Some Chain advice please...

Jeez you guys talk some crap.
If the chain is rusted, oil it. If its got crap on it, wipe it down with a rag, then oil it. I get at least a year out of cheap SRAM PC48 chains with no maintenance other than a quick squirt with WD40, then a wipe down with a rag about once a month. I use Finish Line chain lube, the stuff for wet mountain bike races, but Phil's tenacious oil would also be good.
WD40 is a dispersant, but it's also a lubricant, go google it. It's just not a good lubricant in this application.
Remember, someth ing has to wear out in any application where you have loads of friction, by all means put on a super tough titanium nitrided chain, but then don't come crying back on here when it wears out your £35 chainring and £20 sprocket. Treat the chain as disposable and swap it regularly, at £4 a pop the PC48 has to be the best deal going. I pay more for my chain lube!

I agree with all your points,

thats why I only intend to buy a cheap chain.

Like I said, Ive ran a z chain on my bmx for 8years!

I know exactly what WD40 is and what its good for, - definteley not for "oiling" chains. (I use MTB graphite oil for that)

It is however good for helping to loosen rust.

My chain was really rusted soild, I did all manner of stuff trying to clean it (wd40, teflon spray, petrol, parraffin, soft wire brush) it would work now, but its brown & lumpy!

Without the stresses of gear shifting, any chain should last a couple years of hard riding in my opinion. Not 2 weeks.

I know if id remembered to clean the standard gold z chain, it wouldve done the job.

But like I said, its a total faff doing it so often.

So I expect these chains to be at least a little better.

just want to get the right length! - preferably in a 1/8x1/2 aswell.