Advice Centre

Bike Helmets Buyer's Guide

Why Go To Halfords

There are good reasons for buying your bike helmet at Halfords:

• We are the UK's No. 1 bike accessory retailer and if we don't have the helmet you're looking for in-store, we can order it for you.
• We'll have it delivered within 48 hours.

Safety Guidelines. Extra Features. Choosing The Right Helmet.

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Safety Guidelines

• We strongly recommend you should always wear a helmet when cycling.
• For your own safety it is vital to have one that fits correctly. Refer to Choosing The Right Helmet.
• Do not borrow someone else's helmet unless it is a perfect fit.
• We recommend you replace your helmet every 3 years.
• If your helmet has been subjected to an impact - replace it immediately.

Extra Features

More vents provide better air circulation to keep your head cool.

Peaks and visors reduce glare and shield your eyes from the sun.

Choosing The Right Helmet

Warning: If in doubt don't take a risk. Ask in-store for guidance − we are always happy to help.

There are four simple steps to making sure your helmet fits correctly:

• Measure your head using a measuring tape (provided in-store).
• Check the helmet's size on the information ticket on the box and match this to your head size.
• Try the bike helmet on and check that it sits low on your forehead, just above your eyebrows. Shake your head and check that it does not move.
• Each helmet has an adjustable fit system. Use the straps provided to improve the fit if neccessary.

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Bike Lights Buyer's Guide

Why Go To Halfords

There are good reasons for buying your bike lights at Halfords:

• We are the UK's No. 1 bike accessory retailer and if we don't have the light you're looking for in-store, we can order it for you.
• We'll have it delivered within 48 hours.

Safety Guidelines. Choosing The Right Lights.

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Safety Guidelines

Legally you must have lights on your bike as soon as daylight starts to fade.

You need a white front light, to light your way, but most importantly, a red rear light and reflectors to make you visible to other road users.

At Halfords we recommend constant front lights and flashing rear lights.

Don't forget to wear high visibility clothing − even in daylight if possible.

Choosing The Right Lights

We stock a comprehensive range of lights and it can be difficult to choose. All our lights are manufactured and tested to ensure high quality but to help narrow down your search you might like to consider these questions:

• Do you need a front light, back light or both? We sell front and back lights separately but if you need both we suggest that you look at our sets for a really good deal.
• Do you know what type of bulb you need?
• The bulb can make a difference to the way the light performs. There are four main types of bulbs: LED, Xenon, Krypton and Halogen and we mention these names on our product pages. Please read on.
• Will you be riding at dusk or in the dark on unlit roads?
• All the bulbs will cope well when the light is fading but if you plan to ride when there is no light then look for an LED or Xenon bulb for extra power.
• Do you want to have a flashing light option? If so then you must choose an LED.
• Do you want to have a rechargeable light? These are ideal for use in extreme darkness and can be extremely powerful. They can save you money over time. However you need to look for an LED or Xenon, and it must say ?with rechargeable pack'.
• Does the light mention Candle Power? This is just an indicator or how bright the light can be when the batteries are fully charged.

Here's a quick comparison chart:

	LED	Xenon	Krypton	Halogen
Are you riding during dusk/early evening?	Y	Y	Y	Y
Are you riding at night on an unlit road?	Y	Y	N	N
Do you want to be able to recharge your lights?	Y some	Y some	N	N
Do you want flashing mode?	Y	N	N	N

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Bike Pumps Buyer's Guide

Why Go To Halfords

There are good reasons for buying your bike pump at Halfords:

• We are the UK's No. 1 bike accessory retailer and if we don't have the pump you're looking for in-store, we can order it for you.
• We'll have it delivered within 48 hours.

Guidelines. Choosing The Right Pump.

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Guidelines

When buying a bike pump you need to think about these factors:

• How many bikes do you regularly maintain?
• Where you want to keep it, on the bike itself or at home?
• How much time and effort do you want to save?

Choosing The Right Pump

There are four main types of bike pumps:

Traditional Hand Pumps simple

It's straightforward, it clips to the bike frame and it's light to carry.

However, it requires your effort to pump.

View our range of hand pumps.

Single Action Pumps fast

It's also straightforward, and it clips to the bike frame. It inflates 2 times faster than a hand pump – saving you time and effort.

View our range of single action pumps.

Dual Action Pumps – even faster

This is also straightforward, and it clips to the bike frame. It inflates 4 times faster than a hand pump – a great saving on time and effort.

It does this by pumping air on both strokes, increasing output efficiency.

View our range of dual action pumps.

Track Pumps for winners

Great news for the enthusiast with more than one bike, its high pressure, quick filling action means it inflates 8 times faster than a hand pump. It's designed to be kept at home to use before riding or taken to the track for a team event.

View our range of track pumps.

Extra Features:

For precise pressure control – look for a pressure gauge.

'Clever Valve' - automatically adjusts to fit Presta and Schraeder valves.

Bike Locks Buyer's Guide

Why Go To Halfords

There are good reasons for buying your bike locks at Halfords:

• We are the UK's No. 1 bike accessory retailer and if we don't have the lock you're looking for in-store, we can order it for you.
• We'll have it delivered within 48 hours.

Choosing The Right Lock

No lock is ultimately completely thief proof.

The highest security locks use a lot of hardened and strengthened materials, but this means they are inevitably relatively bulky, heavy and more expensive.

If you have a premium lightweight bike you may want to use such a high security lock to secure your bike in the garage or shed at home. However you may not want to have to carry the bulk and weight with you on a ride. In addition some bike frames do not have the space to accommodate carrying a large rigid shackle lock and you may need a more flexible cable lock which can fit into a more compact space or even be wrapped around the seat post. If you ride to work, you may be able to leave a high security lock at work, to save having to carry it with you as you ride.

So in choosing a lock you need to consider all of your security needs. You may need to make some compromises from the highest security to make necessary savings on weight, shape, and even the cost of the lock you choose.

There are four main types of locks. They all work well but it depends on where you normally leave your bike and what you have available to fix the bike to.

See more information on how to choose the right lock

Chain Locks

Heavyweight locks to use around robust anchor points.

Ideal for locking bikes and other objects at home in garage or shed.

Look for one with hardened steel links − the thicker the better.

Shackle Locks

Secures around standard shaped objects, e.g railings/frame.

Includes a mounting bracket to fit to the cycle.

Look for one with a 5-pin lock for high resistance to picking and drilling and hardened steel for strength.

Coil Cable Locks

Ideal to wrap around larger/awkward objects – they can be up to 185cm long.

Coil cable for compact storage and transportation.

Look for one with a vinyl cable cover to protect the bike against scratches.

Look for a key lock that is pick, pull and drill resistant.

Cable Locks

Easy to wrap around standard objects, e.g. railings.

Look for one with hardened steel cable for added strength or a twisted steel cable protected by hardened steel links.

Look for one with a vinyl cable cover to protect the bike against scratches.

Tips For Keeping Your Bike Secure

When buying, look our for the Gold Sold Secure symbol, which offers five times more security than the Bronze.

For maximum protection use both a shackle lock and a chain lock.

Keep your bike locked at all times when not in use.

At home try to keep it out of view by putting it in your garage or house, or lock it in your back garden. Chain locks or Shackle locks offer the best security.

For maximum protection use two locks: a shackle lock to lock your wheels to your frame and a permanently fixed object, and also a chain lock for added protection.

When away from home try to lock your bike to a fixed object like a lampost or bike rack. Avoid things that are easily cut, or things too short, where the bike can be simply lifted over.

Do not simply lock the bike to itself (frame to wheel). Thieves will carry the bike away and destroy the lock later.

Lock your bike in a well-lit area with a lot of people passing by.

Lock your bike where there are other bikes locked as well − the chances of your bike being the least secure is very unlikely.

However railway station bike parks are high risk areas, as thieves have a lot of bikes to choose from and plenty of time before the rider is likely to return. Always use maximum security locks in railway station bike parks. If you commute daily, you may be able to leave a high security lock at the station, to save carrying it with you as you ride.

Don't forget bike accessories. Take them with you or secure them with a second cable.

Check your house contents insurance to see if your bike is covered, whether at home or away.

Some policies specify that to be covered you must secure your bike using a minimum of Sold Secure silver or even gold lock. keep your proof of receipt to prove you have purchased an approved lock

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