Chain cleaning and speed?

A bicycle chain can be very efficient: one study reported efficiencies as high as 98.6%.[1] The study, performed in a clean laboratory environment, found that efficiency was not greatly affected by the state of lubrication.[1] A larger sprocket will give a more efficient drive, reducing the movement angle of the links. Higher chain tension was found to be more efficient: "This is actually not in the direction you'd expect, based simply on friction.

I found this at wiki, personally, I would think that efficiency would be affected but they say it is not greatly.

dirt vs speed?

nothing

though it will raise your effective speed, if you can delay replacing a chain longer

less maintenance time per mile

though, well, then you increase cleaning time

as far as your question

'1 or 2 gears h igher' doesn;t make sense

i mean it does but no real cyclist measures performance by number of gears higher

also, the chain dirt cannot make that much difference

the difference was either you, or mistaken measurements, or wind conditions [not comparing apples to apples]

wle

Chains are pretty efficient even when dirty. Tire pressure will make more of a difference then anything else.

bill you're cleansing your chain some distance more beneficial many times than is really mandatory. a set is such an low-value piece to replace .... sparkling them purely once you experience ti is really mandatory or impacting the different factors. i exploit and former Pedro cleansing unit that clips over the chain cleansing device. it extremely works o.ok. and is not messy in case you're taking your time and straightforward.. Soccerref

I thiink cleaning helps it ride smoother but not faster but i could be wrong.