Finish Line Bike Wash works remarkably well. After using it for the 1st time I thought for certain that all the dust collected in the tight areas of the brakes, crankset, chainstay and frame would still have to be scrubbed to remove all the dust, dirt, and grime.
After I hosed everything off and dried with shop towels everything was clean! All I could say was Wow! Everything, from the top of my brake pads, to the frame, the squeaky clean treads of my tires, rear cassette, etc., looked brand new and I could honestly say I never saw my bike look so clean and new.
My front v-brakes actually worked better after cleaning off the sides of the rim. Also, I know that I am increasing the service life of many components because dust and dirt will inevitably creep into places they shouldn't be in which will cause components to wear down faster.
My qualms:
Not sure what's in this stuff. It is a strange looking bright pink liquid which comes in a strange package. There is a 1 liter bottle that comes attached to a squirt handle which you are supposed to install after opening the top. Not sure why they can't just put the squirter in before shipping and sell it like they do Windex.
Is there a degreaser inside? The Bike Wash left my front shocks bright and shiny clean, but I'm not sure that's a good thing. I thought it was better to have a little bit of grease on it (I wound up putting a little Teflon lube on it). If there is degreaser, isn't that bad for the bottom bracket as well?
I wound up spraying and placing Finish Line Teflon lube (red cap) all over the rear sprocket, chain, and derailleur. I didn't place the Bike wash on my handlebar or grips because I wasn't sure what this stuff would do to it. Now that I have some experience, I don't think it would harm them.
I think this stuff is pretty safe to use, but I do think that it does such a good job removing all the dust grime and gook from all the tiniest of areas I would definitely consider putting some lube on the main areas just to make sure you have enough. In this respect, the Bike wash may too effective for it's own good (this is conjecture however, I do not know for certain that any lubrication is removed).
I'm surprised they haven't found other uses for the Bike Wash. It is so easy to use and extremely effective.
One con: the price. I can understand why people will pass on the $12 price and simply use dishwash detergent or whatever. To each his own. You are saving money, I'm saving time, and my frame/components (due to anti-static effect).
I think the Finish Line Bike Wash is worth the money considering the time and money spent. I just wish that I knew the best (optimum) way to use it.
Bike Wash gets 5 Stars because it works extremely well.