In the case of sealed chains, Im not entirely sure that we accomplish anything by lubricating. The lube that's needed is all sealed up inside.
Lube or wax can help prevent rust, however the gold anodized chains are quite resistant to rust with or without a spray coating.
The lube effect on rollers and sprocket teeth is all gone after a mile or two, unless you have an oiled splashing a constant stream on the chain and everything else ( no thanks)
So why do we fuss with the chain sprays on sealed chains?
I think it feels good, like lubricating non lube Featherlight cables. Venhills acknowledged that many of their customers do this and that it won't destroy their cables, just gum them up a bit and make the bike owner feel good about maintenance.
I'm the same, have been spraying /lubing these prelubricated sealed chains for eons. Always felt guilty on days that I forgot to spray the chain when out on a tour. Not that it ever really made a noticeable difference!
Some of this may be a throwback to the days of rapid wearing unsealed chains, boiling chains in oil and all that. They still wore out at a crazy rate. Remember needing to adjust the chain every three or four hundred miles? That was wear happening at a high rate. I'm not sure if the chain boiling helped with things or just attracted stuck on grit to the process!
I'm currently running one gold anodized sealed chain without additional spray lube as a test.
Will report the results. So far I can't see any wear difference from those that get sprayed, but it is early days. The rear wheel has become easy clean.
Actually, it just stays clean as does the rest of the bike.
Glen
