Grime stoppers
For a squeak-free ride and a longer-lasting bike, a proper cleaner is a must
There are lots of things to love about winter rides, but a filthy bike is not one of them. Of course there are measures that can be taken to protect a bike from winter grime, but even the best mudguards aren’t enough on their own. To keep things squeaky clean and running smoothly, what’s really needed is a specially formulated bike cleaner spray.
‘A bike cleaner spray is an all-over spray that’s safe for use on all parts of the bike,’ explains Rob Cook of Juice Lubes distributor Velobrands. ‘Spray it on, agitate with a brush and then rinse off.’
Doing this on a regular basis will ensure your bike always looks its best, but keeping it sparkling clean is about much more than just appearances. It’s a vital part of bike maintenance and particularly important during the winter months, when grit and dirt from the road is most likely to find its way onto frames and into components, which can create issues if not dealt with correctly.
‘Dirt can hide serious problems such as cracks and corrosion, and can cause excessive wear and tear,’ says Jonathon Smith, managing director of Fenwicks. ‘Conversely, a clean, wellmaintained bike will give years of service.’
‘Insufficient cleaning will result in poor performance and more time spent in the workshop,’ adds Cook. ‘Good maintenance and regular cleaning will ensure the best performance from your bike. A clean bike is more enjoyable to ride than a dirty one – it’s quieter and there will be a lower chance of shady shifting and preventable rates of wear.’
Soap drama
So what’s wrong with just using a bucket of warm, soapy water? According to Cook, it’s all about having the right tool for the job.
‘The main difference is that a good bike cleaner has been formulated for the specific task at hand. You wouldn’t use bike cleaner to wash your dishes, so why use dish soap to clean your bike?’
In fact, according to Muc-off’s product manager, Andrew Syme, using the wrong products to clean a bike can have disastrous results. Non-specific cleaning products, he says, can lead to damaged components, ruined paint jobs and accelerated corrosion. They can also be more harmful to the environment, which is why a proper bike cleaner spray should always be the first port of call.
‘Muc-off Nano Tech, our specially developed bike cleaner, is designed to be safe on your bike’s delicate finish and components,’ says Syme. ‘The surfactants and active ingredients in the formula help the cleaner cling to the surface longer, which decreases the tension of the dirt and gently breaks it down. The formula contains a special anti-corrosion additive, so it won’t corrode your parts, and offers multi-metal protection. On top of that, we’ve formulated the cleaner to ensure it
doesn’t affect braking performance. It’s also free from acids, CFCS, solvents, is non-caustic and readily biodegradable.’
All-over sprays are great for general cleaning, but when it comes to keeping specific components sufficiently scrubbed, more focussed cleaners are required.
‘Beyond Nano Tech we have Bio Drivetrain Cleaner, Bio Chain Cleaner, Disc Brake Cleaner and a Waterless Wash for post-ride wipedowns out and about as well,’ says Syme. ‘There are even cleaners for accessories, such as our Helmet Visor & Goggle Cleaner.’
Many brands also offer concentrated cleaners, which help reduce plastic waste and can be a good way to save money. Simply add a small amount to a spray bottle, top it up with water and you’re good to go.
Cleaner planet
Moving forwards, Juice Lubes’ Cook expects to see an even bigger shift towards green bikecleaning products. Not just in terms of reducing plastic, but also in terms of the chemicals used and in making eco-friendly products more affordable to consumers.
‘There will no doubt be an ongoing focus for cleaning products to continue to be ecofriendly,’ says Cook. ‘There will also be a focus to reduce the carbon footprint of products, to reduce plastic waste and to be more environmentally conscious as a whole.
‘Consumers will also have to change their purchasing habits and support new initiatives. For example, there’s likely to be a greater focus on the sale of concentrated cleaner rather than ready-to-use one-litre trigger sprays, but the brand should be able to deliver the solution at a competitive price to incentivise the user to change their habits.’
Fenwicks’ Smith agrees: ‘We already produce a safe-to-use, biodegradable, highly concentrated bike cleaner, packaged in recycled plastic bottles. We have already reduced the carbon footprint, environmental impact and cost to the consumer significantly. That said, there’s always room for improvement and I think the circular economy is where we need to invest more. We must find ways of producing what we need out of what we have already produced and discarded. We need to live and consume more sustainably.’
Non-specific cleaning products can lead to damaged components, ruined paint jobs and accelerated corrosion