Update: Trek Recalls Road Bikes, Handlebars Over Crash Hazard
Trek is recalling about 3,200 bicycles and 900 aftermarket handlebar stems over concerns that the bicycle's handlebars can crack, posing fall and crash hazards [1].
This recall affects Trek Model Year 2022 Speed Concept SLR and MY 2021-2022 Emonda SLR bicycles and MY 2020-2021-2022 aftermarket Bontrager Aeolus RSL VR-C handlebar/stems.
"Trek has received 37 reports of broken carbon handlebars, including one report of injury involving scrapes and bruises," CPSC said.
The recalled items were sold online and at bicycle stores nationwide from May 2020 through June 2022 for between $8,800 and $13,500 for Speed Concept SLR models; from about $6,700 to $13,000 for Emonda SLR models and about $680 for the Bontrager Aeolus RSL VR-C handlebar/stem sold separately.
This recall began on August 25, 2022.
What's the Problem?
April 21, 2015 - Trek Bicycle Corporation is recalling nearly 1 million bikes in the U.S. for a safety issue that has caused multiple injuries, including a rider becoming paralyzed. Another fractured a wrist, and a third suffered facial injuries.
The recall involves Trek bikes equipped with a Shimano 'quick-release' lever on the front wheel that can get jammed in the disk brakes, causing the wheel to stop turning suddenly or separate from the frame while being ridden, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) [2]. When this occurs, the rider is likely to be pitched over the handlebars and injured.
Affected bikes are from model years 2000 to 2015, which were sold beginning in 1999 for $480-$1,650. Trek said it will replace the quick-release lever free of charge and is offering a $20 coupon good for Bontrager bike accessories.
"We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you," Trek said in its recall announcement. "We value you as a customer and want you to safely enjoy cycling on your Trek bicycle."
The recall affects 900,000 Trek bikes in the U.S. and 98,000 in Canada.
Trek Claims Lever Not Defective
Trek has not admitted to a manufacturing defect, and says the problem is due to improper use or adjustment of the lever rather than a flaw with the device; however, riders who have been injured are likely to disagree. The company also maintains that the levers or “skewers” are manufactured by a third-party vendor, and thus bicycles made by other companies may also feature them.
Shimano Issues Statement on Trek Recall
In a newsletter Shimano sent to product managers on May 15, the company acknowledged that it makes quick-release levers that open more than 180 degrees, and that these levers were included on bikes recalled by Trek on April 21.
"Shimano's Quick Release levers made of aluminum do not open more than 180 degrees from the closed position. However, Shimano's Quick Release levers made of steel can open more than 180 degrees from the closed position, and Trek's recall includes bicycles equipped with Shimano's Quick Release levers," said Koichi Tanaka, Quality Control Manager at Shimano.
Tanaka also pointed out that most bike brands would have specified this type of skewer, whether it was made by Shimano or another company. He said whether or not the skewer comes into contact with the rotor depends on the fork dropout and design.
"If you have a thick suspension fork, the lever may go well beyond 180 but still not come in contact with the rotor," Tanaka said. "So you really have to look at it by individual models. The fork dropout and design — everything together is what may allow a lever to touch the rotor."
13 Manufacturers Recall Over 1 Million Bikes for Quick Release Problems
November 3, 2015 - CPSC has announced a new recall by 13 bicycle manufacturers for about 1.3 million bikes in the U.S. over potential quick release malfunctions that can cause the devices to open to 180 degrees and come into contact with the front disc brakes. When this occurs, the bike may stop suddenly and cause serious injury to the rider. CPSC is working with the manufacturers and the Bicycle Product Suppliers Association (BPSA) to coordinate the recall. A complete list of affected bikes can be found at the CPSC recall site [3].
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Trek Disc Bikes Recalled due to Fall Hazard
January 20, 2017 - Trek is recalling about 1,500 disc bikes amid reports of front brake calipers coming into contact with a broken spoke, posing a fall hazard to the rider. The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has received at least 10 reports where either the wheel spoke contacted the bike’s brake caliper or the spokes broke at the hub, including one injury involving a broken vertebra [4].
Trek Recalls Super Commuter Electric Bicycles Due To Fall Hazard
Dec. 6, 2019 - The Trek Bicycle Corporation is recalling about 2,840 Trek Super Commuter+ 8S electric bicycles amid concerns that the front fender can fall onto the front wheel and stop the bicycle suddenly, posing a fall hazard to the rider [5]. Trek is aware of at least 2 reports of the wrong bolt being installed to secure the front fender to the fork crown. One serious injury resulting in a vertebrae fracture has been reported to the firm, according to the CPSC.
Do I Have a Trek Bike Recall Lawsuit?
You may be eligible to file a Trek Injury Lawsuit if you:
- Own a bike that’s involved in the recall (click on the Trek recall announcement above), you have been unknowingly at risk for injury since purchasing it.
- Were injured while riding the bicycle. Consumers who had an accident in which the front wheel suddenly stopped or the bike stopped for an unknown reason may not have realized that it was the lever that caused the accident.
- Have evidence of the accident/injury. Consumers who have records of medical treatment they received after the bike accident, as well as any other evidence indicating the quick-release lever may have played a role, may be able to use this evidence to support their allegations in court.
