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review
Cleaning products
Flaer ReviveFlaer Revive Bike Cleaner.jpg

Flaer Revive

8
by Harry Brook-Dobson
UPDATED Sat, Jun 03, 2017 09:46

First Published Jun 3, 2017

0
£9.99

VERDICT:

8
10
High-end cleaner from a boutique brand which is very effective, if a little pricey
Weight: 
825g
Contact: 
www.oxfordproducts.com
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Flaer's Revive does a very good job of cleaning up your pride and joy, especially if you pair it with Flaer's Guard (review to come). It is a bit pricey, but works better than cheaper store-branded options I've tried, and I'd say it's worth the money.

The bottle it comes in has a nozzle with three options: spray, jet and lock. The spray does a good job of distributing the liquid without excessive squirting, and I found the jet useful for displacing gunk in the drivetrain, especially in hard-to-reach areas such as between the chainrings and behind the front mech. Being able to twist it to lock it shut is handy for avoiding any accidental spillages.

> Find your nearest dealer here

In comparison to other cleaners, I found it to be remarkably effective on oily chain residue. It did as good a job as some dedicated chain cleaners I've used. Considering it is also safe on delicate paint-jobs, that's quite impressive. For off-white bar tape, a squirt or two was all that was required to return it to 'white-enough'. It worked noticeably quicker than other cleaners I have used, too.

Flaer doesn't list the ingredients, but it didn't leave my hands feeling as if they'd been in an acid bath. The smell wasn't dissimilar to hand soaps, and once rinsed with water, what scent remained was pleasant.

On both matt and gloss finishes, the cleaner worked quickly. Within 30 seconds the majority of dirt had been loosened enough to just wipe off without using brushes. If left on, the cleaner evaporates and leaves streaky marks, but these can be removed easily with water. Flaer does say it 'has been carefully formulated to be safe on all materials including carbon, aluminium, steel, titanium and paintwork' – and there was certainly no visible corrosion of paintwork.

Flaer recommends using its Guard protector spray post-wash, and I found this left a nicer finish than just towelling down.

In terms of cost, £10 for 750ml does seem a bit steep – you can get a 1L bottle of Fenwick's Concentrated Bike Cleaner, Pedro's Green Fizz and Green Oil's Green Clean for the same price. But for keeping expensive paintjobs looking new and ensuring a deep clean on high-end components, I'd say it's well worth a go.

Verdict

High-end cleaner from a boutique brand which is very effective if a little pricey

road.cc test report

Make and model: Flaer Revive

Size tested: 750ml

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?

Flaer describes its offering as a "high performance cleaner, specifically formulated for the rigours of pro cycling."

While my cycling doesn't quite fit within the realms of 'pro', I do have white bar tape and race at an amateur level. In terms of bike-dirtiness, I think I encounter the same issues as a professional.

Flaer says: "Revive is a high performance cleaner, specifically formulated for the rigours of pro cycling. Revive provides your entire bike with a deep clean and is effective on dirt, sand, oil, grease and insects. The unique scented formula offers the complete cleaning solution, ensuring all components are kept in peak condition."

I can confirm that the scent was pleasant.

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

Flaer says:

"Revive has been carefully formulated to be safe on all materials including carbon, aluminium, steel, titanium and paintwork.

"We recommend using Guard, post clean to give your bike a 'good as new' finish, protecting it before your next ride and making your next clean easier."

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10

Little info on the ingredients, but the bottle it comes in is relatively sturdy.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Does a very good job of dissolving oil and road dirt that has been left too long. Especially so for a cleaner that seems very kind to your skin.

Rate the product for durability:
 
6/10

Spray nozzle maximises distribution for each squirt so that wastage is kept small. That said, I found that spraying the cleaner onto a cloth then wiping the frame and fork gave enough 'cleaning power' if I had sprayed it with a frame protector previously. Using both would help it last longer.

Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
7/10

Seems kind to skin.

Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

A little expensive perhaps, but the performance was better than cheaper options I've used.

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

A good cleaner, but it won't suddenly stop cleaning your bike from being a chore. It does make it quicker than not using a specific cleaner and more pleasant than using more aggressive formulas.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The bottle allowed jet and spray options which were useful in different situations. It did smell nice and didn't leave my hands feeling sensitive if I forgot to wash my hand properly post-clean.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The price does seem high.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes, it made cleaning bikes slightly less of a chore and left them looking smart.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your score

The Revive cleaner is a pleasant and effective one to use; the cost is relatively high but the performance is good.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 20  Height: 181cm  Weight: 73kg

I usually ride: Specialized Allez  My best bike is: Starley R1

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo-cross, commuting, touring, club rides, mountain biking

Flaer Revive 2017
Flaer Revive
Flaer 2017
Flaer

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