Originally Posted by woodysroad

I'm no mechanic and those who are will probably say "overkill", but my morning routine is to first hold the chain in a mechanic's rag as it emerges from the bottom pulley and crank the chain in reverse 50 times. Then I use a small brush and place it in the same position and again crank it in reverse 50 times on top and then the bottom of the chain. Then I hold the brush on the rear gear cogs and crank in reverse the same number of turns. Then I repeat for the front chain rings. I also wipe the chain rings with the rag. I then apply Rock & Roll Degreaser/Lubricant daily, lightly, then hold the chain in the rag and crank backward several times to remove excess. I then put just a couple of small drops of Finish Line Cross Country lubricant on my thumb and forefinger and turn the chain thru them several times. Then I run it thru the rag a few turns. Once a week I use pipe cleaners to clean the inside of the chain links. On a 10,000 mile tour I had the first chain checked several times and it didn't need replacing until 3,500. The second was changed at 2,000, the third at 2,000, and the fourth after the end of the trip, at 3,000. It's obsessive, but it sure shifted good and the cassette and chain rings stayed in good shape.