What do you use to clean your chain?

[SnappyPix]

Kali,

I tried exactly the same experiment you describe. After years of gunked up chains, I started using Rock&Roll when I had a new one fitted.
It was the best thing I ever did! Lovely clean chain and no degreasing (and no more sticky black glue wiping itself all over my bike kit).
The stuff I used was Rock N Roll Absolute Dry. You need to make sure you thoroughly wipe the lube off the chain with a dry cloth (and wipe and wipe again) - I would also give it a good scrub with a toothbrush (to get in between the pins) before applying more lube and wiping clean. Always came up a treat.
The downside is that it causes an unhealthy obsession with clean chains! But this is good!

I was living in NZ at the time though (no salt on roads), so to cope with the salt and crap on the roads here in the UK I'm about to try the same technique with Purple Extreme (which was originally used for lubricating oil rigs, so I'm hoping it'll cope with our salty roads!).

[Kalidurga]

Snappy, I'm glad to hear about the results you got. I use the Rock'n'Roll Gold lube, at the recommendation of one of their customer service folks, and I usually wipe it until it leaves no residue when I swipe the chain with a finger (my version of the "white glove" test). I get my bike with it's new chain back from the shop this week, so I'm looking forward to seeing how this works out.

Please let us know what results you get from Purple Extreme. I heard about that brand right after I picked up my bottle of Rock'n'Roll and I've been curious about it ever since.