Manitou Mach 5 Mountain Bike Suspension Forks
CPSC Recall #96-114 — April 29, 1996
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 96-114 |
| Recall Date | April 29, 1996 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | 69,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Bicycle dealers worldwide have sold the Mach 5 forks as original equipment on over 27 |
| 000 Trek |
| Fisher |
| Diamondback |
| Marin |
| Mongoose and other high-end bicycles. Bicycle dealers also sold over 41 |
| 000 forks as after-market equipment for $270 to $380. |
Product
Manitou Mach 5 Mountain Bike Suspension Forks
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC, Answer Products Inc. of Valencia, Calif., is voluntarily recalling 69,000 Manitou Mach 5 mountain bike suspension forks. The forks can crack and break, causing the front wheel to separate from the bicycle. As a result, riders could lose control of the bicycle and fall. Answer Products has received 49 reports of the forks cracking. Five consumers sustained injuries including cuts, bruises, and scrapes. The recalled forks have both the Manitou and Mach 5 logos on the sides of the lower legs. The fork's serial number is located on the back of the lower part of the fork leg. Mach 5 forks with serial numbers less than 5100086500 have outer leg castings that should be replaced. Forks with serial numbers between 5100086500 and 5100149464 should be professionally inspected by an authorized Answer Products retailer. If necessary, Answer Products will replace castings at no charge to the consumer. Bicycle dealers worldwide have sold the Mach 5 forks as original equipment on over 27,000 Trek, Fisher, Diamondback, Marin, Mongoose and other high-end bicycles. Bicycle dealers also sold over 41,000 forks as after-market equipment for $270 to $380. Consumers who own recalled forks should stop using them immediately and contact Answer Products, Inc. at 888.MTN.DISC (888.686.3472) 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Central Time or at [email protected] for instructions on returning the forks. Consumers can also return the fork to the store where purchased for free replacement. Mach 5 forks with red dots on the inside of the drop out have been inspected and are not subject to this recall, regardless of serial number. All Mach 5 forks with serial numbers greater than 5100149464 do not need further inspection and are not subject to this notice. Media inquires should be directed to Roger Gauvin, Answer Marketing Manager at (805) 294-4134.
Hazard
The forks can crack and break, causing the front wheel to separate from the bicycle. As a result, riders could lose control of the bicycle and fall.
Incidents & Injuries
Answer Products has received 49 reports of the forks cracking. Five consumers sustained injuries including cuts, bruises, and scrapes.
Remedy Instructions
Answer Products will replace castings at no charge to the consumer.
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.