Specialized Recalls Popular Road Bike Models After Injury Reports

Injuries to at least two cyclists have prompted Specialized to recall three models of road bicycles, including the some popular Tarmac models.  Facial injuries are reported to have occurred to riders when the steerer tube in the fork broke, according to a press release from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.  The recall affects recent editions of the Tarmac SL4, Crux and Secteur models.  The steerer tube connects a bicycle's fork to the frame head tube.  Bicyclists should immediately stop using the bikes and contact an authorized dealer for an inspection and free repair.

Folding Bicycles Recalled Due To Reported Injuries

Tikit Folding Bicycle

Following at least six reports of product failure, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Bike Friday announced the recall of Tikit Folding Bicycles yesterday. The manufacturer, Green Gear Cycling, Inc., which does business as Bike Friday, received reports that the bike's handlebar stem broke leading to injuries.  A bicycle's stem attaches the handlebars to the fork making it central to the bike's steering.  Reported injuries included at least one incident of a head laceration requiring stitches, according to the press release from the Commission.

The folding bicycles, popular amount cycle commuters, were sold from 2007 until this year.  If you own one of these bikes you should stop using it and contact Bike Friday to schedule a free repair.

Specialized Recalling Some 12,000 Globe Brand Bicycles

About 12,000 Globe branded bicycles are being recalled, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today.  The Globe brand is distributed by Specialized Bicycles and manufactured in China.  The recall was prompted by reports of injures caused when the forks on some  Globe bicycles broke.  The Commission's press release does not make it clear what part of the forks is prone to break, but the defect has apparently caused facial fractures, and head and shoulder injuries of unspecified severity.

If you own one of these bikes, please stop riding it and contact an authorized Specialized dealer for a free fork and installation.

Not So Nice (bicycle) Rack Recalled

Salsa Cycles is recalling about 1,100 bicycle racks because they can break and cause riders to crash.  Yesterday, the company, along with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, announced the recall of Salsa's "Minimalist" bicycle racks after receiving reports of breakage causing rider injuries.  When mounted on the front of the bicycle, "The L-shaped mounting straps used to attach the bicycle rack to the front of the bicycle can break and cause the rack to fall while the bicycle is in use," according to a press release.  Certainly a front rack loaded with panniers or perhaps a 12 pack that suddenly fails could result in a scary situation for the rider.  The racks sold nationwide for about $80.

If you have one of these racks on your bike stop using it and contact an authorized Salsa dealer for inspection, re-mounting or a refund.

Injuries Due To Mountain Bike Suspension Fork Failure Leads To Recall

Bicycle component manufacturer Suntour and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today announced the recall of 17,000 SR Suntour suspension front forks.  A press release reporting the recall states, "The suspension fork’s internal support tubes can break and cause the rider to lose control, fall and crash."  There have been reports of at least 12 injuries due to fork failure, some resulting in lacerations and a dental injury.  The forks were sold with some 2011-12 Trek, GT and Giant mountain bikes.  If you own one of these forks you should contact an authorized Trek, GT or Giant dealer for a replacement.

Click here to learn more about this recall.

Gore Ride On Brake Cables and Housings Recalled

"Smooth, easy braking" is not so much with the combination of Gore Ride On brake cables and housings and Campagnolo braking systems.  W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today announced the recall of the Gore Ride On Low Friction System brake cables and Gore Ride On Professional System brake cables for road bikes.  When used with Campagnolo brake levels only the heads of the cables may detach from the levers, leaving the rider without a functioning brake.  Gore is aware of at least one incident of this occurring.  If you own this braking system contact Gore for a replacement kit.

Over 10,000 Fuji Bikes Recalled After Injuries

After reports of injured riders and at least a dozen frames breaking, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced yesterday the recall of about 10,500 Fuji Saratoga Women's Bicycles.  The Commission announced that "the bicycle's frame can break in the center of the downtube during use, causing the rider to lose control and fall."  There have been at least two reports of rider injuries, including "a head laceration requiring 20 stitches."  These bicycles, made in  China, were sold nationwide from late 2007 through the end of 2011.  If you own one of these bikes you should not ride it.  A Fuji Bicycle dealer will provide a free replacement frame.

Trek Announces Recall Over Seat Clamp Bolt Failure

A seat clamp bolt that may be prone to break has lead Trek Bicycles and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to announce the recall of some 27,000 Trek bikes.  The recall pertains to 2012 models which have exhibited hydrogen embrittlement in the bolt that secures the seat to the seat post and which has caused the bolt to break in some incidents.  In at least one incident, the failure of the bolt has led to a broken tooth and lip injury.  If you own one of these bikes contact an authorized Trek dealer for a free replacement bolt.

Are Some Shimano Dura Ace 7800 Cranksets Prone To Break?

What's up with Shimano Dura Ace 7800 cranksets?  I've recently heard stories from two attorneys in different parts of the country that these expensive "hollowtech" cranks may be prone to crank arm failure.  I wish to emphasize that to the best of my knowledge there has been no product recall announced, nor am I aware of an serious injury being linked to crank arm failure.  Still.  In one incident, a bicyclist was pedaling uphill when his Shimano Dura Ace 7800 crank arm "suddenly snapped, throwing him to the ground."  In another incident a cycling physician saw his crank brake while riding with it after only three years of use.

Fracture of a crank arm while under stress could certainly result in serious injury.  A brief search for more information online uncovered other anecdotes of crank failure.  However, it is not at all clear how widespread this problem is.

More Faulty Steering Tubes Lead to Recall

After receiving reports of four injuries, including a fractured wrist, Rocky Mountain Bicycles/Procycle Group, Inc. and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall of several Rocky Mountain Bicycle models due to steering tube problems.  According to a Release from the Commission, the front fork steering tube of the effected models can break, "posing a fall injury hazard."  Owners of the bikes are advised to stop using them and to contact Procycle with the serial number to arrange to receive a free replacement fork.

Salsa Handlebar Stems Recalled

This morning Salsa Cycles and the U.S. Product Safety Commission announced the recall of Salsa after market handlebar stems.  Both threadless and quill stems, which sold for about $65 from April through October 2010, are the subject of the recall.  The Commission reports that the stems can crack or break, "posing a fall hazard to the rider."  Click here for more information.

Two Bicycle Recalls Announced

Yesterday the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced two bicycle recalls. First, several high-end Specialized mountain bikes are being recalled due to a shock absorber mount that can break causing a fall hazard to the rider. The recall applies to 2010 26" Epic and 26" Era Bicycles. Click here to view the complete recall release.

Second, chopper-style bicycles from Nirve Sports, Ltd. are being recalled due to dangerous stems than can crack and cause the rider to lose control. The recall applies to models called "Red Star", "Skulls" and "Cannibal". Click here to view the complete recall release.