Stan’s Biobased Bike Wash is a very effective deep cleaner that works consistently well on a wealth of surfaces and finishes. It’s fast acting on most types of grot, and while not marketed as a degreaser, with the right brushes it’s proved surprisingly effective at shifting congealed lubes from chains, chainrings and derailleurs. You’ll need to rinse thoroughly to avoid unsightly streaking, and matt finishes will require a dedicated polish afterward.
> Buy now: Stan’s Biobased Bike Wash for £11.99 from Merlin Cycles
Biobased Bike Wash is designed to be applied to wet surfaces: simply deliver in a mist all over the bike, using the stream to tackle very localised grot. Lather up, using your chosen brushes, and once the dirty cocktail begins lifting, rinse – first with warm water to dismiss the gloop, following up with a cold water ‘chaser’ to prevent streaking and watermarks.
Some effort is required to get the mix lathered nicely, but it’s minimal, and I found the process very therapeutic. Twenty minutes, including rinsing, will have a moderately grimy bike gleaming, a little longer if we’re talking a more invasive clean of the chainrings, chain and so on.
Using a soft, paint-friendly brush, blended mud and wax lubes slithered from the bottom bracket shell, down tube and chainstay areas, although I had to be a little more persistent with greases and oily frame preserves.
I’ve used it on anodised, polished, plated, lacquered and painted finishes with pleasing results. It also seems genuinely safe on delicate surfaces, seals, and similar components.
Brush quality plays a part, but I’ve found the Stan’s surprisingly effective on ingrained oily patina in silicone bar wraps, saddles and synthetic shoes, too.
It’s not the cheapest out there – Oxford Bike Wash is £8.99 for an equivalent size, and Josh found it reasonably effective, and Muc-Off Nano Tech Bike Cleaner is something of an institution and £12 for a litre – but I’ve also needed less of the Stan’s to achieve the same results. So while it’s not outlandish (Silca Ultimate Bike Wash is £25 for half the amount, albeit concentrated, and Ceramic Speed UFO Bike Wash is £19.99 for 500ml), its performance and economy narrows the gap between some cheaper formulas.
> Buy now: Stan’s Biobased Bike Wash for £11.99 from Merlin Cycles
Verdict
Very effective and surface-friendly bike wash
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Stan’s Biobased Bike Wash 1L
Size tested: 1000ml
Tell us what the product is for and who it’s aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it?
Stan’s says: “Stan’s Biobased Bike Wash is an eco-friendly, all-purpose bike cleaner developed to easily and quickly get your bike shining no matter what kinds of slop you ride through. This 100% biodegradable, non-toxic formula is non-corrosive and free of VOCs and phosphates, ensuring safety for both you and the environment. Our proprietary formula is tough on dirt yet gentle enough to pamper your bike’s precious finish. Use it confidently on all bike surfaces, from carbon fiber and steel to aluminum and plastics. Keep your ride pristine with Stan’s Biobased Bike Wash.”
It’s an effective bike cleaner that is slower acting than some but dismisses even impacted oily grime with only modest effort and seems genuinely kind to delicate surfaces.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product
One thing to note, according to its Data Safety Sheet it contains a component called Lauryl Glucoside Citrate, which on the plus side is used in baby shampoos and similar cosmetics, but can cause contact dermatitis in people with sensitive skin.
From Stan’s:
Biodegradable, VOC-free, Phosphate-free
Non-corrosive
All-purpose cleaner for all bicycle parts and frames
Effortlessly cuts through dirt and grime
Safe on seals, anodized metals, carbon fiber, disc rotors and brake pads
1000ml
USDA-certified biobased
Made in Canada
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Some user effort is required to get the mix lathered nicely but it’s minimal, and I found the process very therapeutic. Twenty minutes, including rinsing, will have a moderately grimy bike gleaming. Add another 10 if we’re talking a more invasive clean rather than just a quick scrub.
Using a soft, paint-friendly brush, blended mud and hybrid wax lubes slithered from the bottom bracket shell, down tube and chainstay areas given a 30-second tickling with the Stan’s, although I had to be a little more persistent with greases and oily frame preserves.
Same story with bar tapes, saddles, TPU panniers and shoes.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Very effective across the board but surprisingly so on oily, petrochemical grime. Seems genuinely kind to delicate surfaces and components common to modern bikes.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
More consideration than dislike, but requires thorough rinsing to avoid streaks and similar staining.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
At the upper end of this market there’s Silca Ultimate Bike Wash at £25 for 16oz (which you then dilute), and Ceramic Speed UFO Bike Wash at £19.99 for 500ml, while £8.99 will get you the same amount of Oxford Bike Wash, which Josh found reasonably effective, and Muc-Off Nano Tech Bike Cleaner is something of an institution and £12 for a litre.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
Despite some initial scepticism I’ve been pleasantly surprised by this Biobased Bike Wash. True, I’ve tested it through changeable spring and summer weather, not the depths of winter, but it’s been fairly economical to apply and achieved good results with a little bit of brushwork and disciplined rinsing. Overall, it’s very good.
About the tester
Age: 51 Height: 1m 81cm Weight: 70kg
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,
