New Chain - to clean or not to clean that is the question

I have read different articles on the web regarding cleaning new chains. Sheldon Brown has the view that the lube found on a new chain is better than any after market lube and therefore should never be removed. However other people's experience (including mine) find that every thing sticks to it as it is so tacky.

Anyone have any views would be welcomed.

Personnally I clean it off. However, I only recall buying new chains in the summer the trails are dry so as you say everything would stick to it.

Perhaps it would be ok to leave it on in these conditions.

I always believed that the stuff was just applied in the factories to stop the chain rusting while it sat on the shop shelf.