Why does my Road chain get so much dirtier than my MTB chain?

[ikkin]

anyone have any ideas? can the road really be that much dirtier than the trails? i'm using the same lube (ice wax) on both.

[singletrackmind]

The road is pretty dirty, I usually get a visible layer of ucky grey road grime on the fronts of my lower legs.
Then again, there's usually a similar degree of dirt when I'm mtb'ing.

The trail does wash off much easier than the road, maybe the same goes for the chains.

[zanaya]

Are you putting to much oil?
oil picks up dust and...the rest. The more you put the more it picks up.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I found my road bike chains stay much cleaner since I switched from oil lube to dry/silicone lube. They also seem to run smoother and silkier too. But they don't pick up as much black dirt and grunge anymore. I dribble on the dry lube while running the chain backwards on a stand about once every couple of weeks, and then wipe the chain thoroughly with paper towels.

Others have their own preferences.