My favorite bike cleaning essentials are currently all on sale - 40% off Finish Line Bike Wash, 33% off Muc-Off chain lube

Brushes, degreasers and cleaning kits all reduced

Image shows road bike drivechain being cleaned with a sponge
(Image credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Jump to category:
By
published

While it's nice to keep your bike clean and running smoothly at all times, it becomes something of a necessity during the winter months. 

Certainly fitting your ride with a set of the best bike fenders goes along way in keeping the worst of the muck away. However, if you're riding with regularity it's likely you'll still need to clean and lubricate to ensure that it doesn't become an encrusted mess, with moving parts grinding to halt. Keeping said parts clean and lubed also prolongs their life.

Finish Line Citrus Degreaser:  was $12.99now $10.98 at Competitive Cyclist

Finish Line Citrus Degreaser:  was $12.99, now $10.98 at Competitive Cyclist

I've used this degreaser over the years with success - and the smell's a little more pleasant than others I've tried. This 20% deal is for the aerosol that coats your drivechain in a biodegradable foam that goes to work on grime quickly. However, if you need to remove a particularly dirty chain or cassette from the bike and let it soak in some diluted degreaser then there'a also 20% off the pour can version.

UK: was £11.99, now £8.99 at Sigma Sports

View Deal
Finish Line Super Bike Wash: was $13.99now $11.19 at Backcountry

Finish Line Super Bike Wash: was $13.99, now $11.19 at Backcountry

While you can use soapy water and a sponge to clean your bike, a dedicated bike wash can do a better job of removing the mud and grime without the need to scrub again - which can end up scratching your frame. I've used Finish Line's bike wash and found that it did just that, allowing me to just use a hose to finish the job off.

UK: was £13.00, now £7.80 at Tweeks Cycles

View Deal
Finish Line Mechanic's brush set: was $24.99now $16.99 at Walmart

Finish Line Mechanic's brush set: was $24.99, now $16.99 at Walmart

Once you've added degreaser and bike wash to the relevant parts, the tough part of the job begins. However, cleaning your bike becomes far easier when you have the right tools for the job. This brush set features five individual brushes designed for specific areas of the bicycle including a stiffer bristled option for cassettes, a large soft one for frame cleaning and a small one for those tricky areas like front derailleurs.

UK: was £14.99, now £12.99 from Wiggle

View Deal
Muc-Off Wet Lube:was $10.99,now $9.85 at Amazon

Muc-Off Wet Lube: was $10.99, now $9.85 at Amazon

Now that your bike is clean and free of grime, it's time to re-lubricate some of the moving parts - most notably the chain. Which lube you use is a matter of choice and season. During the winter months a wetter lube works well unless you happen to live in a dry region. I like Muc-Off's offering that's easy to apply without waste and does a good job of shedding water and muck.

UK: was £11.99, now £8.39 at Halfords

View Deal
Muc-Off Dry Lube:was $11.99now $9.86 at Amazon

Muc-Off Dry Lube: was $11.99, now $9.86 at Amazon

If you're after a dry lube, Muc-Off can also help. It's a biodegradable wax-based formula which creates a barrier of sorts, helping to keep the dust and grime away. It can also be  applied to the pivots in your front and rear derailleurs, which can start to seize up over time, impacting the speed of your shifting. This deal is for the 4.06fl.oz / 120ml size.

UK: was £12.00, now £7.99 at Sigma Sports

Muc-Off Ultimate Bicycle Care Kit:was $129.99now $99.90 at Amazon

Muc-Off Ultimate Bicycle Care Kit: was $129.99, now $99.90 at Amazon

However, if you're starting from scratch or just want to completely refresh your cleaning supplies, a complete kit is a great option. This one from Muc-Off has everything you need including a sponge, cleaning and detailing brushes, cleaners and lube - and it all comes in a handy tool box.

UK: was £100.00, now £65.99 at Merlin Cycles 

Luke Friend
Freelance writer

Luke Friend has worked as a writer, editor and copywriter for twenty five years. Across books, magazines and websites, he's covered a broad range of topics for a range of clients including Major League Baseball, the National Trust and the NHS. He has an MA in Professional Writing from Falmouth University and is a qualified bicycle mechanic. He has been a cycling enthusiast from an early age, partly due to watching the Tour de France on TV. He's a keen follower of bike racing to this day as well as a regular road and gravel rider. 

Latest