OK, I realize this is a frequent topic with a variety of conflicting yet defensible positions, and I did perform a search and read through a few of the archived threads. Nevertheless, I'm asking.

I picked up a cheap chain checker yesterday (I know, I know) and surprise, surpise it told me my chain was more than 0.75% worn. I double-checked it with a ruler, and sure enough my chain is past the 1/16th inch mark. This is the original chain (KMC HG53), and I've got exactly 1500 miles on the bike.

So this turn of events has me reflecting on chain care and contemplating what I've done to contribute to the demise of my chain. I know I've committed some offenses. Some, like riding in the rain, are something my chains are going to have to live with. Others, like not always waiting for the chain to dry completely after a cleaning before oiling it, were just dumb. Everything else is somewhere in between.

Generally, my practice has been to wipe and oil the chain daily (using ProLink oil) and give it a good run through a clamp on chain cleaner once every week or two. Sometimes I observe the better practice of oiling the chain at night and wiping it clean in the morning, but more often I oil it hastily just before hitting the road.

Lennard Zinn (in Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintainence) claims that oiling the chain daily will have a net positive effect washing out more grit than it attracts. By contrast, Jobst Brandt says, "Never oil a chain on the bike" precisely because it is one of the chief ways grit gets into the chain innards.

Having tried Zinn's method with less than stellar (though I guess not terrible) results, I'm thinking about giving up my daily oil and maybe just going to a weekly or monthly cleaning and oiling, but I thought I'd solicit some opinions first.

I follow the Zinn method, although not daily. Lube with Pro-Link, wipe, ride, repeat. I don't clean the chain, just keep it lubed and wiped. It's worked well for me.

If it starts to make noises time to re-oil. A drop in each link, rotate for a few seconds to let the oil in to the links, wipe off excess that is left on the outside. The last part is important, since excessive oil on the outside is what attracts all the dirt. Optionally, wipe it after each ride.

I used to obsess over my chain and wasted a lot of time on cleaning my chain and cogs. Then I found more important things to do with my life and just wipe and lube after particularly heavy rains every month or two. Same chain and cassette 3 years later still working fine, despite the caked on crud. Probably get another 6 months to a year out of it and then replace. Saved me countless hours of greasy chain fiddling. YMMV

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/chains.html

Is that supposed to be 0.75% or 75% worn? Because 0.75% worn isn't very much.

Boy! You might be sorry you started a discussion about chains it's hot topic at times!

It's a chain. It's a consumable part in my opinion. 1500 miles is a fine life. And a 1/16 of an inch is not much. After a year on my single speed the old chain is full link longer than a comparable new chain. But since I don't have to deal with shifting and gears I really never notice. I just replace it as part of my end of winter ritual.

The one you have will last a longer, but get a new one now and you might get more life out of your cassette and chainrings. I replace he chain on my road bike about every 1500 miles. Cassette 3000

Chains are relatively cheap.

I oil it about 2x/year. Mine has at least 5,000 miles on it.
Steel gears, internal hub, chainguard and fenders = WAY less chain maintenance.
The chain may never "wear out" on this bike. It'll eventually break I guess. *shrugs*

more Sheldon Brown wisdom. sure miss that guy.

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/chainclean.html

Naturally, when I said I clean my chain daily, that's the way I do it.

1500 miles on a chain isnt terrible, especially for the cheap stock kmc chains 99% of bikes come with. I just use a good wax lube (rock n' roll yellow lube well...rocks) and apply it maybe once a week or so and it works good for me, i rarely need to clean my chain, it doesnt squeek or make noise and i get really good life out of it as well. im at almost 1000 miles on this chain and it doesnt really show any signs of wear and my cassette and chainrings are both well over 3000 miles and look almost new