WD-40 Bike Cleaner put to the test: A clean bike is a well-maintained bike

Easy to measure out, spreads widely

The spray nozzle makes it easy to control the amount of product used and apply it evenly. This makes it easier to spray larger areas and is ideal for cleaning an entire bicycle. However, if you only want to treat individual areas, you’ll need to take greater care: the spray pattern is quite wide. To target narrow frame tubes accurately, it would need to be more concentrated.

Overall, it was easy to use. The bottle is easy to grip securely, and applying the desired amount is straightforward. However, the wide spray pattern remains a compromise between broad coverage and precise application. This means that, particularly on narrow pipes, some of the spray ends up next to the intended area.

Dirt comes off without a brush

According to the manufacturer, the bike should first be rinsed with water. The cleaner is then applied undiluted and rinsed off with clean water before it dries. This method worked well on our grubby gravel bike: after leaving it to soak in for a while, the dirt came off easily when we hosed it down. We didn’t need a brush for this.

This describes our experience with the dirt in question, but is no substitute for a standardised comparison of different products. The following section shows how cleaning performance and material compatibility can be systematically tested: TOUR comparison test of twelve bike cleaners. After all, when it comes to judging whether a bike is clean, it’s not just about whether it looks clean after being washed.

Consumption depends on the spraying method

WD-40 lists plastic, rubber, carbon fibre, chrome and paint as suitable surfaces. Our own long-term testing of material compatibility was not part of our trial. The information on suitable materials is therefore provided by the manufacturer.

How long the bottle lasts depends on how generously you spray it. Based on our usage, the 500 millilitres are enough for around five to eight bike washes. At the stated price of 8.39 euros, this works out at around 1.05 to 1.68 euros per wash. Actual usage may vary depending on the level of dirt and the surface area treated.

Conclusion: Good cleaning performance, limited precision

On the grubby gravel bike, the WD-40 Bicycle Cleaner Effective cleaning: The dirt could be rinsed off without a brush after a short application time. Added to this are the bottle’s comfortable grip and the ease of dispensing. The main criticism remains the wide spray pattern. The broad spray pattern is suitable for entire wheels; however, in narrow, specific areas, it makes precise application difficult. A more concentrated spray would make targeted application easier in such areas.