Bicycle stems installed on 2002 and 2003 Cannondale bicycles

CPSC Recall #02-228 — August 14, 2002

Recall Summary

Recall Number02-228
Recall DateAugust 14, 2002
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 1,300
Manufacturer3T (Tecno Tubo Torino), of Italy
Manufactured InItaly

Where It Was Sold

Authorized Cannondale Bicycle dealers nationwide sold the stems from March 2001 through July 2002 for between $3
400 and $5
000 (includes the cost of the bicycle).

Product

Bicycle stems installed on 2002 and 2003 Cannondale bicycles

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Cannondale Corp., of Bethel, Conn., is voluntarily recalling about 1,300 bicycles with defective stems. The stem can break away from the bicycle, causing a loss of control, falls and serious injury to riders.Cannondale has received four reports of stems breaking, including one minor injury.The recalled stems are black and have the model name 3T ZEPP XL printed in white on the sides of the body of the stem. The faceplate also has "3T" printed in white at the front of the stem. The stems were installed on 2002 and 2003 model year Cannondale bicycles. The recalled stems were manufactured in Italy by 3T (Tecno Tubo Torino) and distributed by parent company, Gruppo, SPA.Authorized Cannondale Bicycle dealers nationwide sold the stems from March 2001 through July 2002 for between $3,400 and $5,000 (includes the cost of the bicycle).Consumers should stop riding bicycles with these stems immediately and contact a local Cannondale retailer for a free repair. Consumers can contact Cannondale at (800) BIKEUSA or visit the company's website at www.cannondale.com to find a local dealer.

Hazard

The stem can break away from the bicycle, causing a loss of control, falls and serious injury to riders.

Incidents & Injuries

Cannondale has received four reports of stems breaking, including one minor injury.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop riding bicycles with these stems immediately and contact a local Cannondale retailer for a free repair.

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.

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.