I’m a big fan of a clean, quiet drivetrain, but I’m not the biggest fan of the harsh solvents and chemicals included in many of the cleaning products and lubes that help to keep it that way. Which is why I was intrigued to learn about Stan’s lineup of Biobased cleaners and lubes at Sea Otter earlier this year. Stan’s has been selling its Biobased products for over a year now, but that was the first I’d heard of them.
Developed with WPL (Whistler Performance Labs) and made in Canada, Stan’s Biobased products are claimed to be plant-based, biodegradable, and free of PTFE and PFAS chemicals. The Drivetrain Cleaner is made specifically for, you guessed it, removing grease, dirt, and grime from your drivetrain components.
The Drivetrain Cleaner was included in the selection of Stan’s Biobased products that I received a few months ago. Since then, I’ve been using it regularly to clean the drivetrains on the numerous bikes in my current rotation. In my experience, it works just as well as the less environmentally conscious cleaners that I’ve got, making for nearly effortless cleaning and a clean, smooth, and quiet drivetrain.
Stan’s Biobased Drivetrain Cleaner Details
The exact formulation of Stan’s Drivetrain Cleaner is not listed on the bottle or the brand’s website. That said, Stan’s says the Biobased products do not include petro-based additives, synthetic oils, or toxic organic solvents, and the Drivetrain Cleaner is vegan, biodegradable, and plant-based (USDA-certified Biobased pending). Additionally, it is PFAS- and PTFE-free, with no added dyes or scents (clear and odorless).
According to Stan’s, “Its plant-derived chemistry targets buildup while remaining safe for carbon frames, rubber seals, and anodized finishes, so both professional mechanics and everyday riders can clean confidently without risking damage to components.” That said, they recommend avoiding contamination of disc brake pads and rotors, which should be avoided with virtually all other cleaning products, too.
The Drivetrain Cleaner comes in a 500ml spray bottle and retails for $20.
Using Stan’s Biobased Drivetrain Cleaner
If you’re the type of rider who is reading about a drivetrain cleaner, then I’m assuming that, like me, you probably don’t let it get too dirty in the first place. I usually dry brush, wipe down, and lube my drivetrain between deeper cleanings, but I don’t really let it get super filthy or gritty no matter what. For reference, I typically use Dumonde Tech Original chain lube, and I’ve recently been trying the Stan’s Biobased Wet Lube. In the midst of trying out the Biobased Cleaner, however, I also gave a new drip wax lube a shot during a very long, very dusty gravel ride.
I’ve been using Stan’s Drivetrain Cleaner like I would any other cleaner. I hose off my bike and drivetrain, then spray a liberal amount of the cleaner on my cassette, chain, and chainring. After letting it sit for a few minutes, I use my drivetrain brush to hit all of the exposed surfaces and any obvious lube, grease, dirt, or other contaminants. Then, I hose the drivetrain off and check for any remaining grit that might need a quick second hit with the brush.
Each time I’ve used Stan’s Drivetrain Cleaner, no matter the lube, I’ve been impressed by how clean my drivetrain gets. It takes very little effort to go from the worst my drivetrain has looked in weeks to a showroom shine. It appears to work just as well as the toxic cleaning/degreasing products that I’ve used for years. It doesn’t leave any residue, it doesn’t smell weird, and my drivetrains have been running more quietly and smoothly for the past couple of months.
The photos above and below were taken on Sunday afternoon after pre-riding the Downieville XC course, which includes several creek crossings and LOTS of dust. It doesn’t matter what lube you use; drivetrains look and sound really rough at the finish.
I won’t claim that it gets my chain clean enough for an immersive hot wax or anything, but I don’t hot wax my chains anyway, so that’s not really an issue for me. Every 3-4 rides, it gets my drivetrain as clean as I want/need it to get so I can keep everything running smoothly and feel good about maintaining my investment in drivetrain parts. I also appreciate that it’s non-toxic. I wouldn’t drink it or anything, but I’m a bit less concerned about getting it on my skin or possibly breathing it in the air. And, assuming Stan’s and WPL’s Biobased, environmentally friendly claims are valid, I feel better about using it, too.
My Takeaway
While I was initially a little skeptical that a “biobased” cleaner would get my drivetrain as clean as the solvents I’ve used in the past, Stan’s Biobased Drivetrain Cleaner has been doing the trick. The grease, dirt, and grime brush right off with minimal effort, and I’ve honestly been impressed with its cleaning performance. It works very well and seriously makes everything look like new, no matter how bad it looked or sounded previously.
At $20, it isn’t exactly cheap, but it’s priced competitively with similar products from Muc-Off and other brands. It’s been working well for me, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for an environmentally-friendly alternative to harsher cleaning products.
