CPSC Recall: Wolf SL Carbon Fiber Bicycle Forks from Cervelo SA

[severine]

Don't know if this applies to anyone, but I just got this email:

Cervélo SA Recalls Bicycle Forks Due to Fall Hazard

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 2008
Release #08-368

Firm's Recall Hotline: (866) 296-3137
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Cervélo SA Recalls Bicycle Forks Due to Fall Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in
cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall
of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled
products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Wolf SL Carbon Fiber Bicycle Forks

Units: About 5,800

Importer: Cervélo SA, of Switzerland

Manufacturer: True Temper Composite Material Products Co. Ltd, of
Guangzhou, China

Hazard: The forks steerer can break during normal use, causing the
rider to lose control, fall and suffer serious injuries.

Incidents/Injuries: Cervelo has received 12 reports of forks cracking
or breaking, resulting in one consumer suffering a broken wrist and
another suffering minor abrasions.

Description: The recalled forks have a clear coating over black painted
carbon fiber, with the words "Wolf Superlite" and related logo just
below the crown on each fork leg, and the letters "SL" on each leg above
the fork blade dropouts. There is a True Temper CRT(tm) logo on the
inside of both fork legs. The recalled forks could have been included on
the following bicycle models: R3, R3 SL, Soloist Carbon, Soloist Carbon
SL, and certain P3 Carbon framesets and complete bicycles.

Sold by: Independent bicycle retailers nationwide from November 2005
through July 2007 for about $475.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using bicycles equipped with
the recalled forks and contact their authorized Cervélo dealer to have
a free replacement fork installed.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Cervélo
toll-free at (866) 296-3137 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through
Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.cervelo.com/WolfSLRecall

Media Contact: Peter Donato at Special Assignment Inc. at (416)
964-6118.

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the
recalled product, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08368.html

 

[mondeo]

The recalled forks have a clear coating over black painted
carbon fiber

So, is anyone at the CPSC aware that you don't need to paint carbon to make it black?

 

[marcski]

More importantly and to the point, its interesting to note that the Cervelo, a highly regarded racing/high performance road bike manufacturer who charges a pretty penny for their frames have the fork...a major part, manufactured by a chinese plant.

I think there are only a few companies that actually source the actual carbon fiber and make the tubes themselves. That's why....some research is needed when purchasing a full carbon frame, in order to be sure you're paying for something that you really should be paying for!