Originally Posted by
IntoThickAir
At the risk of sounding careless, I never clean my chain. Of course, if there's a small rodent stuck in there I'll knock it off, but I don't do anything with my chain besides a wipe down with a rag after oiling. That's all, and I've yet to suffer any chain-maladies, despite being reduced, on a tour in Kyrgyzstan, to using butter for a lube. Am I just lucky?
I am convinced that using solvents or water and citrus degreaser helps the grit get farther into the chain. Putting on lube and wiping it off is all I do unless it is completely caked in mud. I that case I gently rinse it off with plain water and let it dry before relubing.
As far as lubes... I have had the best luck with Boesheild T-9 and the worst with White Lightning. My chains all seen to last very well.