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Cleaning products
Muc-Off Nano Tech Fast Action Bike CleanerMuc-Off Nano Tech Fast Action Bike Cleaner

Muc-Off Nano Tech Fast Action Bike Cleaner

7
by Shaun Audane
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published May 2, 2014

9
£8.50

VERDICT:

7
10
Still a very effective bike wash but starting to look outclassed by newer formulas
Weight: 
1,153g
Contact: 
www.muc-off.com
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Muc-off bike cleaner is something of an institution, one that changed bike cleaning forever thanks to its convenient, grime busting prowess. This latest incarnation has been dubbed Nano-Tech Bike Cleaner, and has a beefed-up formula and improved trigger spray.

Since its introduction, Muc-Off bike cleaner has faced lots of competition from other cleaning products; this version is Muc-Off's answer.

So what's all this nanotech business then? It refers to ionic surfactants; molecules that loosen grime's grip and help prevent cross contamination during the rinsing phase. Muc-off have beefed up the formula somewhat since our last encounter and the trigger spray seems more tolerant of being deployed upside-down without leaking. That's perfect for those 'missed a bit' moments around chainstays, bottom bracket shells and beneath the top tube.

Muc-off recommend leaving it to feast for three to five minutes. I split the difference and left it for four minutes, which worked well. Any longer results in unsightly streaking, necessitating more intensive polishing.

I found it effective on various combinations of dirt, from simple road and trail spatter to more tenacious oily combinations. However, diesel grime and complex synthetics needed persistence to get them moving. Some competitors employing a foaming action tackled identical crud in under two minutes without leaving streaks and did a better job of cleaning handlebar tape, saddle tops and other embossed surfaces.

Verdict

Still a very effective bike wash but starting to look outclassed by newer formulas

road.cc test report

Make and model: Muc-Off Nano Tech Fast Action Bike Cleaner

Size tested: 1 litre

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?

"Using our state-of-the-art Nano Tech formula, Muc-Off cuts through grime quicker than you can say 'OMG!' regardless of the weather or riding conditions. This classic pink Bike Cleaner has incredible cleaning power because it contains revolutionary Nano Technology that breaks down dirt and grime on microscopic levels, while also caring for your bike's delicate finish. Because we use the finest ingredients and surfactants, our Muc-Off formula is a closely guarded trade secret.

It's the most effective cleaner out there, and it doesn't even need any of those nasty, dangerous acids or chemicals. In fact, our perfectly pink cleaner is fully biodegradable, free from acids, CFC's and solvents, and it's alkaline based so you can clean away with a guilt-free conscience. It's safe on all surfaces, and it's even disc brake rotor and pad friendly. Muc-Off Nano Tech Bike Cleaner is ideal for road bikes, mountain bikes, fixed gear bikes and commuting bikes".

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

* Alkaline based and free from CFCs, solvents or acids

* Nano Tech Formula cleans on a molecular level

* 100% Biodegradable

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

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

Overall performance is indiscernible from previous blends and still shifts most types of grunge with reasonable aplomb.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Simple to use.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing per se but it's starting to look a little impotent alongside more recent competition.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Quite possibly in concentrate form.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes but would probably steer them towards the concentrate.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 40  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,

 

Muc-Off Nano Tech Fast Action Bike Cleaner
Muc-Off
Shaun Audane

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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9 comments

Avatar
bikingscot | 10 years ago
0 likes

Rhino Goo is the best I've come across. I have been continuously disappointed with Muc Off for a long time so started looking for alternatives. I found some videos of bike washing with Rhino Goo and it looked amazing. It took me a while to track some down but it's leaps and bounds ahead of muc off so far. Just wish I could remember the name of the shop I bought it from as I'm nearly out!

http://www.rhinogoo.co.uk/

Avatar
srchar | 10 years ago
0 likes

I'm about a third of the way through my first bottle of this stuff - it's useful for getting road poo off my shiny skeleton brakes and degreasing rim brake tracks, but that's about it. Leaves way too many streaks on the (ti) frame.

Avatar
ajmarshal1 | 10 years ago
0 likes

Just finished the bottle of this I bought a while ago. Personally I see no reason to ever buy it again. It's done nothing for me that a little bit of Fairy Liquid and hot water can't.

Avatar
ped | 10 years ago
0 likes

As alluded to by andyp, proceed with caution with this stuff. I faded the once vibrant paint job on a bike leaving it on a tad too long. 2

Avatar
andyp | 10 years ago
0 likes

people still use this stuff? You'd be better off taking an orbital sander to your anodising.

Avatar
nbrus | 10 years ago
0 likes

Paraffin

Avatar
Miles253 | 10 years ago
0 likes

Yeah name the better cleaner

Avatar
paulfg42 | 10 years ago
0 likes

Yeah, which are these more effective formulas?

Avatar
nadsta | 10 years ago
0 likes

Please tell us which cleaner worked in 2 minutes without leaving streaks.

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