Originally Posted by WheresWaldo
Subject: Chain care, wear and skipping
From: Jobst Brandt
Date: January 10, 2002, revised November 23, 2004
A myth that is difficult to dispell is the story that grease on a new chain, fresh out of the package, is not a lubricant but rather a preservative that must be removed. This piece of bicycling myth and lore thrives despite its illogic.
Well I was going to paste it, but without any facts to backup that claim, it's on the same footing as Linus' post.