Quick update: 7500 miles on and the chain hasn't even cut into the block deeper than about 6-7mm. The manufacturers claim 6000km (km not miles!) so I can safely say they have it completely wrong. The lack of oil means the side plates get surface rust on them. The first time I noticed the rust I used a brass wire brush to remove it. Since then I have wiped the chain with a clean cloth to clean it and then with a oily cloth just to prevent any rust. When it's wet I do this every weekend and when it's dry I do it every 2nd weekend (more or less anyway
) It takes less then 5 mins to wipe it clean and wipe it with the oily cloth.
Not having any oil on the chain that flings off means I have a bike with a clean tail end except for whatever comes off the road. It also means there's no oil for dirt to cling to and form a grinding past to wear my chain down. When I wipe it clean with a cloth I can hear all the rollers spinning and it's a good indication for me that things are still working. I have yet to check the front sprocket (will do that with the next service), but the rear sprocket looks to be in very good condition. The other nice thing about this is that it lubes just as well in torrential rain than it does in the dry. Since the chain drags over a block of carbon wax it also means the faster you go the more it lubes and vice versa.
Only problem I have is that I have rust around the rear metal parts on the bike that used to be covered by oil all the time, with out all the oil flinging everywhere I have to remember to ACF-50 things back there better
I have very high hopes for it now and I hope I don't get disappointed when I remove the front sprocket cover! I'll keep everyone updated as things goes along.
How are the other people with this getting on with it? Is it just Countrysailor and me so far?