Product reviews aren’t always about the newest and most expensive products. Sometimes, there’s a product that just works so well that it is a gamechanger for you. For me, it would be the Super Bike Wash and Speed Bike Degreaser from Finish Line. Both products have made a big impact in maintaining my fleet of bikes.
Speed Bike Degreaser is a dry cleaner. That might sound odd since you spray it, but here’s what I mean. Speed Bike Degreaser shoots out of the can under pressure using an ozone safe aerosol propellant, which is one of the things that helps it work so well. It uses a special mix of solvents that cuts through grease, dirt, and grime that you pick up during your ride, but when it dries, it leaves nothing behind. No residue, no solvents, you can actually apply lube almost immediately after use and do not need to rinse the drivetrain.
The Super Bike Wash checks off a lot of boxes for me before I even used it. It’s non-toxic, biodegradable and safe to use on carbon, aluminum, titanium, steel, plastic, really just about anything on your bike. It’s meant for cleaning frames, but can also be used to clean up drivetrain grime. It can be used inside by spraying on and wiping off, or outside and rising off with a hose.
Cut the Crap!
When I used to work in a shop, the Speed Bike Degreaser was my go-to when really neglected bikes would come in. The bikes that haven’t had any love in years, probably left outside a good bit, and everything is covered in a thick, sticky grease and rust. This is where the Speed Bike Degreaser shines. It allowed me to quickly blast off the grime and get the drivetrain cleaned with minimal work. Many times, I would pedal the bike while on the stand, and spray the chain, cassette, and derailleur while everything was moving. This made quick work of cleaning, and I was able to get the bike lubed back up quickly and ready to finish tuning up.
While my bikes never get to that point, there have been some times that using the straw attachment helps to clean out some hard-to-reach areas, like cassettes or derailleur pulleys. I’ve used it to help clean pivot points on bike racks that are used all winter long, and most recently, on the lock on my roof rack. Just a quick shot into the lock tumbler helped loosen things up and allow the locks to work again.
Make it Pretty!
I’ve tried a lot of different bike washes out there from a bunch of different brands. All of them work well, but there were certain things that just never got completely clean. For example, my Van Dessel Full Tilt Boogies have a matte finish, which can be really hard to clean, especially the white sections on my main gravel/cyclocross rig. It was almost like the paint got stained, and I just couldn’t get it clean. I tried other washes, and while the rest of the bike got clean, I could never get rid of the spots. That is until a package from Finish Line arrived.
I was cleaning the bike to prepare for an upcoming gravel event, but also just to give it a good, deep cleaning. I started with another pink cleaner, and it was working okay, but as I mentioned earlier, there were just some things that weren’t coming off no matter how hard I scrubbed. About halfway through, I decided to grab the Finish Line Super Bike Wash, and that’s when things changed. With one spray and just a little bit of scrubbing, the marks that I just couldn’t get off were gone. I was thoroughly impressed, and have used it exclusively since.
For dried-on dirt and grime, I try and knock it off with a rag first before I start spraying. From there, I usually spray about half the frame with maybe 3-4 pulls of the handle. I’ll grab my clean shop rag, and start wiping the bike down to clean it. For hard-to-clean grime, like dried on sports drink, I might give it an extra spray, but it all comes off pretty easily. Since I do most of my cleaning inside, I just wipe the bike down, and I’m done, but if you are outside with a hose, feel free to give it a spray.
Afterwards, I do usually try to use a polish or protectant to help keep the bike cleaner for longer. I have a few different products I’ve used, but Finish Line does offer their Showroom Polish and Protectant that uses Teflon to clean and protect.
Get Yours!
You can find FinishLine products at many local bike shops and online, but either way, their products won’t break the bank. The Speed Bike Degreaser comes in a 17 ounce recyclable steel can for $11.99. Unless you are constantly working on nasty bikes, the can should last you quite some time.
As for the Super Bike Wash, you’ll probably grab the 1 liter bottle at $12.99. When that runs out, which again, should last you quite some time, refills save you a few bucks at $9.99, but also helps the environment by reusing the sprayer. If you go through a lot, you can grab a 16 ounce concentrate, which makes 4 liters, for $8.99 or the gallon jug for $32.99
As I said before, it’s not always the expensive flashy items that make a big difference for me. A clean bike is a fast bike, and a clean bike is a good looking bike. Finding those products that makes your life easier or just works the best, can make all the difference. FinishLine has some great products in the Speed Bike Degreaser and Super Bike Wash. And on that note, time to go wash my bike.
Heckling Editor, Image Taker, Crash Test Dummy, and Beard Master at Bikeworldnews.com
~Veggie Powered Athlete~
Location – Lancaster, PA
Current Testing Rigs – 2024 Van Dessel Arch65, 2019 Van Dessel Full Tilt Boogie, 2018 Van Dessel Motivus Maximus LTD, 2016 Van Dessel Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, 2015 Bianchi Sempre Pro, 1978 Trek TX900
Dream Bike – I’ll tell you when they make it
Discipline – Cyclocross, gravel, road and duathlons (ride/run)
Favorite Rides – Quiet country roads of Amish Country, some of the best roads around.
Food of Choice – Sweet potato roll
Beer of Choice – Unibroue Grand Reserve 17, aged four years
Bourbon of Choice – Widow Jane 10 Year