Headset Bearing Returns & Exchanges
Headset Bearing Returns & Exchanges
Bearings not fitting? It happens — manufacturers change parts mid-year, headsets get swapped over a bike's life, and specs aren't always what they seem. Whatever the reason, here's how we get it sorted. Exchanges go back out within 24 hours of reaching us.
Lost the form that came with your order? Print this one, or write your name, order number and what you need on a piece of paper.
13 Emanuel Close
Caerphilly
CF83 1SG
United Kingdom
Use the freepost envelope included with your order (Royal Mail 2nd Class).
Lost it? You'll need to pay the return postage yourself.
Please don't send photos or questions — just follow the steps below. Everything we need is on the returns form, and it's the fastest way to get your exchange or refund sorted.
How it works
Measure your old bearing
Measure the bearing that came out of your bike, so we can match it exactly. All five measurements, see below.
Fill in the form
Use the form from your order or download a new one. Tick refund, or tick the bearing you need from the list.
Post it back
Only the bearing(s) you're returning, plus the form, in the freepost envelope. Get proof of postage.
We sort it
Exchanges are actioned and sent back out within 24 hours of arriving. Refunds go back to your original payment method.
Please read before you send
Only send what you're swapping
If you're exchanging, only return the bearing(s) you need exchanged. We don't need the rest of your order.
We only stock what's on the form
We can only exchange for the bearings listed on the returns form. If the size you need isn't listed, we can only offer a refund.
Freepost is 2nd Class
The freepost envelope is Royal Mail 2nd Class, not an express service. Want it faster? You're welcome to pay for your own quicker return postage to us.
Get proof of postage
It isn't required, but it really helps. If a return goes missing in the post and you don't have proof of postage, we won't be able to help.
Ordered for the right bike?
We sent what the manufacturer specifies for it, so what's fitted doesn't match their spec. We need your old bearing's measurements to find the right one. If your bike is a slightly different model or year, note it on the form.
Product photos are illustrative
We use the same image across 300,000+ bike variations — it's the only way we can list more bikes than anyone else. A bearing that looks different to the photo isn't a packing error.
Lost the envelope?
We can't afford to send a second freepost envelope. If you've lost it, you'll need to pay the return postage yourself.
We don't send before you return
We can't send out new sizes ahead of receiving your return — it's against our policy. In a rush? See below.
In a rush?
Order the bearings you need straight away from our angular contact headset bearing listing, then return the ones that don't fit separately for a refund.
Measure it properly
Getting all five measurements is the quickest way to the right bearing. Every headset bearing is identified by five numbers:
- Inner diameter (ID) — the bore, in mm.
- Outer diameter (OD) — across the outside edge, in mm.
- Thickness — the height of the bearing, usually 5.5–8mm.
- Chamfer angle, both sides — 45°, 36° or square (90°). They're often different on each side.
Clean the bearing first — dirt, grease and corrosion all add size.
Our free Headset Bearing Measuring Guide has printable to-scale rings, a thickness gauge and cut-out 36°/45° angle gauges to narrow it down fast.
For a definite match, confirm ID, OD and thickness with digital callipers.
Our returns policy
We're flexible. If your bearings don't fit, we'll swap them for ones that do — even outside 14 days, within a reasonable time.
- Actioned and sent back out within 24 hours of us receiving your return.
- Based on the measurements of your old bearing — not on re-checking the same bike.
- Only for bearings listed on the returns form. Not listed? We can only offer a refund.
- Not sure which one you need? Leave the exchange choice blank, fill in your measurements and we'll match it for you.
Request a refund within 14 days of delivery.
- Bearings must be unused and returned in a resaleable condition.
- Refunds go back to your original payment method once your return arrives and has been checked.
UK orders only
We can only accept returns and exchanges on orders delivered within the UK. We don't accept international returns.
Questions
Why didn't my bearings fit?
It can happen for lots of reasons — manufacturers sometimes change headsets mid-year, a headset may have been replaced since the bike was new, or the year or model listed for a bike isn't quite what's fitted. Whatever the reason, measuring the old bearing and sending the form back is the quickest way to get the right one.
I ordered for the right bike — can you just send the correct ones for it?
If the order was placed for the right bike, we've already sent what the manufacturer specifies for it — so whatever is fitted doesn't match their spec, and sending the same again won't help. We need the measurements of the bearing that came out of your bike to find what's actually there. If your bike is a slightly different model or year to the one ordered, note it on the form and we can look into the specs for that instead.
The bearing doesn't look like the product photo — was it packed wrong?
No. Our product photos are illustrative: we use the same image across more than 300,000 bike variations on the site. It's the only way we can list more bikes than anyone else, so a bearing that looks different to the photo isn't a packing error. Go by the measurements, not the picture.
Should I message you or send photos first?
No need. Everything we need is on the returns form — just measure your old bearing, fill in the form and post it back. Following the process is the quickest way to get it sorted.
I've lost the freepost envelope — can you send another?
Sorry, we can't afford to send a second freepost envelope. Cut out the address label on the returns form (or write the address above on your own envelope) and pay the return postage yourself. Get proof of postage.
Can you send a different size first and I'll return these after?
No — it's against our policy to send out bearings before we receive your return. If you're in a rush, order the size you need from our angular contact listing and return the ones that don't fit separately for a refund.
How long will my exchange take?
We action exchanges and send them back out within 24 hours of receiving your return. The freepost envelope is Royal Mail 2nd Class, so allow a few working days for it to reach us. If you want it quicker, pay for a faster service yourself.
I don't know which headset number I need.
Leave the exchange choice blank on the form, fill in your measurements and we'll match it for you when it arrives.
My return went missing in the post.
If you have proof of postage, email the-bike-house@hotmail.com with your order number and the proof of postage reference and we'll look into it. Without proof of postage, we won't be able to help.
Do I need to send back my whole order?
No. Only send back the bearing(s) you want exchanged or refunded.
The size I need isn't on the form.
We only stock the bearings listed on the returns form, so we can't exchange for a size that isn't listed. We can offer a refund instead (within 14 days of delivery).
I've lost the returns form.
Download a new one here. No printer? Write your name, order number, the headset number you received, your old bearing's measurements and what you'd like (exchange or refund) on a piece of paper and pop it in with the bearing.
Can I return from outside the UK?
No — sorry. We only accept returns and exchanges on UK orders.
Ready to send it back?
Download the form, measure your old bearing and post it to the address above. No need to message us — following this process is the fastest way to get it sorted.
