Advice Centre

Bike Parts & Accessories

• How do I choose the right bike helmet?

   

  

  Because of the vital protection they provide, it's very important to get the right bike helmet.

  Measure your head and check the size of the bike helmet you're looking to buy and it's a good idea to try the bike helmet for size - it should sit low on your forehead, just above your eyebrows and should not move when you shake your head. Adjust to fit using the adjustable fit system on the bike helmet to improve fit if necessary.

  Extra features to look for:

  » More vents provide better air circulation to keep your head cool
  » Peaks and visors reduce glare and shield your eyes from the sun

  We recommend you replace your helmet every 3 years. Remember: Every helmet subjected to an impact should always be replaced.

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• What accessories are available for my bike?

   

  

  Halfords sells a wide range of bike accessories.

  These include bike helmets, bike locks, bike pumps, bike lights, bike computers, bike clothing, bike child seats, bike cleaning products and lubricants, bike luggage, bike water bottles, bike tools, bike manuals, kids bike accessories and an extensive range of bike parts - in fact, everything you could want for your bike.

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• Do I really need a bike helmet?

   

  

  Quite simply, yes.

  Riding a bike, whether on the road or recreationally presents a risk of head injury and therefore requires head protection. Though the overall numbers and risk are not high, about 75% of all cyclist deaths each year result from head injuries.

  The simple precaution of wearing a bike helmet may prevent severe injury or save your life. Other benefits include the fact that most bike helmets are brightly coloured, making you more visible to other motorists and they also offer protection from weather, including sun, rain and hailstones.

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• Does my child really need a bike helmet?

   

  

  Quite simply, yes.

  Riding a bike, whether on the road or recreationally presents a risk of head injury and therefore requires head protection. Though the overall numbers and risk are not high, about 75% of all cyclist deaths each year result from head injuries. The simple precaution of wearing a bike helmet may prevent severe injury or save your child's life. Other benefits include the fact that most bike helmets are brightly coloured, making your child more visible to others and they also offer protection from weather, including sun, rain and hailstones.

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Bike Accessories

• What bike accessories do I need?

   

  

  You can get a huge range of bike accessories at Halfords, but what you need is largely determined by how much you use your bike.

  The number one essential purchase for all cyclists is a bike helmet to protect your head should you fall off your bike or be involved in an accident. If you ride your bike at night it's a leagal requirement to have bike lights and reflective clothing of some sort. Other useful bike accessories include a bike pump, bike lock and a water bottle and cage - particularly for long journeys.

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• How can I keep my bike secure?

   

  

  To make sure your bike is secure at all times always lock your bike, especially when you're at home, and at night.

  Try to keep it out of view by putting it in your garage or house, or lock it in your back garden. Cable locks or shackle locks offer the best security. When locking your bike to an object somewhere, analyze the object first. Make sure you are locking your bike to a fixed object like a lamppost or bike rack. Avoid things that are easily cut, or things too short, where the bike could simply be lifted over it. Find out more on how to keep your bike secure.

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• Can Halfords fit my bike accessories for me?

   

  

  Yes
  Halfords can provide fitting on a wide range of accessories. Furthermore, we can fit your accessories FREE when they are purchased with a new bike from Halfords, either online or in-store.

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• Will a Child Seat or Trailer buggy fit my Bike?

   

  

  Bike child seats fit almost all bikes without rear suspension and fit bikes with traditional rigid frame designs.

  Bike child seats don't fit any full suspensions bikes available at Halfords. In the event that you cannot fit a bike child seat a bike trailer buggy will fit your bike. Bike trailer buggies fit all bikes

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Bike Parts

• What are the best tyres for my bike?

   

  

  Tyres are very important parts of a bike as they are the contact point between the bike and the road.

  Like bikes, bike tyres come in a huge range of sizes and treads, so making the correct choice is vital for performance and safety. The type of riding you are doing will affect your tyre choice. Road tyres - perfect for both road users and racers, but road users should choose 'clincher' road tyres - with an inner tube and which hook onto the rim, while racers should choose 'tubular' road tyres which are glued to the rim and have no inner tube.

  » ATB tyres - also have 2 types. Use ATB slick tyres for if you have a mountain bike that you mostly use on roads and ATB off-road tyres are designed for serious off-road mountain bikers. They come in a variety of treads, patterns and widths to give you maximum control.
  » Hybrid tyres - ideal for urban riding or touring as they offer a good puncture resistance but are still lightweight and roll nicely.

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• Can Halfords fit my bike parts for me?

   

  

  Yes, from gear servicing to pedal replacement, Halfords can help with a wide range of fitting services.
  We offer a fixed pricing structure and thousands of parts from stock. Thousands more parts are available to order to store within 24 hours, or from the manufacturer within 48 hours to get you back on your bike as soon as possible.

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• What is the best bike saddle for me?

   

  

  Your bike saddle is your main point of contact with your bike, so it needs to be comfortable for your shape and size, keeping pressure points to a minimum.

  Look for gel or foam padding for extra comfort and it's important to pick a saddle that is designed for your gender - men's saddles tend to be long and have a narrow base, while women's saddles have a wider rear, and both have different areas of padding to suit differing male and female anatomy.

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• Do you sell lubricants and grease for my bike parts?

   

  

  Yes

  Halfords stock a huge range of bike oils, lubricants and grease to help you with all areas of bike maintenance.

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• What is the correct bike chain for my bike?

   

  

  Most bike chains are single speeds, 5,6,7,8, or 9 speeds.

  Many bike chains fit more that one system, e.g. 6,7,and 8 speeds; you must ensure that your bike has the correct number of gears on the drive cogs on the rear wheel. If your bike only has one gear you will need a single speed chain. If your bike is a 21-speed bike, you will have 7 cogs on the rear thus you will need a bike chain that is 7 speeds compatible. If you have 18 total gears you will have 6 cogs on the rear, thus you will need 6-speed compatible chain. Halfords have a comprehensive selection of bike chains avalible for all types of bikes

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• How do mudguards protect my bike?

   

  

  Mudguards prevent or reduce the amount of mud, grit and dirt being thrown up at you while riding your bike.

  They help to give you a clearer view of the road ahead and protecting your bike from damage and paint chips. Your feet, legs and backs will stay drier when mudguards are fitted, and they also protect other riders behind you.

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Bike Maintenance & Tools

• Why should I use cycle specific cleaning agents?

   

  

  Bike cleaning agents sold at halfords are specifically designed to clean and protect your bike.

  Other cleaning agents can contain materials that may actually damage your bike and cause corrosion. Always use cycle specific cleaning products to clean your bike.

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• Why should I use cycle specific oils and grease to lubricate and protect my bike?

   

  

  Correct bike maintenance can prolong the life of your bike parts, help maintain and improve performance of your bike.

  It is important that you have the correct lubrication on the appropriate area of your bike for the conditions to help prolong the life of your bike parts. Cycle specific oils and grease's are specifically developed to the handle the hard conditions that bike lubricants are put under in both wet muddy conditions, and dry dusty conditions.

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• Can a bike workstand help with my bike maintenance and repair?

   

  

  Yes a bike workstand can really help with bike maintenance as it allows the bike to be worked on easily.

  It brings the bike up to your level and allows the gears, brakes, drivetrain and brakes to be easily tested, adjusted and maintained as the wheels can spin freely.

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• Can my local Halfords store carry out maintenance on my bike for me?

   

  

  Yes your local Halfords store is available to offer advice, repairs, servicing and parts and accessory fitting.
  You can even insure against any future problems by taking out a Bike Care Plan. A Bike Care Plan offers a year of free labour on repairs and fitting, as well as a free annual service, for a one off annual fee. This is available for child and adult bikes, both new and older (subject to inspection).

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Bike Tyres & Inner Tubes

• How do I know what size valves I have on my bike inner tubes?

   

  

  There are 2 valves sizes available on your bike

  » Presta (High Pressure)
  » Schrader (Car Type Valve)

  Presta valves are commonly found on race bikes they are far thinner that Schrader valves. Schrader valves are found on the majority of mountain bikes. Schrader valves are often called car type valves, as they are the same valves as found on car wheels.

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• What are self healing inner tubes?

   

  

  Self-healing inner tubes have a solution in the inner tube that moves around the tyre as the bike is riden.

  If the wheel is punctured and air starts to leave the inner tube, the solution in the tyre reacts with the air a forms a solid, fixing the puncture. Self-healing inner tubes will not prevent all punctures but small to medium sized holes but not big holes such and pitches and tears.

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• Can halfords fit inner tubes, wheels and tyres to my bike for me?

   

  

  Yes Halfords offers a wide range of repair services for your bike.
  Halfords can fit inner tubes, wheels and tyres to get you cycling again as soon as possible. We stock a wide range of parts, but if the part you need is not available in store, we can order thousands more from our range within 24 hours, or straight from the manufacturer within 48 hours.

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• What can I do if my wheel is buckled?

   

  

  Halfords offer a wide selection of bike tools including spoke keys that can true (straight in) the buckle in your wheel.

  Truing bike wheels should not be taken lightly and should only be attempted by qualified technicians. Halfords stores offer a truing service on buckled wheels by our qualified cycle technicians. Pre-booking may be required. Fitting subject to bike inspection. In the event that your wheel is beyond repair halfords have a wide selection of replacement wheels for your bike.

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