Chain Reaction

Take advantage of our deals to pick up everything from bike frames to energy drinks at competitive rates, with a little cashback bonus after you buy. What are you waiting for?

Why shop with Chain Reaction?

Today Chain Reaction is the go-to online retailer for all things cycling, but back in 1984 it was a small family business supporting a local community of cyclists in Northern Ireland.

After going online in 2000, the retailer grew fast, to the point that it was bought by Wiggle Ltd – another Quidco partner – in 2017, forming what’s now known as the Wiggle-CRC Group. In addition to Chain Reaction's online shop, there’s also a flagship store in Belfast, with over 180 bikes on display, a broad range of clothing and accessories for both cycling and running, and expert staff on hand to dish out advice.

Chain Reaction bikes

The Chain Reaction team are passionate cyclists themselves, so you don't just get a great range of products – you also get expert advice. And you don't have to travel to the Belfast store for it. If you're not sure what part to order, or you're buying your first bike and need help with sizing, you can contact the tech team by phone or email.

Chain Reaction hires real racers and serious club riders to staff the team, so you'll be dealing with people who've been there, and who have personally used many of the products on offer. (There are some staff profiles on the Our Team page if you want proof!)

On top of tech advice, you can also read product reviews from Chain Reaction's other community of experts: its customers. Try filtering your search results by rating to find products other shoppers have loved.

Essentials for the ride: Chain Reaction helmets, shoes and more

It isn't every day you invest in a new bike, but if you're a serious cyclist, you're probably shopping for accessories, clothing, supplements and training aids on a regular basis. Chain Reaction has a huge range of those essentials, and the website's handy filters help you get straight to products that are right for your riding style.

That's particularly handy when shopping for helmets and shoes – there's a big difference between simple road helmets, full-face and dirt jump; and a road shoe is very different to an MTB shoe (Chain Reaction stocks the lot, of course). You'll also find loads of ways to kit out your bike, from GPS computers and cameras to panniers and baskets.

Train and compete

If you take your cycling REALLY seriously, dive into Chain Reaction's range of training and competition gear. From high-quality bib tights and wetsuits to the latest turbo trainers, power meters and Garmin GPS devices, you’ll find everything you need to get yourself race-ready.

It’s not just cyclists that Chain Reaction caters for. There are whole sections dedicated to runners and triathletes too. Head to the Tri section to shop for specialist race and compression wear, TT bikes (that's 'time trial', for any newbies reading this), road bikes, aero bars, and even a range of nutritional products. For runners, there's a great range of heart rate monitors and GPS smartwatches to help you track and tweak your performance.

Look the part

Don't let anyone tell you the look doesn't matter! Whether you're a beginner or a pro, you need to be stepping out there with pride and confidence. What's more, the right gear can have a material effect on your performance and safety.

Shop Chain Reaction Clothing and Footwear pages for great prices on stylish and functional kit, including cycle jerseys, shorts, gloves and socks. And while you’re there, be sure to stock up on compression wear for training periods, and base layers for the colder months.

There are plenty of ways to browse for all of this: you can search by discipline (MTB, road, city, tri, BMX, run), clothing category or brand. The colour filters are particularly handy, helping you to jump straight to the shades you like best. Top tip: try the 'Multi' filter for some truly head-turning patterns and logos.

Cycling tips and motivation

Whatever stage of your cycling career you're at, Chain Reaction will have something to inspire you. If you're toying with switching to a bike for the morning commute, check out the cycle to work scheme, which can help you save between 32% and 42% on your gear and spread the cost over 12 or 18 months (your employer will need to sign up too, but many already have).

For riding, shopping and training advice, plus news of product launches and events, check out The Hub, Chain Reaction's online magazine. As well as regular articles it hosts detailed buying guides, rider profiles and occasional competitions.

Chain Reaction returns and delivery

As we're already seen, Chain Reaction has a superb range that's helpfully broken down by discipline, with category and style filters to get you straight to what you need. When it comes to buying, there's free standard delivery on all orders over just £12, including bikes.

Alternatively, you can choose from one of the paid delivery services, which include priority tracked delivery, Collect+, and next day tracked or express delivery. As for returns, you have up to 12 months to return items you don't want, as long as they're unused.

You're also covered by a warranty on anything you buy from Chain Reaction, so if you do use your purchase and feel that's faulty in some way, you can make a claim for a replacement or refund.

5 ways to make the most of your Chain Reaction

cashback

There are loads of ways to earn cashback with Chain Reaction, from buying a new bike to building your own or kitting yourself out with top-of-the-range accessories. We've come up with a few ideas to get you started…

1. Buy the perfect bike

Ok, this one's fairly obvious. Bikes are Chain Reaction’s bread and butter. The point is there’s a huge variety to explore online, so you can go in search of The One and be pretty confident all your options are here. Maybe it's a lightweight BMX with a 21" toptube in metallic red.

Maybe it's a full-carbon road racer in lime green. Or maybe you're looking for an electric bike for the commute, a hybrid that can tackle roads and trails, or an affordable single-speed model for everyday use. Whatever it is, it's probably here, and the site's filters will help you find it.

2. … or build your own

True obsessives put together their own rig, of course, and you can shop Chain Reaction for everything you need for a custom build. Head straight to the Components section to find high-quality essential parts, from frames and forks to wheels and brakes, then add more custom touches by choosing your own bar tape, pedals and saddle.

Don't forget to pick up the less glamorous stuff too – the nuts, bolts and cables you'll need to fit it all together. If you're doing your first build, it's worth having a dig around on The Hub for advice pieces and news, or dropping the tech team a line to ask which parts will work best for your needs.

3. Chain Reaction tyres

You don't have to be planning a fully customised build to benefit from Chain Reaction's range of parts. Simply switching out your wheels can make a huge difference to your ride and your performance. Head to the Wheels & Tyres section to browse all the relevant parts.

If you just want to replace your factory-fitted wheels with something lighter, shop for complete wheelsets; if you want to get more bespoke and hands-on, you can break the wheel down to its essentials, picking your own hubs, spokes, rims, brakes and tyres. And as ever, the tech team are on hand to help you with any queries.

4. Kit yourself out for a cycling trip

Riding somewhere new is always a treat. Getting there with a bike in tow? Not so much. Whether you're heading off on a cycling holiday or travelling for a race, make the journey easier by shopping transportation and storage gear, as well as personal bags that help you carry the essentials while you ride.

Head to the Bags section for backpacks, panniers, wheel bags, bike bags and more, including heavy-duty pro bags for serious racers.

5. Give the perfect cycling gift

If you’re looking to treat the bike fan in your life, look no further. Clothing and accessories make brilliant presents, and Chain Reaction's customer reviews and ratings can really help if you're new to cycling gear. Alternatively, go for a gift voucher – because after all, they know best which parts they need and which brands they prefer.

We're impressed with the flexibility of Chain Reaction's vouchers too, with custom amounts available and a choice of themed e-card backgrounds. Do check the T&Cs before buying though, as gift voucher purchases might not be eligible for cashback.

Shopping with Chain Reaction

We hope you're ready to start shopping now – but if you've still got any questions about Chain Reaction, you might well find the answers below. If not, there's a full FAQ section on the website.

How can I contact Chain Reaction?

There are plenty of ways to get in touch with Chain Reaction. Live chat and phone lines are open during the day, and you can email the customer service team at any time. There’s also an online contact form on the website. For the latest contact details and contact hours, check the website.

What is Chain Reaction's returns policy?

You have 12 months to return unwanted items, but you'll need to return them unused. For bulky items, such as bikes, you'll need to get in touch with customer services to arrange the return. Purchases are also covered by a warranty, and you can make warranty claims through the website.

What are Chain Reaction’s delivery times like?

If you opt for standard delivery, you can expect to receive your items within three or four days. Alternatively, you can pay a little extra for next day delivery (including an express service that guarantees delivery by noon the next day).

Can I track my Chain Reaction order?

Yes, you can track your order on the website. Go to Your Account > View Orders and follow the instructions from there.

Are there Chain Reaction stores in the UK?

Chain Reaction has a single store in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The 10,000 sq. ft. store has over 180 bikes on display, lots of expert staff on hand, and free parking. It's a great option if you're in the area. For everyone else, online is the best bet. And remember – you'll need to shop online through our offer links to qualify for cashback.

Can I click and collect with Chain Reaction?

Yes. Choose Collect+ from the delivery menu to pick up your items from a convenient location near your work or home. It's free on orders of £12 or over.

More offers with brands like Chain Reaction

Can't get enough of cashback offers on bikes and accessories? We hear you. Shop through Quidco to earn cashback at Halfords, Evans Cycles, Wiggle Online Cycle Shop and Rutland Cycling.

Even though we do our best to keep the information on this page up-to-date, it may be out of date from time to time.