If you have disc brakes on your mountain bike, pay close attention to the front wheel quick-release mechanism before your next ride.
Trek Bicycle Corporation has issued a recall for bikes equipped with disc brakes from model years 2000 through 2015.
According to the recall notice from Trek, the quick-release lever on a bicycle with front disc brakes, if installed improperly or left open, can open past 180 degrees. Should that happen, the lever could get caught up in the disc brake assembly, causing the front wheel to separate or come to a sudden stop and the rider to lose control of the bike.
Brian Beeson at Beemun’s Bike and Ski Loft in Soldotna, a Trek retailer, said people with affected bikes should not ride them until the recall repair is completed. The repair involves replacing the quick-release skewer with one that won’t open past 180 degrees. The recall covers all of Trek’s product lines, including Gary Fisher bikes.
“The main thing is, if your Trek or Gary Fisher bike has disc brakes, bring it in,” Beeson said.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission cites three reported accidents involving the quick release lever. One left the rider with a broken wrist, another with facial injuries, and one rider was paralyzed. The recall covers 900,000 bikes sold in the U.S., and 98,000 in Canada.
Beeson said the store started getting phone calls about the recall Wednesday morning.
Beeson said the first shipment of replacement parts is on the way and should arrive in the next few days, and the store will begin notifying customers and posting information about the recall. Beeson said Trek is offering owners of affected bicycles a $20 in-store coupon to be used on Trek-brand accessories.
Beeson said the recall may eventually include other brands of bicycles, as many manufacturers use the same components, but that Trek was being proactive.
Questions about whether a bike is affected by the recall may be directed to the Beemun’s Bike and Ski Loft staff at 907-262-1234. Trek also has a recall hotline, 1-800-373-4594.
Reach Will Morrow at will.morrow@peninsulaclarion.com.
