Originally Posted by
cyccommute
Oil is used because it flows. If you put it on and wipe off the “excess”, there is still oil inside the chain. Moving the chain or even just letting it stand, allows the oil to migrate to the outside where you have to wipe off the excess. Rinse and repeat ad infinitum. There is no such thing as a “properly oiled chain” that doesn’t have oil on the outside and that translates into a black gunky chain which leave black gunk everywhere.
I just ran my chain, one revolution of the cranks, while grasping it with some white TP. OK, there's a little, barely visible residue. Hard to see in most light. Wouldn't come off when I just used my hand. Definitely not "black and gunky." Which, if this is what you're seeing, makes me think you don't know what a properly-lubed chain should look like.
Originally Posted by
cyccommute
How often do you clean your “properly oiled chain”? My pictures above were for chains that were in the middle of their service duty. They are clean and the chain can be handled without getting gunk all over everywhere. I only need to clean the chain once. I seldom need to clean the rest of the drivetrain at all. I’ve used oil in the past. I have never experienced an oiled chain that is “clean” and I have handled tens of thousands of oiled chains.
Yeah... as you've suggested, I really don't need to clean my chain that often. One really deep-cleaning actually, since it was installed. But when things start looking a little black, I'll take it off and clean it, while at the same time thoroughly cleaning the cogs, RD pulleys, chainrings and crank.
In my years at the bike shop, it was my experience that even so-called "knowledgeable" cyclists use WAY too much oil on their chains. I'll say that again: WAY. TOO. MUCH. OIL. I guess it falls under the adage of, if a little is good, lots must be way better.