Bicycle Cleaners

Where do you start when washing a bike?

The order matters: frame first, drivetrain last. Do it the other way round and you spread chain grease over the whole bike.

Rinse the frame with water, apply OC1 Bicycle Cleaner to a dry or slightly damp surface, wait two or three minutes and rinse off. The product dissolves the dirt on its own — scrubbing is unnecessary and only risks scratches. It is safe for paintwork, carbon, aluminium, rubber and plastic.

For several bikes, or for a workshop, the 5 l canister is more practical. With no water available, a waterless cleaner does the job.

What degreases a chain and cassette?

The drivetrain needs a different product from the frame. An ordinary cleaner will not cope with old lubricant mixed with sand — that calls for a degreaser.

OC1 Chain Cleaner dissolves old lubricant and deposits instantly, without brushing. The aerosol works at any angle, so it reaches between the links and inside the rollers. It is safe for chains with O-rings.

Spray the chain while turning the cranks backwards, wait 2–3 minutes, wipe with a cloth and rinse. Clean the cassette and derailleurs at the same time — dirty sprockets grind down a new chain exactly as a dirty chain grinds down sprockets.

⚠ After degreasing, the chain must be completely dry before lubricant goes on.

What should you use on brake rotors?

This is the one place on a bike where a mistake costs safety. Any oily product on a rotor or pad means squealing and lost braking power, and a contaminated pad usually cannot be saved.

Rotors are cleaned with a dedicated product only: OC1 Brake Cleaner for routine degreasing, or Power Brake Cleaner for heavier contamination and brake dust. Both evaporate without residue.

Never use a universal cleaner, a lubricant or a multi-purpose spray on rotors.

What should you avoid when washing?

A pressure washer aimed at bearings — keep the jet away from the bottom bracket, hubs and headset. Water punches through the seals and flushes out grease, and you will only see the result weeks later.

Dry wiping — sand rubbed with a dry cloth acts like sandpaper. Rinse first.

Leaving the bike wet — after washing, dry the drivetrain and lubricate the chain. Moisture in the links is the shortest route to corrosion.

Small parts have their own products too: lens cleaner for glasses and goggles leaves no streaks, and glue remover takes off tape and sticker residue.

A ready kit for washing and lubricating: bike cleaning and lubrication bundle.