The way I see it, every time I bomb down mountain roads at 45-50mph I'm putting my life in the hands of 15 lbs of carbon, steel, titanium and rubber. Cleaning, maintenance, and knowing that every centimeter of my bike is in tip-top condition gives me comfort.

Plus removal of salt, dust and grime prolongs the life and performance of your bike. High end components/wheelsets are not cheap and I'd rather not have to replace them too soon.

For a quick fix, I suggest getting a bottle of Finish Line Speed Degreaser ($10-15). It's not a replacement for taking apart your drivetrain and getting a thorough cleaning, but it will get rid of the crud build-up in your cassette.