LCP

Peaty's Foaming Drivetrain Degreaser review

Author block

Liam Mercer's picture

Liam Mercer

Since beginning his mountain biking career while working as a resort photographer in Greece in 2014, Liam became a freelance contributor at off.road.cc in 2019. From there, he’s climbed the journalism job ladder from staff writer to deputy technical editor, now finding his place as technical editor.

Partial to the odd enduro race, heart rate-raising efforts on slim-tyred cross-country bikes, hell-for-leather e-MTB blasts or even casual gravel jaunts, there’s not a corner of off-road cycling where Liam fears to tread. With more than 40 bike reviews under his belt and hundreds more on MTB, e-MTB and gravel parts and accessories, Liam’s expertise continues to be cemented and respected by the industry.

Product reviews

Peaty’s Foaming Drivetrain Degreaser works rather well, and it's got a minty fresh scent too. You still need to get in there and scrub to shift the grimiest of grimes, though.

Just like Peaty’s Loam Foam bike cleaner, this comes with a spray head with a mesh cover to create the foam. It can be easily pulled to one side if you want a mist instead, though that will run off much sooner.

Anyway, the good thing about this degreaser is the foaming action. It can be left to work in its foamy state for quite a while, so if your drivetrain is particularly nasty you can stick the kettle on while the foam is working and it’ll still be there when you’re fully caffeinated.

2020 peaty's foaming drivetrain degreaser head mesh.jpg

Peaty’s recommends you use rearward crank rotation to agitate the filth and loosen it off. While this helps coat the chain without using loads of foam, it’s not quite enough for a perfect finish. You still need to reach for the brush for a properly shining drivetrain.

2020 peaty's foaming drivetrain degreaser head mist.jpg

It definitely works, though. As soon as the foam hits the chain, you can see brown seeping from the links.

2020 peaty's foaming drivetrain degreaser on cassette.jpg

It’s not bad value either. A tenner get you 500ml, but £15 gets you a full litre. Competing brands ask a few pounds more for their non-solvent cleaners.

What’s the difference between this and Peaty's XXX Solvent Degreaser? Peaty’s Foaming Drivetrain Degreaser is made just for the drivetrain, and as such, it’s not quite as strong. That one is for stripping more serious bearing greases.

Peaty’s Foaming Drivetrain Degreaser is a standout product in the big man’s bike cleaning line-up. It does a great job of keeping your drivetrain clean without stripping the grease from the important bits. It’s reasonably priced, and smells nice too.

You might also like: