I adjust the mix ratio of lube to solvent such that after lubing wiping down the chain and allowing the solvent to dry, there is no excess of lubricant inside the chain to creep out while riding and create a mess. The solvent-diluted lube application normally lasts some hundreds of miles of road riding and the solvent-diluted lube can be applied to the moving chain (pedals going backward) in all of 10 seconds.
So, it's lube and wipe, period, with no buildup over the ~5k-mile life of the chain. The chain is happy and the sprockets seem happy.
I avoid using $10 chains (such as TaYa or KMC "Z"-series chains) and look for quality 8 and 9-speed chains in the ~$15-20 range online.
BTW, as far as lubrication and wear, un-lubed chains have been tested to last as long or longer than average lubed chains. The lube keeps things quiet, prevents rust, reduces pedaling losses and can somewhat repel entry of dust, but the metallurgy of mating parts inside the chain is sufficient to prevent excessive wear sans-lube.
My chain will soil my hands if handled, but doesn't ever get to looking gunked-up. The application of new lube/solvent mobilizes whatever grunge is in it and on it, and most gets wiped away each time with the terrycloth shop rag, whole task takes perhaps two to three minutes, including the very thorough wipe-down.
An older gunked-up chain may have hardened deposits that are extremely hard to remove, so consider tossing any such chain if it shows much stretch wear, if it shows rust (rusty chains break) or if it can be upgraded from an old-fashioned or wide type of old chain.
9sp chain can offer a huge improvement to rear shifting on
all Suntour and Uniglide/Hyperglide freewheels.