Trek Bikes Announces Massive Recall After Serious Injuries

Trek Bicycles is recalling almost 1 million bicycles due to an apparent flaw in the design of quick release skewers equipped on bikes manufactured between 2000 and 2015, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.  Several injuries have been reported including a fractured wrist, facial injuries and at least one incident in which a rider was rendered paralyzed, according to U.S.A. Today.

The problem is that the front quick release skewer on the recalled bikes opens past 180 degrees. When left opened during riding -- a frequent mistake made by less experienced riders -- the skewer can become lodged into disk brakes rotors causing the bike to stop suddenly hurling the rider forward.  Trek is offering to replace the offending skewers with skewers that cannot open past 180 degrees free of charge to owners who bring their bikes to authorized dealers.

For a further description of the problem please see the video below, courtesy U.S.A. Today:

 

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.

Recalled Bicycle Brakes May Be An Expensive Failure

Seen by some as an attempt to reinvent the bicycle road brake, eecycleworks' eebrake is a sexy and expensive road bike aftermarket add on.  Now, however, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has ordered the recall of these American made brakes.  The basis of the recall is that the bridge of the brakes may crack and fail posing a threat to the rider, according to a press release from the Commission.  The recall applies to some 400 units among which there have been two reported instances in which the bridge cracked.  Injuries resulted from at least one such instance.

Owners of these brakes are advised to stop using them and contact eecycleworks for a free bridge replacement.  The eecycleworks website contains a detailed instruction manual describing how to replace the bridge.

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.

Specialized Expands Recall Of Carbon Forks

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today the expanded recall of carbon fiber forks manufactured by Specialized.  Today's announcement added about 460 units to over 14,000 recalled in September, 2011.  The recall pertains to "Advanced Group" carbon forks.  "The brake component housed within the bicycle's carbon fork can disengage from the fork and allow the brake assembly to contact the wheel spoke while rotating," said the Commission.  Certainly, having a piece of the front brake fall into a moving front wheel could cause serious injury, although none have yet been reported.

Click here to read the full recall announcement.

If you have a bike with this fork you should contact a Specialized dealer for a replacement fork.

Nitto Handlebars Recalled

Handlebars made by well-regarded Japanese parts manufacturer Nitto have been recalled.  The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall after reports that the aluminum handlebars with model number B259AA may break during use.  These handlebars are particularly popular among fixed gear and single speed riders.  There are two reports of breakage resulting in at least one injury.  Users of the handlebars should contact Euro Asia Imports to receive a free replacement.

Giant Bicycle Fork Problem Elicits Recall

Once again, bicycles with fork problems are being recalled.  Today, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall of 2012 Giant Defy Advanced and Avail Advanced bikes.  Reportedly the forks can crack, posing a fall hazard to riders, though no incidents of injuries have been reported.  If you own one of these bikes contact a Giant dealer for a free inspection and replacement of the fork.

Click here to read the full press release.

Recall Announced Of Bicycle Helmets Marketed For Children

Due to a risk of head injury, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today announced the recall of "Little Tricky" and "Sector 9" bicycle helmets.  The helmets, made in China and imported by Triple Eight Distribution, Inc., are marketed for use by children.  They were sold nationwide from August 2006 through November 2011.  According to a news release from the Commission, "Product testing demonstrated that these helmets do not comply with CPSC safety standards for impact resistance."  A child wearing one of these helmets could sustain a serious injury in a fall or crash.

Consumers should not permit children to wear these helmets and should contact Triple Eight for a full refund.

Click here to view the complete press release.

Recall of Civia Bicycle Front Racks Announced

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Quality Bicycle Products yesterday announced the recall of front bicycle racks sold with Civia Loring bicycles and as an aftermarket upgrade.*  The company received one report of the rack mount breaking causing the rack, installed over the front wheel, to collapse causing injury to a rider.  If you have one of these racks you should remove it and contact the retailer from which you purchased it for a refund or replacement.

*Civia's website notes that the recall applies only to racks purchased as an aftermarket upgrade.  However, the Safety Commission's press release makes no distinction between racks purchased with the Civia Loring bicycle and those purchased as an upgrade.  It is not clear to me if or how the racks may be different, but consumers with one of these racks are encouraged to contact Civia/QBP with questions or concerns.

Bicycle Helmets Marketed For Aggressive Downhill Riding May Fail; Recall Announced

 The makers of Bell helmets, along with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, have issued a recall of some of its full-face bicycle helmets.  The plastic buckle that connects the chin strap of the helmet, marketed for aggressive downhill riding, can fail causing the helmet to come off the wearing's head.  Bell Sports has received one report of a buckle failure during a crash, resulting in injury.  Consumers are advised to stop using the helmets and to contact Bell Sports for a replacement or refund.

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.

Forked Up: Two Bicycle Recalls Announced Due to Faulty Forks

Two recalls were announced this week by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission due to faulty forks.  REI is recalling its Novara Fusion Bicycles because, "The alloy steerer tube could separate from the fork causing the rider to lose control."  These bicycles were sold at REI stores nationwide from November 2009 to November 2010.  If you own one of these bikes you should contact REI about receiving a replacement fork.  Click here to read the recall release.

Felt Bicycles is also recalling certain of this models due to concerns about faulty forks.  The recall affects all 2011 Felt F3, F4, F5 and F75 bikes with carbon fiber frames and forks.  The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that, "The bicycles' fork can break, causing the rider to lose control, fall and suffer injuries."  It is not clear in what way the forks can break.  Nevertheless, owners of these bikes are encouraged to contact Felt for a free inspection and repair.

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.

Head Tube Separation Prompts Recall of Redline Bicycles

This morning, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission ordered the recall of Redline D640 Bicycles.  It is reported that the head tube can become separated from the rest of the frame, posing "a risk of serious injury."  The importer of these Chinese made bikes, Seattle Bike Supply of Kent, Washington, is aware of eight reports head tube separation.    Consumers are instructed to "immediately stop using the recalled bicycles and contact a local Redline Bicycle dealer to receive a free frame replacement."

Giant Mountain Bike Recall Announced

Giant Bicycle, Inc. and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced on Friday the recall of the company's 2011 Anthem X 29er mountain bike.  "The frame can crack at the junction of the seat post and top tube, posing a fall hazard to riders," according to a release from the Commission.  No injuries were reported due to the defect.  If you have one of these bikes, stop riding it and contact an authorized Giant dealer for more information.