EXP 120 front suspension forks

CPSC Recall #96-049 - December 18, 1995

Recall Summary

Recall Number96-049
Recall DateDecember 18, 1995
Remedy TypeReplace, Repair
Units Affected808
ManufacturerTange, Inc, of Osaka, Japan

Where It Was Sold

Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) stores and mail-order catalogues sold the suspension forks nationwide from October 1994 through November 1995 as original equipment on 1995 REI Novara Ponderosa mountain bikes.

Product

EXP 120 front suspension forks

Description

WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Tange, Inc, of Osaka, Japan is voluntarily recalling 808 EXP 120 front suspension forks. The fork crown may crack during use, which could cause the fork to separate from the bicycle. As a result, riders could lose control of the bicycle and fall, causing serious injury or death. To date, Tange has not received any reports of injuries associated with cracked forks. The silver-gray forks are identifiable by decals on the front sides of the fork legs which read "Tange EXP 120 Suspension." Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) stores and mail-order catalogues sold the suspension forks nationwide from October 1994 through November 1995 as original equipment on 1995 REI Novara Ponderosa mountain bikes. Consumers who own 1995 Novara Ponderosa mountain bikes with Tange EXP 120 forks should stop using the bicycles immediately and call REI customer service at (800) 828- 5533. REI and Tange will send consumers a new Manitou suspension fork free of charge and provide information on free installation. For more information, consumers should contact REI. Media inquiries should be directed to Michael Collins, REI Public Affairs Manager, at (206) 395-5956.

Hazard

The fork crown may crack during use, which could cause the fork to separate from the bicycle. As a result, riders could lose control of the bicycle and fall, causing serious injury or death.

Incidents & Injuries

To date, Tange has not received any reports of injuries associated with cracked forks.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers who own 1995 Novara Ponderosa mountain bikes with Tange EXP 120 forks should stop using the bicycles immediately and call REI customer service at (800) 828- 5533. REI and Tange will send consumers a new Manitou suspension fork free of charge and provide information on free installation.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace, 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 (Replace, 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.