Rand/Ross Mountain Bikes

CPSC Recall #98-099 — April 26, 1998

Recall Summary

Recall Number98-099
Recall DateApril 26, 1998
Remedy TypeRepair
Units Affected11,000

Where It Was Sold

Target
Price-Costco
Toys R Us and a limited number of bicycle shops sold these bicycles nationwide from February 1997 to March 1998 for about $200 to $300.

Product

Rand/Ross Mountain Bikes

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Rand/Ross Bicycle Co., of Farmingdale, N.Y., is recalling for adjustment 11,000 mountain bikes. The front suspension fork can separate from the frame of these bikes, causing riders to lose control and fall. Rand/Ross is aware of five reports of serious injuries which reportedly occurred when an improperly adjusted front suspension fork separated from the frame. These injuries included facial fractures and lacerations. These mountain bikes were distributed under the names Rock Machine 2600, Rock Machine 3600, Tarantula MRX 1200 and Ross Mt. Washington. They are adult sized and sold in various colors including silver and gray, blue, moss green, burgundy, metallic green and luster yellow. Their name and model numbers are written on the bike frames. Target, Price-Costco, Toys R Us and a limited number of bicycle shops sold these bicycles nationwide from February 1997 to March 1998 for about $200 to $300. Consumers should stop using the bicycles immediately and call Rand/Ross toll free at (800) 338-7677, extension #263 between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday. Consumers will be given the name of a local bicycle dealer/shop/technician who will make the appropriate tightening adjustment with a torque wrench free of charge. If consumers wish to make the adjustment themselves, they will be sent a free retro-fit kit. The retro-fit kit contains a 6-inch 6mm Allen wrench and instructions for tightening the bolts.

Hazard

The front suspension fork can separate from the frame of these bikes, causing riders to lose control and fall.

Incidents & Injuries

Rand/Ross is aware of five reports of serious injuries which reportedly occurred when an improperly adjusted front suspension fork separated from the frame. These injuries included facial fractures and lacerations.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the bicycles immediately and call Rand/Ross toll free at (800) 338-7677, extension #263 between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday. Consumers will be given the name of a local bicycle dealer/shop/technician who will make the appropriate tightening adjustment with a torque wrench free of charge. If consumers wish to make the adjustment themselves, they will be sent a free retro-fit kit. The retro-fit kit contains a 6-inch 6mm Allen wrench and instructions for tightening the bolts.

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.