Marin-brand mountain bikes with aluminum frames
CPSC Recall #02-229 — August 14, 2002
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 02-229 |
| Recall Date | August 14, 2002 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 1,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Independent bicycle stores nationwide sold these mountain bikes from August 1998 through July 2002 for between $280 and $900. |
Product
Marin-brand mountain bikes with aluminum frames
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Marin Mountain Bikes, of Novato, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 1,000 Marin-brand, aluminum-framed mountain bikes. The steer tube on the front of these bicycles can break off from the two main tubes of the frame causing the rider to lose control, fall and possibly suffer serious injury.Marin has received two reports of the steer tube breaking off, resulting in two injuries that included broken bones, broken teeth, cuts and abrasions.The recall involves Marin-brand mountain bikes with aluminum frames. There are seven model bikes with 11.5-inch frames and one model with a 13.5-inch frame. The 11.5-inch bikes have the following model names: Bobcat Trail, Hawk Hill, Palisades Trail, Pioneer Trail, Nail Trail, Stinson and Rocky Ridge. The 13.5-inch model has the model name Quake. The model name is written on the top tube of the mountain bikes. To determine the size of the frame (11.5-inch or 13.5-inch), measure from the center of the crank arm to about 1 inch below the seatpost clamp.Independent bicycle stores nationwide sold these mountain bikes from August 1998 through July 2002 for between $280 and $900.Consumers should stop using the recalled bikes immediately and contact Marin Mountain Bikes to learn where to take their bikes to have the frames replaced free of charge. For more information, contact Marin at (800) 876-9840 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or go to the firm's website at www.marinbikes.com.
Hazard
The steer tube on the front of these bicycles can break off from the two main tubes of the frame causing the rider to lose control, fall and possibly suffer serious injury.
Incidents & Injuries
Marin has received two reports of the steer tube breaking off, resulting in two injuries that included broken bones, broken teeth, cuts and abrasions.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the recalled bikes immediately and contact Marin Mountain Bikes to learn where to take their bikes to have the frames replaced free of charge.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace 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 (Replace) at no cost to you.
Furniture tip-overs are a leading cause of pediatric injuries in the U.S., particularly dressers, bookcases, and television stands. CPSC data shows that a child dies approximately every two weeks from a furniture or TV tip-over. Unstable high chairs, baby swings, and bouncers are also frequent recall subjects due to fall risks. ASTM International standards now require that certain furniture must meet tip-over resistance standards, and CPSC has been actively pursuing mandatory requirements for dressers and chests. If you have furniture that was not recalled but feels unstable, wall-anchoring kits are widely available at hardware stores.
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.