I tested Aldi's bargain bike cleaning products here's how they compare to the mainstream alternatives Supermarket Aldi is stocking discounted Tru-Tension bicycle cleaning products, and they cut through the grime as well as any alternatives Ive tested. The Aldi line-up consists of a general bike cleaner, brake cleaner, chain cleaner and an all-weather lube. The items are part of the German supermarkets Specialbuys promotion, and can be found in the middle aisle of the store alongside the usual soft goods, power tools and gardening essentials. All the products are 4.99 each, so I decided to buy some to see how they perform and whether its worth getting any yourself. I left the lube at the checkout, though, when I remembered how much I already own. Read more: Best bike cleaning products: what to buy and how to keep your bike clean Tru-Tension Bike Cleaner Either it's so good people are pinching it, or there's a QC issue. Nick Clark / Our Media Im guilty of not cleaning my bikes as often as I should, so when I came to clean my Merida One-Sixty, there was quite a bit of stubbornly attached mud that probably dated back to 2025. Despite this, after a quick soak and application of the Tru-Tension Bike Cleaner, it started moving, revealing a brightness to the paint that Id forgotten. The cleaner itself is orange in colour and is easily applied via the nozzle on top. Its not the suddiest of cleaners, with the liquid seeming to settle in to dislodge dirt rather than lathering up like dish soap. The pump on the bottle I bought stopped working. Nick Clark / Our Media I had some issues with the nozzle, with the pump for the bottle sticking, so I poured it into another spray bottle to save the juice. If you didnt have one of these handy, it would be pretty annoying and in the shop, there appeared to be quite a disparity between how full the bottles were. Besides this, the cleaner itself worked really well, and youd likely get 20 washes or more from a bottle. Tru-Tension Chain & Gear Cleaner While it doesn't foam, the Chain & Gear Cleaner does a good job of cleaning up drivetrains. Nick Clark / Our Media My preferred product for cleaning my chain is Fenwicks Foaming Chain Cleaner, and anyone who has used it will understand the fun the foam brings to the job. Unfortunately, this stuff goes on as a fine spray, but it leaves a finish that Id recognise from Fenwicks. The nozzle is easy to direct, and with a little loving from a brush, the cassette, chain and chainring came up sparkling. You get a good portion from the 400ml can, and with how sparingly I use chain degreasers, Id expect this to last me at least six months. There's not much else to say here it works as youd expect. Tru-Tension Brake Cleaner The Brake Cleaner works really well and is easy to use. Nick Clark / Our Media I dont tend to use brake cleaner often, but my bike had developed a little squeal from the front brakes, so I decided to give it a blast. It comes in the same type of container as the Chain & Gear Cleaner, and it's easy to be precise when spraying it, enabling you to avoid delicate parts of your bike. After letting it air-dry, I took the bike up the road and slammed on the front brake, and to its credit, it had evicted the pigsty from my front caliper. You can tell it's half-decent stuff by the smell and weird feeling your finger tips get after touching it. Whats worth buying? These two are definitely worth picking up for the combined 9.98. Nick Clark / Our Media Having tested the three cleaning products, Id probably get more of the Brake Cleaner and Chain & Gear Cleaner. These products work just as well as other, more expensive brands, just without the flair. While the Bike Cleaner worked well, the letdown of the bottle is probably enough for me to avoid it next time. I have so much lube at home already. Nick Clark / Our Media
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