NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jane Francis
July 1, 1997 (301) 504-0580 Ext. 1187
Release # 97-149

CPSC, Shimano Announce Recall of Bicycle Components

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Shimano American Corp. of Irvine, Calif., is voluntarily recalling more than 1 million cranks installed on bicycles in North America. The crank is used to connect the pedal to the frame of the bike. If the crank breaks, the rider's leg can be injured by contact with the broken crank or the rider can lose control of the bike, fall and be injured.

Shimano has received more than 630 reports of cranks breaking in North America resulting in 22 injuries, including cuts and fractures.

The cranks have been installed on more than 200 models of bicycles manufactured since 1994 and sold under at least 49 brand names. Most bicycle manufacturers have sold bicycles that are involved in this recall. The cranks also may have been installed as an upgrade as part of the Altus, Acera and Alivio groups of components. The cranks are numbered FC-CT90, FC-M290 and FC-MC12. These numbers are located on the back or inner side of the right crank arm.

Consumers should check their bicycles' crank assemblies. If they are involved in this recall, consumers should stop using their bicycles immediately and call Shimano at 800-353-4719 to arrange for the free replacement and installation of a new crank assembly at a nearby authorized repair shop. Consumers can also arrange for the free replacement with their bicycle dealers.

List of 49 bicycle brands that may have installed Shimano cranks:
 
Alpinestar Iron Horse  Norco Specialized
Balance Jamis Novara Schwinn
Bianchi Kona Oryx Scott
Caloi L.L. Bean Parkpre Signature
Cannondale Marin Pavan Softride
Cycle Pro Maxam Performance Terry Precision
Diamondback  Mikado Peugeot Timberline
Dirt Research Mongoose Proflex Trek
Fisher Mtn. Tek Raleigh Univega
Fuji Motiv Research Dynamics  Victoria Precision
GT Murray Roadmaster
Giant Nashbar Ross
Huffy Nishiki Royce Union

Other brands also may have installed Shimano cranks. Consumers should check their bicycles.

Picture of Recalled Product



The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the public from the unreasonable risk of injury or death from 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury and for information on CPSC's fax-on-demand service, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270. To order a press release through fax-on-demand, call (301) 504-0051 from the handset of your fax machine and enter the release number. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's web site at http://www.cpsc.gov or via Internet gopher services at cpsc.gov. Consumers can report product hazards to info@cpsc.gov.

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