The good news is that almost any bike cleaner can cope with the usual frame coating of soil samples, brake pad abrasion and chain grease. Different frame surfaces make a difference: Fine dirt particles adhere better to matt carbon tubes than to smooth paint. Anodised tubes offer the coating an even larger surface: shot peening creates many small micro-recesses in which dirt remains for the longest time. The highly specialised cleaners walk a fine line between aggressive dirt removal and gentle action: seals, tyre rubber and paintwork should survive the cleaning process undamaged. All manufacturers pay attention to health and environmental compatibility and test according to Euro regulations. Almost all of them are biodegradable. However, you can often only find out the exact details by asking the manufacturer. Only Dynamic also states the relevant OECD standard on the bottle. Nevertheless, they are cleaning agents: this does not mean you should drink them, even if some of the colours are more reminiscent of a cocktail. Gloves and safety goggles should be worn, especially when working with concentrates. Oil and grease on the chain and sprockets cannot be removed simply by cleaning. Additional preparatory work with degreaser or petroleum ether as well as brushing and wiping is required here. A good general tip is to dry the bike thoroughly. This is the only way to catch dissolved particles that would otherwise stick again when drying. Then you can shine again on the trails.
Precautionary tip
Brunox Turbo Spray penetrates rust, displaces water and dissolves tar. It protects and lubricates with an extremely thin oil film. It is therefore well suited as a preventive coating in dirty weather: Dirt adheres less well, repels water. For metals only!
12 Euro, 400 ml
www.brunox.com
How we tested the MTB cleaners
Test dirt mixture of forest soil, gravel sand, fermented leaves, puddle sediment, road dust with brake and tyre abrasion and water. Plus one per cent each of chain oil and assembly grease. This paste dried for a week on three frames: painted aluminium, anodised aluminium, matt carbon. A ridden, oily chain was disassembled into ten parts. Each cleaner had to try their hand at each part. All three material grades were included in the frame evaluation. The handling score includes dripping behaviour, operating ergonomics and tightness.
Atlantic complete cleaner
Price/Info 10,90 Euro/www.atlantic-oel.de
Contents Spray bottle 500 ml
Application time About 2 minutes
Mode of action Water-soluble multi-purpose cleaner; rinse with water; irritant ingredients
Application For metal, carbon and plastics
Environment (manufacturer's specification) K. A.
Valuation
Frame cleaning ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Chain cleaning ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Handling ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Conclusion Great for frames and components; also removes stubborn dirt. Not a chain cleaner!
BIKE judgement* very good
Dr Wack F100
14,99 Euro/www.wackchem.com
Spray bottle 1000 ml
5-10 min/max. 30 min (chain)
Adhesive gel with grease remover; rinse off with water; unproblematic ingredients
For metal, carbon and plastics; not for unpainted aluminium
Biodegradable according to OECD-302B
Valuation
Frame cleaning ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Chain cleaning ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Handling ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Conclusion Strong in effect and handling. Adheres very well. It does not remove chain dirt on its own.
BIKE judgement* super
Dynamic bike cleaner
10,90 Euro/www.vanbokhoven.de
Spray bottle 500 ml
1-2 minutes
Liquid ammonia-based cleaner; rinse with water; irritating ingredients
For metal, carbon and plastics
Biodegradable according to OECD-302B
Valuation
Frame cleaning ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Chain cleaning ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Handling ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Conclusion Powerful and efficient on all frames and parts. It does not manage the chain.
BIKE judgement* super
Finish Line Super Bike Wash
12,95 Euro/www.grofa.de
Spray bottle 1000 ml
As soon as foam has set in
Foaming liquid cleaner with rust inhibitors; rinse off with water; irritant ingredients.
For metal, carbon and plastics; use well aerated
Biodegradable
Valuation
Frame cleaning■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Chain cleaning ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Handling ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Conclusion Requires a lot of support by brushing and wiping. Often requires a second wash cycle. Not sufficient for chain dirt.
BIKE judgement* good
Motorex Bike Clean
Price/Info 9,90 Euro/www.motorex.com
Contents Spray bottle 500 ml
Application time Maximum 5 minutes
Mode of action Gel-like cleaning solution; rinse with water; irritating ingredients
Application For metal, carbon and plastics
Environment (manufacturer's specification) Biodegradable according to OECD-302B
Valuation
Frame cleaning ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Chain cleaning ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Handling ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Conclusion Very good cleaning of all types of frames. Adheres well. Not sufficient for chain/sprocket alone.
BIKE judgement* super
Muc-Off Nano Tech Bike Cleaner
13,99 Euro/www.sportsnut.de
Spray bottle 1000 ml
3-5 min. on wet bike
Liquid cleaner solution; rinse with water; apply to already wet surfaces
For metal, carbon and
plastics
Biodegradable according to OECD-302B
Valuation
Frame cleaning ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Chain cleaning ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Handling ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Conclusion Excellent dirt remover, slight weakness: the spray heads drip. Not sufficient for chain.
BIKE judgement* super
P.O.W. Ready to use
9,90 Euro/www.pro-offroad-wash.com
Spray bottle 1000 ml
5-10 minutes
Liquid cleaning solution; irritant ingredients
For metal, carbon and plastics;
Also available as a concentrate
Biodegradable
Valuation
Frame cleaning ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Chain cleaning ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Handling ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Conclusion Due to fine atomisation, the solution requires more application. Great effect on painted frames, ok on matt surfaces.
BIKE judgement* very good
Pedros Green Fizz
11,90 Euro/www.cosmicsports.de
Spray bottle 1000 ml
A few minutes
Highly foaming cleaner solution; rinse with water; no degreaser function (chain)
For metal, carbon and
plastics
Biodegradable
Valuation
Frame cleaning ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Chain cleaning ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Handling ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Conclusion Strong effect due to strong foaming and viscous flow. Very easy to aim. Relatively strong fat dissolving; somewhat weaker on carbon.
BIKE judgement* super
Squirt Lube Bio Bike Wash
8,90 Euro/www.squirtlube.de
Spray bottle 500 ml
A few minutes
Cleaner and degreaser concentrate; can be diluted up to 15 times, rinse with water; irritant!
For metal, carbon and
plastics
Biodegradable according to OECD-302B
Valuation
Frame cleaning ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Chain cleaning ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Handling ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Conclusion Good dirt remover. Relatively strong degreaser. Good on all surfaces. Spray lever difficult to operate.
BIKE judgement* very good
*The BIKE judgement is independent of price. BIKE judgements for frame rating: super, very good, good, satisfactory, with weaknesses, unsatisfactory.
