Clean Chains - Chain Maintenance

Replacing a chain is so wasteful, when five minutes of work every couple of weeks can keep them going longer. Like you say, a quick wipe down and lube is all it takes.

I have to agree usually ...

However I have been running the same chain for a year on my Mountain Bike/Beater with almost zero maintenence ... I have ridden off road ... ridden to work and uni everyday for some time, I think I have lubed the chain 3 or 4 times max in that time and never clean it off... the bike is running alright even though the chain looked fucked. I accept that if it wasn't a single speed it probably be working awful ... but that is why I ride a single speed as a commuter ... buggar all maintenence.

My brake cables need more lubing than the chain does. Modern chains are just soo damn good they don't really need the attention.