Finish Line Speed Degreaser

Finish Line Speed Bike Degreaser is an aerosol spray, designed to clean drivetrains and disc brakes. However, despite its references to 'turbo sprayers' and other miracle muck-removing, time-saving technology, Speed Degreaser is disappointing compared with cheaper, store branded competitors.

Like most spray degreasers, it's essentially a highly volatile mix of solvents and propellant. The instructions warn that it's highly flammable and that ingestion may prove fatal. Hence I've used ours in the open air, far away from smoking neighbours, pilot lights and other sources of ignition.

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With that in mind, give the mix a vigorous 30-second shake, aim, and spray in short bursts. The compressed gases are designed to deliver the solvent component very forcefully.

Generally speaking, when deep cleaning I remove the rear wheel and blast the cassette while tilting it toward the ground to discourage the solvent from sneaking past or doing nasty things to seals. It also prevents stray lube from the chain contaminating rear disc/pads.

Finish Line also suggests the Speed Degreaser can damage delicate paintwork. I've minimised contact for precisely this reason, and to date, there's no obvious sign of taint, even on my Univega's flamboyant enamel livery.

Oily, impacted grot literally slithered from cassettes, rings, cleat mechanisms and disc rotors before evaporating. No need for scrubbing, rinsing or drying... So goes the theory. This seemed good, rather than great when presented with simpler ISO/PTFE wet/dry lubes and greases.

There's a plug-in straw included so you can get the solvent into areas like chain links but I found the best technique is to deliver Speed Degreaser via a chain bath, then spin the cranks before it has time to evaporate. This also minimises wastage, overspray and potential damage to painted, plated or polished surfaces. Otherwise, just spraying the solvent into place gave distinctly average results. More basic wet formulas and 10W40 motor oil took two generous helpings before they'd lift, and even then required a cat-lick with a clean rag.

More sophisticated lubricant blends such as the Rock n' Roll range tested last year required at least three helpings and concerted tickling from a stiff brush. True, these are particularly durable – I was still running its Absolute Dry through November – but putting this into context, B'Twin's aerosol degreaser (part of the cleaning kit I tested in 2015) stripped this and others within a few seconds of contact.

Talking of stripping, while quick blasts to tainted mechs shouldn't pose any problem, extended fettling left my hands feeling a little dry and wishing I had donned some protective gloves.

Convenience is the keyword with aerosols. Brush-on concentrates such as Fenwick's FS1 or Green Oil degreaser are much better bets for everyday cleaning, and work out much cheaper.

Bottom line: Finish Line Speed Bike Degreaser seems over-hyped and with little real advantage over those costing considerably less.

Verdict

Okay for cleaning disc rotors and removing basic lubes, but doesn't live up to promise or price tag