My bike's better than me!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,259
Likes: 379
From: Northern Colorado
Bikes: Moots Vamoots, 'Dale T2000, DB Response Comp, '98 G. Fisher HKEK, '89 Panasonic DX-6000, '88 Fisher Montare XT, '83 Nishiki Int'l, '72 MB GR, '75 MB GJ, '77 MB LC, '85 Centurion Ironman, '82 Miyata 710
My theory -- and it's only that -- is: if you "thoroughly" clean your chain, then you'd better use some sort of aerosol, or other penetrating method of getting lubrication into the non-visible portions of the chain--where the wear actually takes place. Otherwise, you'll have no lube where you need it.
I tend to phrase it as: if you clean it OFF the bike, then you need to lube it OFF the bike. If you clean it ON the bike, then you can lube it ON the bike.
I've seen some data that indicated that a chain cleaned OFF the bike, but lubed ON the bike had dramatically shortened life/increased wear. I'm not sure what else could account for that other than displaced lube in critical places.
Me? WD-40 with the spray straw and a rag, then 50/50 mineral spirits/Mobil 1 ... done after every ride. I don't obsess over chain hygiene, yet I get excellent life out of chains. YMMV.