Trek Bicycles is recalling nearly 1 million bikes for a safety issue

[Helene2013]

Major Trek recall
http://money.cnn.com/2015/04/22/news/trek-bike-recall/

Trek Bicycles is recalling nearly 1 million bikes for a safety issue that resulted in one rider becoming paralyzed.

The recall involves bikes with a "quick release" lever on the front wheel that can interfere with the disk brakes, causing the wheel to stop turning or separate from the bike frame, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The recall covers 900,000 Trek bikes in the United States and 98,000 in Canada.

Trek said it is aware of three incidents where the problem caused riders to be injured, including one that resulted in quadriplegia. The others involved facial and wrist injuries.

The bikes are from model years 2000 to 2015 and were sold nationwide beginning in 1999. The bikes, made in Taiwan and China, were sold at prices between $480 to $1,650.

The Wisconsin-based bike company said it will replace the quick release lever free of charge. It is also offering a $20 coupon good for bike accessories made by Bontrager.

"We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you," Trek says in a notice announcing the recall. "We value you as a customer and want you to safely enjoy cycling on your Trek bicycle."

[ny biker]

Read the whole story -- the safety issue occurs when the QR is left open while riding.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/trek-issues-massive-quick-release-skewer-recall

[zoom-zoom]

Although the recall affects a huge number of bicycles, Trek points out that the recalled skewers, known in the industry as QR11's, are not a Bontrager product but rather a commodity item from a third-party vendor. The part may or may not be branded and appears in various colours and finishes. This likely means that other brands might also be impacted with additional recall notices on the way.

I wonder if the QR on my Salsa mtn. bike will end up recalled. I'll have to see how that one works. I think Salsa makes their own skewers, so I'm thinking not. I'm about to sell it, so I really hope a potential recall doesn't happen. I'm selling it in part to finance a 50g. aquarium set-up (and also because I've ridden it like 2-3 times on gravel roads since busting my wrist and it's stupid for a nearly brand-new bike to be collecting dust in the basement) and if I have to wait for a new skewer that will be a serious PITA. But I'd hate to sell it and have a new owner then have to deal with this.

[Helene2013]

When you know there is a possible problem, it is easier to take care of it and avoid something.

If they sold nearly/over a million bikes and it "only" happened to a few people, it is not such a black picture. BUT. One injured person, is already one too many.

Better be safe then sorry and have it checked out or part replaced.

As for us, I know my husband is very meticulous about checking those skewers when he puts the wheels on our bikes and he tells me why and it is mandatory for me to check it out often. In case. Maybe because he's a mechanic and tends to see "danger" where I have no clue it may exist.

[Helene2013]

ah. and for those of us who are visuals here is a link someone else somewhere posted. It will give you a clear picture of what can happen with the skewer.

http://imgur.com/a/NrHXb

When my husband saw our new Specialized Crux at the shop (ordered but not picked up yet), he wondered why the skewer was on the other side. Now he probably has part of his question answered.

[rebeccaC]

putting it opposite the disc on the front and a bolt-on skewer on back makes sense to me or just get a skewer that can't interfere with the disc....in any case this is a good reminder to look at your skewers before you ride off....

[zoom-zoom]

putting it opposite the disc on the front and a bolt-on skewer on back makes sense to me or just get a skewer that can't interfere with the disc....in any case this is a good reminder to look at your skewers before you ride off....

Yeah, I never thought about it, but my thru-axle Mudhoney was a good choice for this reason, among others.

[ny biker]

I wonder if the QR on my Salsa mtn. bike will end up recalled. I'll have to see how that one works. I think Salsa makes their own skewers, so I'm thinking not. I'm about to sell it, so I really hope a potential recall doesn't happen. I'm selling it in part to finance a 50g. aquarium set-up (and also because I've ridden it like 2-3 times on gravel roads since busting my wrist and it's stupid for a nearly brand-new bike to be collecting dust in the basement) and if I have to wait for a new skewer that will be a serious PITA. But I'd hate to sell it and have a new owner then have to deal with this.

You could just replace the skewer yourself and tell the person who buys it that's you've addressed the potential problem.