Bike cleaners and degreasers

Three different products, three jobs not to mix up

This is the most common mix-up in this category, and it damages components. A bike cleaner, a degreaser and a brake cleaner do different jobs; used in the wrong place, two of them can cause damage.

• Bike cleaner is applied to the frame, wheels and components. It is formulated not to damage paint, stickers or seals. It is the cleaner you use in the greatest quantity during maintenance.
• The degreaser is designed for the drivetrain: chain, cassette, chainrings and jockey wheels. It dissolves oils, including those in bearings, so it must never soak a hub, bottom bracket or suspension seal, and it must always be rinsed off.
• Disc brake cleaner is the only product suitable for use near a brake disc. It evaporates without leaving a residue. Everything else — lubricant, degreaser, polish — contaminates the brake pads, and a contaminated brake pad squeals, loses braking power and cannot really be restored. It is one of the most avoidable workshop repairs.

Concentrate or ready to use

A bottle of concentrate can be diluted to make several litres of cleaner, at a cost per litre far below that of ready-to-use sprays. The most economical approach is simple: concentrate for regular washes and a ready-to-use spray for quick clean-ups and touch-ups.

The order of washing

Degrease the drivetrain first, so that any splashes can be washed away afterwards. Then foam the bike, leave it to work without letting it dry in the sun, brush, rinse at low pressure, dry — and only then relubricate the chain. Washing after lubricating means starting all over again.

Bike washing equipment

• Some brushes of different shapes : a long, narrow brush for the seatstays and between the spokes, a conical brush for tyres and rims, and a stiff brush for the cassette and jockey wheels.
• A microfibre wash mitt fits around tubes and contours where a sponge slides off.
• A air blower displaces water from hard-to-reach areas and the drivetrain, helping prevent corrosion and speeding up drying before lubrication.
• Some separate microfibre cloths, which must never be used on brake discs after wiping down a chain.

Finishing products and biodegradable options

A polish makes the next wash easier by stopping mud from sticking, while a protective wax makes the effect last longer. Neither should go on a braking surface, brake disc or grip. Finally, since most bikes are washed outside the home, above a drain, biodegradable formulas biodegradable are not just a marketing claim: they matter because the wash water may enter the storm drain system.

To find out more: How to choose bike cleaners and degreasers

See also: Bike lubricants and greases · Pressure washers for bikes · Bike protection