BBB BioReadyWash

BBB BioReadyWash is super convenient for those situations when bikes are a little grimy, you’re cleaning a localised area, or you’ve left oily fingerprints following a quick tune-up. It’s plant based, contains some wax protectant, and is supposedly biodegradable within 28 days. A little goes surprisingly far, and the results on gloss and satin surfaces are pleasing.

> Buy now: BBB BioReadyWash for £7.90 from Start Fitness

BBB is predictably coy when discussing specific alchemy but would tell me it’s a highly concentrated ph neutral formula for powerful cleaning of greases and dirt, and doesn’t employ any nasty chemicals or microplastics.

Look at the bottle and on the reverse there are two images: spraying on and polishing off. It really is that simple.

A little goes surprisingly far – two quick squirts are sufficient to tackle the top and head tubes on a 56cm frameset, another two for the seat and down tubes, and another two for the bottom bracket and chainstay areas (less if the bike’s just wearing a dusty coat synonymous with dry trails). In a nutshell, no need to go to town and avoid braking surfaces and saddles.

Avoid applying in direct sunlight, and if it’s windy, spray into a microfibre cloth then apply, and don’t allow it to dry out. Not that it will do anything nasty to surfaces, save for some light watermarks, and temporary blotches in matt finishes. Get some in your eyes on a blustery day and you’ll yelp, but no issues with dry or sore skin when used without gloves for extended periods.

BioReadyWash is designed for quick sprucing, not deep cleans. It’s convenient enough for applying indoors and the subtle floral scent won’t betray clandestine kitchen fettling… Go fetch the traditional bike wash, car wash ‘n’ wax and those buckets and brushes for more heavily soiled bikes.

Performance

Even when using it sparingly I have been pleasantly surprised at how well it gobbled light grime, cutting through oily spatter with the first hint of a microfibre cloth. Filmy stuff – overspray from WD40, GT85 et al – lifts even quicker. I’ve dismissed traces of waxy preserves and was pleasantly surprised at how readily it shifted some greasy finger marks around the bottom bracket shell and chainstays, following bottom bracket replacement.

I’d topped up a wax chain lube and managed to get some spatter on the rear wheel. A quick squirt of BBB and a clean rag dismissed this from the inner rim and tyre sidewall in seconds. Predictably, I’d got traces on the braking surface, impairing braking for a short period, but this was dismissed by gently engaging the rear brake during a modest descent.

I was particularly impressed with how rapidly it restored the lustre of carbon fork blades that sported a mix of ingrained light grime and water staining following some very wintry conditions. This gloss component, though less intense than some, will also leave a temporary, subtle shine to satin finishes. This will fade and ultimately disappear given a few weeks and I liked the effect, knowing it wasn’t permanent. BBB suggested it wouldn’t have this effect with satin and matt finishes. I applied a gentle misting to a matt helmet and buffed. Curiously, it remained matt without any blotches or similar. I’d suggest trying a small inconspicuous area of matt finishes first.

Start to finish, I’d got bikes gleaming in 15 minutes. The slippery barrier discourages dust, water and spray from adhering, although doesn’t seem to offer any protection from UV light. Light, showery rain beaded up and rolled away, although muddy explores confirmed my suspicions that you’ll need to give bikes a proper wash and rinse down.

However, it does extend the time between washes in less taxing, fair-weather contexts. The waxy component provides an unexpectedly durable barrier, one that’s still obvious three weeks hence, on a sunny days plaything.

Value

Its wax component isn’t a patch on products containing carnauba wax, which are similarly convenient and well suited to bikes serving on indoor trainers, but in fairness they also tend to be twice the price.

So while £7.99 for 500ml might seem steep if you’re comparing it to a decent quality beeswax furniture polish, it’s very competitive alongside similar products. Motoverde Waterless Wash & Wax, for example, is very effective on light grime and leaves a lasting sheen, but at £12.99 for the same amount it’s also a good bit steeper. Muc-Off High Performance Waterless Wash is another spray on and go formula, and is £17 for 750ml, while Silca Ultimate Ceramic Waterless Wash is an eye-watering £30 for 500ml. Hollis was very impressed, though, and like the BBB, it doesn’t contain any nasty chemicals.

Conclusion

Ultimately, BBB BioReadyWash is a convenient and effective means of keeping lightly soiled bikes gleaming, and I’ve been impressed at how well it’s dismissed greasy contaminant and fingerprints. The protective barrier, while less durable than some, does deter dust and light dirt from taking hold more effectively than furniture polishes. It also seems kind to composites, seals and similar delicate stuff.

> Buy now: BBB BioReadyWash for £7.90 from Start Fitness

Verdict

Convenient cleaner with subtle protectant for lightly soiled bikes or those in fair weather service

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