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Bicycle industry issues its biggest voluntary recall due to disc brake QR concern

Disc Brake QR Safety Recall Notice

In the biggest voluntary recall the bicycle industry has ever witnessed, seventeen different brands have announced that over 1.5 million bikes sold in the US, Canada, and Mexico could pose a serious safety threat.

QR Recall Poster
QR Safety Recall Poster
by bicycleretailer.com

The issue is said to only affect disc brake bikes equipped with quick release skewers, the lever of which can then enter the disc brake rotor. (A list of affected bike brands at the end of this article.)

This follows a similar recall involving Trek Bicycle earlier this year in which nearly 1 million Trek bikes were recalled due to the same quick-release/disc brake concerns.

The recall involves most of the biggest players in the market, but according to Giant's Global On-Road Manager Jon Swanson, is an easy problem to fix.

"This recall only affects bikes with front disc brakes and a quick-release lever, " he said. "Concern has been expressed by many bike owners with disc brakes and a front through-axle rather than a quick-release skewer – these bikes are not affected, only those with the quick-release mechanism combined with disc brakes.

"All Giant retailers, along with the other bike brands affected, will simply swap the skewers in question for an upgraded model at no charge."

The problem with the quick-release skewers in question is that if they are not tightened properly or are left partially open, the lever can travel too far and come in contact with the brake disc, causing the front wheel to come to a sudden stop or separate from the bicycle.

Recalled quick release good and bad comparison

Specific models for each company and brand weren't named in the recall notice, but bikes affected date back as far as 1998 for some brands. Entry-level and top-of-the-line bikes were all affected, with the retail value ranging from as little as $200 all the way up to $10,000. Bike owners can check if the recall is applicable to them by visiting http://quickreleaserecall.com.

So far the recall has been limited to the US, Canada, and Mexico, but retailers in Asia, New Zealand, and Australia have been made aware of the issue and some are taking proactive measures to address it without a formal recall being announced.

So wherever you live, it is worth your while to check the recall website if you feel your bike may be affected – if you're still not sure, you can check by applying the #2 pencil test. This involves opening the lever and loosening the front-wheel quick-release cam, pushing the lever toward the brake disc rotor, and measuring the distance between the cam lever and the rotor. If the distance is more than a quarter of an inch (6 millimeters), your quick release mechanism is not affected by this recall. This can be checked by sliding an ordinary #2 pencil between the cam lever and the rotor. If the pencil cannot easily fit between the lever and disc rotor, take your bike into your local bike shop before riding it again.


Quick Release Recall Video - Watch to see if your bicycle is affected.

Finally, if you're still not sure, play it safe and get your bike checked by your local bike shop.

The bike brands and model years involved in this recall are as follows:


CompanyBrandModel Year(s)Web PagePhone Number
Accell North America Diamondback, Raleigh 2004-2015 www.diamondback.com
www.raleighusa.com
800-251-8435
800-251-8435
Advanced Sports International Breezer, Fuji, SE 2005-2015 www.breezerbikes.com
www.fujibikes.com
www.sebikes.com
888-286-6263
Cycling Sports Group Inc. Cannondale, GT 1998-2015 www.cannondale.com
www.gtbicycles.com
800-245-3872
800-843-2453
Felt Racing LLC Felt 2006-2015 www.feltbicycles.com 866-433-5887
G. Joannou Cycle Co. Inc. Jamis 2005-2015 www.jamisbikes.com 800-533-9010, ext. 237
Giant Bicycle Inc. Giant 2003-2004 www.giant-bicycles.com 866-458-2555
Haro Bikes Haro 2000-2015 www.harobikes.com 800-289-4276
LTP Sports Group Inc. Norco 2000-2015 www.norco.com 800-263-2344
(Eastern US and Canada)

800-663-8916
(Western U.S. and Canada)
Performance Bicycle Inc. Access 2009-2015 www.performancebike.com 800-727-2453
Quality Bicycle Products Civia Cycles 2008-2012 www.civiacycles.com 877-311-7686
Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) Novara 2002-2015 www.rei.com 800-426-4840
Ridley Bikes Ridley 2014-2015 www.ridley-bikes.com 877-283-7545
Specialized Bicycle Components Inc. Specialized 2002-2015 www.specialized.com 800-722-4423

 

More recall information:


:: Bicycle Product Suppliers Association (BPSA) centralized recall resource website.
:: Recall Notice on the CPSC website.
:: Recall Notice on the Health Canada website.
:: Recall Notice on the Profeco (Mexico Mexico's consumer protection agency) website. [PDF]

 

 

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Benny high res mtbAuthor: Marcus Speed
A former professional athlete, Marcus has a wealth of experience and has been a representative at both State and National level. A certified coach with Cycling Australia, he specializes in strength and endurance conditioning, and takes enormous pride in delivering a program to each athlete that gives them the tools to realise genuine improvement and satisfaction.
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