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Green Oil Bicycle Brush

7
£9.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Sturdy and very effective brush but not my first choice for paintwork
Weight: 
0g
Contact: 
www.green-oil.net

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Reverend Audane here; dropping by to report that Green Oil Bicycle Brush makes short work of post-ride clean ups, effortlessly purging the demon filth from tyres, rims, cassettes and other drivetrain components. However, contrary to the blurb, prolonged testing suggests the biodegradable bristles aren't the kindest to thinner frame finishes, or indeed the latest generation of sophisticated polymer handlebar coverings.

Common to the Green oil family, environmental credentials match the grime busting capabilities. Measuring a prodigious twenty-four centimetres, the hefty wooden handle is made in the UK from sustainably sourced rubber trees that have reached the end of their five-year life cycle. Drilled straight for the tool board, the spiked end is shaped to oust congealed gunge from derailleur jockey wheels while the graduated bristle plot is designed to be left in warm water so as to mould effortlessly to the differing needs of paintwork, rims, chains, cassettes and other drivetrain without recourse to other tools.

For best results, arrange two buckets, one for washing, the other rinsing. Give machines a liberal dousing with bike wash and leave marinating for a minute or two or so while the bristles soften. Starting at the handlebars and moving systematically around the bike using light pressure and a routine of dip, scrub, rinse saw tainted cork wrap, saddles, polished alloy components, recessed cleats and even knobbly 'cross/mtb rubber suitably revived and race-ready in a matter of twenty minutes.

Alternating pressure dependant upon the surface, I was almost prepared to accept this might be the holy grail-the perfect bike cleaning package when I caught sight of the fresh and unsightly swirls left in frame livery and lacquer alike. This wasn't isolated to notoriously delicate flamboyant enamels-factory fresh two-pac and super-tough powder coating also fell victim. Mercifully T-cut saved the day but my humble car sponge won't be collecting its pension anytime soon.

Verdict

Sturdy and very effective brush but not my first choice for paintwork

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Green Oil Bicycle Brush

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

"The Green Oil Bicycle Brush had the rider, and the environment in mind. Rather than plastic, the Bicycle Brush has a burly wood handle. The ergonomic handle is made from sustainably sourced wood too, so when a tree is cut, another is planted.

Why buy a set of brushes, when you can buy one quality Green Oil Bicycle Brush?"

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Sustainably sourced wood from the rubber tree, graduated biodegradable bristle

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

Reassuringly solid, yet fairly agile with it.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

There's no doubt this brush is an extremely effective tool for rims, tyres and filthy transmissions but I would disagree with the suggestion that it is suitable for paintwork in its present guise.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Solid construction, sustainably sourced materials and excellent grime-busting prowess.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

A bit harsh for frame livery.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? In the main, yes

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 38  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

 

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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