LifeLine Essential Bike and Chain Cleaning Kit

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Wiggle says: "Used regularly, the LifeLine chain-cleaner will prolong the life of your chain and help your bike to continue to run smoothly, quietly and safely. The kit includes a chain cleaning/degreasing mechanism for effective cleaning without removing your chain. Simply add de-greasing fluid, close the mechanism around the chain and pull it through by turning the cranks anti clockwise until clean. A set of specially shaped brushes is included to help you clear dirt and grit from difficult areas such as your cassette, chainrings and derailleurs."

And that's pretty much spot on.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

The kit includes the chain cleaning device with separate handle, one "Christmas tree" bristle brush, a flexy two-pronged bristle brush, a sprocket brush, a combined bristle/scrubber brush and a toothed sprocket scraper. The kit comes in a nylon mesh pull-string bag.

All the tools look sturdily made. The brushes are stiff enough that they don't bend when pushing them into tight corners. The handles are part-rubberised making them comfortable to use. The chain cleaner looks well made, of thick plastic, with simple, free-running brushes and guide wheels. Only the sponge wiper looks as though it will have a short life.

All the brushes are useful – the Christmas tree brush doing most of the work, the others getting into various hard-to-reach corners. The sprocket scraper fits easily between 10-speed sprockets (sorry, I don't have any 11 speed bikes!).

The chain cleaner is simple and efficient.

Any brush set will wear out, so taking good care of it will prolong the life and the same goes for the chain cleaning tool. Using a good degreaser will ensure the bristles remain useful even after cleaning heavily soiled chains. The sponge wiper may not last long, but is inessential, and could be replaced with a piece cut from a kitchen sponge.

It's possible to spend nearly £20 on a chain cleaner alone (eg Weldtite's comes in at £17 rrp including a small bottle of degreaser), so at this price the LifeLine kit is a bargain, especially as it seems so well made.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Excellent – a clean bike and a sparkling chain with the minimum of fuss.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Good build quality, ease of use, good results.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing

Use this box to explain your score

It's a useful selection of tools that do the job well. For the price there's little to complain about.