Should you degrease a new bicycle chain

[Arcturus]

From reading online, this is quite a dividing subject. So I might as well check what do you recommend. Should I just install it as it is or should I degrease it and then apply a chain lube?

 

[BikeGremlin]

From reading online, this is quite a dividing subject. So I might as well check what do you recommend. Should I just install it as it is or should I degrease it and then apply a chain lube?

Chains from the factory are submerged into liquid (heated) mix of oil, grease (and probably some wax) as a way to conserve them from rusting. That stuff catches a lot of dust and dirt. But, it is also quite durable (stays on the chain for very long and keeps it lubricated better and longer than any chain lube I've tried).

• If you plan to use wax (modern these days), you should definitely degrease your chain completely before applying wax.
  For that I use a degreaser (diesel is fine), then soapy water, then 96+ % alcohol from supermarkets.
• If you plan to use some super "bicycle chain lube" that is liquid, I suppose you will also want to degrease your chain, but you needn't be as thorough as when using wax.
• For "normal chain oiling," it is enough to just wipe the outside of the chain.
  I usually give a new chain a quick wipe before I install it (to have less grease on my hands), and then, after I've mounted it, I give it a few spins while holding a cotton rag that is "wet" with a little bit of diesel - that removes any grease from the outside, while leaving it on the inside, between the rollers and pins (where i t matters).