I know I'm not to lube a new chain. My question is, the new chain has a sticky substance (lube from the factory) that I'd like to remove, with what cleaner should I use to wipe the out surface of the new chain ? I can see that substance attracting dirt. Thank you.

Most people leave the original factory lube on the chain for a few hundred miles. Then you can clean your chain however you choose.

Oh My. I lube new chains. Wipe with shop rag with mineral spirits........

A little WD40 on a rag will cut through the factory lube.

Thanks guys, I just want to remove some of the stuff on the outer surface. Then start my usual 300 or so mile cleaning. MS and WD-40 are both on hand. Thanks.

just wipe a new chain with a rag and then re-lube when it gets noisy.

I put a new chain on my Univega about a month ago and was determined to ride it as long as possible without a lube-stripping cleaning and re-lubing. I just wiped off the excess factory lube from the outer surfaces with a rag dampened in mineral spirits, but not too much -- I didn't want to strip the factory oil completely and risk rusting.

So far, so good. A month in, about three rides a week (each ride 20-60 miles) on pavement and gravel/chat trails, including some light rain and splashes through puddles. All I've done is wipe off the outside of the chain with a dry shop rag once or twice. The chain is still relatively quiet, only slightly more audible than when new -- it was absolutely silent then. In group rides compared with other cyclists my chainline still sounds quieter than most.

The only reason I can see why I'd eventually need to do a thorough lube-stripping cleaning and re-lubing will be when enough grit accumulates between the links and plates where a wipe-down won't reach. Then I'll use the spinny brush and reservoir chain cleaning doodad with degreaser. Just depends on how messy the weather is this winter.

I have found the factory lube good for 800 to 1000 miles. Wipe off the excess with a rag or paper towel.

Thanks Guys, You've helped. I've upgraded 2 of my bikes, which require new chains. For routine cleaning, I use one of those Park clip on chain cleaning tools.