Drivetrain degreasers for chains, cassettes and chainrings.
Degreaser does the job cleaner cannot: it dissolves the black paste of old lube and grit that builds up on a chain, cassette and chainring. On an e-bike that paste wears parts faster because the motor is grinding it into the rollers under load. A periodic degrease, followed by fresh lube, restores quiet shifting and noticeably extends drivetrain life. It also gives you a clean chain to measure for wear.
There are two common types. Citrus and water-based degreasers are biodegradable, safer on paint and skin, and plenty strong for regular cleaning, but they need a little dwell time and a rinse. Solvent-based degreasers cut faster and evaporate, which is convenient for a quick wipe-down, but they are harsher on rubber seals and some plastics, and the fumes are not something to breathe in a closed garage. For an e-bike, where the chain runs close to the motor and its seals, the gentler citrus type is the sensible everyday choice.
The e-bike-specific cautions are about where the degreaser goes. Keep it off brake rotors and pads, which will squeal and lose bite if contaminated; off the motor seals and any exposed bearings; and away from the speed sensor and wiring. Apply it to the chain with a brush or chain scrubber, let it work, rinse gently, dry, and lube. If you are stripping a new chain for wax, a solvent soak off the bike is the usual method. Work in a ventilated space, wear nitrile gloves, and let everything dry completely before lubing; lube applied over wet degreaser simply runs off.
