People need to get over this notion that you can throw any old oil on the chain and then go 500 miles before you have to deal with it again. Yeah, it'll still be working after all those miles, but it will be mega dirty and the equipment will be slowly degrading. Also, cleaning becomes a major chore. I know this approach is popular because I see a lot of cruddy drivetrains out there. But popularity doesn't make it right.

Instead, you should think like a watch maker. Clean, clean clean, and oh so lightly lubed. Then everything can work at it's best. I use Pro Link Gold, because a light lube lasts about 100 miles. Then it's clean and lube again. It is real easy to clean the chain without taking it off the bike because it never got dirty in the first place. Clean, lube and go. It costs, but you don't use much.

The way to tell when it's time to clean and lube; run your fingers back and forth over the rollers. Are they turning freely, like they do just after a lube job? If not, it's time to do it again. bk