Be honest – how good does your bike chain look right now? Is it sparkling and clean or so clogged with mud and dirt you can barely see it? If you’re now feeling embarrassed because you know the answer isn’t good, it’s time to introduce you to the world of the most effective bike chain degreasers.
These humble chain degreasers aren’t the most obvious thing you’d buy to help protect your bike, but they are among the most powerful investments you can make. If you want your chain to last longer and perform better, here are some of the the best options to go with:
We’ve scoured the market to create a collection of top picks for you. We’ve got seven versatile and impressive products here, all chosen for their performance, price, and features.
Protecting your chain is going to give you a smoother ride, one that is less prone to problems with your chain. Hop on and let’s take a tour of the best bike chain degreasers that are sure to revolutionize the way you clean that chain.
- 1 The Best Bike Chain Degreaser
- 1.1 1. Finish Line Speed Bicycle Chain Degreaser
- 1.2 2. Finish Line Citrus Degreaser Bicycle Degreaser
- 1.3 3. Park Tool CB-4 Bio Chainbrite Bicycle Chain Cleaning Fluid
- 1.4 4. Finish Line 1-Step Bicycle Chain Cleaner
- 1.5 5. WD-40 BIKE: All-Conditions Chain Degreaser
- 1.6 6. White Lightning Clean Streak Bicycle Degreaser
- 1.7 7. Pedro’s Pig Juice Chain Cleaner
The Best Bike Chain Degreaser
1. Finish Line Speed Bicycle Chain Degreaser
This 18oz aerosol bottle isn’t easy to misplace, given its bright yellow outer design.
The most popular product in the Finish Line degreaser range, the turbo sprayer ensures you can get an even coating on your bike chain. Fast to clean and strip away all the dirt and residue, it then dries in moments.
No need to brush anything off and no need to rinse your chain in water. This is the best bike chain degreaser if you don’t want to get your hands dirty, but you don’t want your chain to be dirty either.
2. Finish Line Citrus Degreaser Bicycle Degreaser
This pleasant citrus-based product uses orange peel coupled with soy-based extracts to provide you with a biodegradable formula that is safe to use. It won’t damage your tires or any plastic bike parts either.
Even though it is made from various natural ingredients, it is still strong enough to be diluted, so you can use it for other cleaning jobs on your bike.
Designed to penetrate further to clean more deeply, this chain degreaser can be poured into a receptacle or brushed onto the chain as desired. As such, it provides a versatile option when you want an alternative to a cleaning spray.
3. Park Tool CB-4 Bio Chainbrite Bicycle Chain Cleaning Fluid
This Park Tool degreaser comes in a 16oz bottle, giving you plenty for all kinds of tasks. The formula has been designed to be used in conjunction with Park Tool chain scrubbers.
Alternatively, you can use it as a general-purpose bike degreaser, so one bottle offers multiple uses. Made from plant-based ingredients, CB-4 Bio Chainbrite provides a 100% biodegradable option that causes no damage to alloy, plastic, or rubber bicycle parts.
This highly rated chain degreaser is a good all-rounder if you want a versatile solution that’s good for more than just your bike chain.
4. Finish Line 1-Step Bicycle Chain Cleaner
This appealing chain cleaner is available in three sizes – 4oz, 8oz, and 17oz, providing options for all users.
The squeeze bottle is easy to use, and the product quickly gets rid of contaminants, dirt, and grit from your chain. It also provides vital lubrication to keep your chain running smoothly.
This is a quick option that is easy to apply in one step, hence the name. Perfect for commuters and casual cyclists, just squeeze the cleaner onto your chain and go.
Complete lubrication and protection against rust, it’s also one of the best chain degreasers for your bike if you plan on storing your bike away for a while.
5. WD-40 BIKE: All-Conditions Chain Degreaser
This All-Conditions degreaser is one of a series of bike-related cleaning products from the famous WD-40 brand.
The 10oz can is formulated to act fast and is perfect for cleaning and protecting your gears along with your bike chain. Get rid of grease and grime while supporting the performance of your chain.
Acts fast and leaves no residue behind, giving you a simple and quick method for complete protection. Contains no citrus and comes with full application instructions on the rear of the can.
Foams beautifully on application; clean dirt off with a stiff brush, and rinse and dry to reveal your clean chain and gears.
6. White Lightning Clean Streak Bicycle Degreaser
Available in three sizes – 12oz, 14oz, and 23oz – this Clean Streak degreaser is perfect for multiple uses.
It cleans and protects chains, gears, disc brake rotors, and derailleurs. Grease, dirt, and grime are broken down and taken away from the working parts.
Your cleaning job is made easier still by the fact this product does not need to be washed off. It dries in minutes, leaving your bike with clean working parts free from dirt and grime.
It also offers a low surface tension, making it the perfect choice to clean the internal bushings too.
7. Pedro’s Pig Juice Chain Cleaner
This is certainly the best chain degreaser if we’re going on name alone. The Pig Juice chain cleaner comes in a convenient 4oz size.
Offering a complete cleaner and degreaser in one, it gets rid of all grease, dirt, dust, grime, and lubricant. It is also safe to use even when it gets in contact with paint, rubber, plastic, and many other bike parts.
Free of solvents and biodegradable, the product is derived from plants and is available at a great price too.
The simple four-step cleaning process takes you from application through scrubbing, rinsing, and drying to make your chain look and feel better than ever.
Choosing a Bike Chain Degreaser
Every part of a bike, from the tires to the saddle, has an important role to play. But let’s be honest – some parts get neglected a little more than others. When was the last time you degreased your bike chain, for example?
You probably don’t even give the chain a thought unless it slips off and you end up getting mucky hands trying to put it back in place. But if it was regularly cleaned and degreased, you likely wouldn’t be faced with that challenge to start with.
The advantages of a well-kept bicycle chain
There are more than you might think:
- It works better
- It lasts longer
- It stops grit and dirt clogging up your gears
- It makes slipped gears less likely
- It experiences way less stress than a dirty chain
Another major advantage is that a decent degreaser formulated for bicycle chains isn’t even that expensive. Yet it could save you money on repairs you wouldn’t have needed if your chain was always in good condition.
What should you look for when buying bike chain degreaser?
There are several elements to look for:
- Ease of use – can you use it out of the bottle or can without requiring any other tools?
- Drying time – the faster the better, to enable you to get back on your bike ASAP
- Safe to use – you don’t want to accidentally cause damage if the degreaser gets over any other part of your bike, such as the tires or frame
- Biodegradable – so we can all do our bit for the environment
- Anti-corrosion – bike chains can corrode over time, reducing performance and lifespan; a good degreaser should prevent this
- Gets rid of the nasty stuff – grit, dirt, and oil all have a detrimental effect on your bike chain, so a good degreaser should be powerful enough to get rid of all these elements
- Water resistant – when you’re out cycling in bad weather, the right degreaser applied ahead of time should protect your chain against water damage
- Non-toxic – this is for your safety along with the safety of the environment (don’t assume biodegradable means the same thing – instead, look for both labels to be sure of getting a good quality product)
How should the bike degreaser be used?
Not all products work the same way. Always read the instructions and make sure you follow them to the letter. Some come in trigger bottles, enabling you to spray the product directly onto your chain. Some need to be poured into a container before you lower your chain into it for a soak. Some need to be rinsed off after use, while others are designed to stay on and dry where they are to offer protection.
You might prefer one type over another. For example, if speed is important, a fast-drying product in a trigger bottle would be ideal.
Is it a bike cleaner as well?
It is vital to read the product name and description before purchase. Sounds obvious, yes? It is a good idea here, because some degreasers are just that. However, other degreaser products are cleaners too. We’re not nitpicking, either – some products are labeled as ideal for using all over your bike. So, if you need a good cleaning product as well, it might be a good bet to pick something that can be used for both purposes.
Prolonging the life of your chain
Your chain is one of the most important parts of your bike, whether you have a mountain bike or a road bike. Either way, investing in a good bicycle chain degreaser/cleaner could be the best thing you do this year.
Conclusion
Finding a degreaser that is good to the environment and safe for you to use is just as important as finding one that works. We’re all going to have different needs when looking for the best bike chain degreaser. The good news is that the marketplace does have room for all these products.
Think about how and when you’re going to use the product before you buy it. If you’re after a quick and easy method, look for a fast-drying one that requires no scrubbing.
If you tend to go off-road a lot, you might be better with a degreaser that works best with scrubbing. Either way, there are great products on our recommended list for you to consider.