Adams Trail-a-Bike or Adams Slipstream Bicycle Attachment
CPSC Recall #05-080 — January 6, 2005
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 05-080 |
| Recall Date | January 6, 2005 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | About 80,000 |
| Importer | Norco Products Ltd., of British Columbia, Canada |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Independent bicycle stores nationwide from January 1996 through October 2004 for between $125 to $295. |
Product
Adams Trail-a-Bike or Adams Slipstream Bicycle Attachment
Description
The recall involves the Adams Trail-A-Bike or Adams Slipstream sold under the following models: Starter, Folder, Shifter, Shocker, Ultimate Tandem, Deluxe Folder, Me 2 and Original. "Trail-A-Bike" or "Slipstream" is printed on the top tube of the bicycle attachment and "Adams" is printed on the chain guard. The product resembles a children's bicycle without a front wheel and has an elongated top tube that stretches to attach to the seat post of an adult bicycle, creating a tandem. The product was sold for use by children ages 4 to 7.
Hazard
The hardware used in the assembly of the universal hitch may come loose causing the unit to separate from the lead bicycle, which could lead to a serious injury or death to the rider of the bicycle attachment.
Incidents & Injuries
Norco Products has received two reports of hardware falling out of the hitch assembly. One minor injury reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact their local bicycle dealer to arrange for an inspection and to receive a no charge repair kit to be installed for free.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Repair) at no cost to you.
Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.