Mountain Bike Suspension Forks

CPSC Recall #96-161 — July 8, 1996

Recall Summary

Recall Number96-161
Recall DateJuly 8, 1996
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedApproximately 10,000

Where It Was Sold

Toys "R" Us and Target stores sold the forks nationwide from May 1994 through August 1995 as original equipment on 1994 and 1995 26-inch Pacific Conquest
Cyclone
and Conqueror bicycles.

Product

Mountain Bike Suspension Forks

Description

WASHINGTON, DC - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Diversified Investments Corporation, doing business as Pacific Cycle USA of McFarland, Wis., is voluntarily recalling approximately 10,000 "Posi Track" mountain bike suspension forks. The forks may crack or separate, causing a rider to lose control of the bicycle and fall. Pacific Cycle USA has received 150 reports of these forks cracking or separating. Eight of these incidents resulted in injuries, including facial and dental injuries, a concussion, a fractured nose, a fractured jaw, cuts, and bruises. The metal forks have a black "Posi Track" decal on each fork blade (stanchion tube), which is secured to an alloy crown by two fouR-millimeter allen head bolts. Toys "R" Us and Target stores sold the forks nationwide from May 1994 through August 1995 as original equipment on 1994 and 1995 26-inch Pacific Conquest, Cyclone, and Conqueror bicycles. Consumers who own bicycles with the defective suspension forks should stop using the bicycles immediately and call Pacific's service department at (800) 283-3303 for a free replacement fork. "Posi Track" suspension forks with stanchions welded to the crown are not involved in this recall. In addition, "Posi Track" forks with colored decals are not involved in this recall.

Hazard

The forks may crack or separate, causing a rider to lose control of the bicycle and fall.

Incidents & Injuries

Pacific Cycle USA has received 150 reports of these forks cracking or separating. Eight of these incidents resulted in injuries, including facial and dental injuries, a concussion, a fractured nose, a fractured jaw, cuts, and bruises.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers who own bicycles with the defective suspension forks should stop using the bicycles immediately and call Pacific's service department at (800) 283-3303 for a free replacement fork.

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.