Moongoose "Ally Cat" tandem bicycle accessories

CPSC Recall #02-040 — November 13, 2001

Recall Summary

Recall Number02-040
Recall DateNovember 13, 2001
Remedy TypeReplace

Where It Was Sold

Bicycle stores and retailers nationwide
including Wal-Mart
sold these bicycle accessories from March 2000 through July 2001 for between $80 and $130.

Product

Moongoose "Ally Cat" tandem bicycle accessories

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Pacific Cycle, LLC, of Madison, Wis., is voluntarily recalling to repair about 2,500 Ally Cat tandem bicycle accessories. The hitch connecting the tandem accessory to the host bicycle can fail, causing the tandem accessory to become unstable, which poses the risk of injury to riders.Pacific Cycle has received one report of the tandem bicycle accessory connection failing, resulting in abrasions to the rider of the tandem.The "Ally Cat" tandem bicycle accessory consists of a wheel, seat, pedals, and handlebars, and attaches to the host bicycle by a hitch. The recalled "Ally Cat" has the model number AC 100, AC 200, or AC 300, which is located on the top tube in products sold by independent bicycle retailers or L.L.Bean Inc. The accessories were sold at Wal-Mart Stores under the name "Mongoose Ally Cat," with the Mongoose name appearing on the down tube of the accessory. There is an aluminum sleeve on the hitch between the host bicycle and the accessory.Bicycle stores and retailers nationwide, including Wal-Mart, sold these bicycle accessories from March 2000 through July 2001 for between $80 and $130.Consumers should stop using these bicycle accessories immediately and call Pacific Cycle at (800) 626-2811 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday for a free replacement hitch and instructions. In addition, L.L Bean Inc., which sold these bicycle accessories by catalog, will contact each of their known purchasers to provide the needed replacement parts."Ally Cat" bicycle accessories with nylon or plastic sleeves on the hitch are not included in this recall.

Hazard

The hitch connecting the tandem accessory to the host bicycle can fail, causing the tandem accessory to become unstable, which poses the risk of injury to riders.

Incidents & Injuries

Pacific Cycle has received one report of the tandem bicycle accessory connection failing, resulting in abrasions to the rider of the tandem.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using these bicycle accessories immediately and call Pacific Cycle at (800) 626-2811 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday for a free replacement hitch and instructions.

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.

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.