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Mountain bike handlebar stems

CPSC Recall #01-044 - November 29, 2000

Recall Summary

Recall Number01-044
Recall DateNovember 29, 2000
Remedy TypeReplace, Repair
Units AffectedAbout 8,000

Where It Was Sold

Independent bicycle dealers nationwide sold bicycles and parts kits with these stems and individual stems from March 1997 through April 2000. The stems sold for about $50.

Product

Mountain bike handlebar stems

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Profile Design LLC, of Carson, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 8,000 mountain bike handlebar stems. The stem connects the bicycle's handlebars to the fork. These stems can break during use, causing the bicycle rider to crash and suffer serious injuries. Profile Design has received reports of six riders crashing when the stems on their bicycles broke, resulting in teeth injuries, bruises and abrasions. This recall only involves "Stiffy"™ threadless mountain bike stems. Threadless stems clamp directly around the fork's steering tube. These stems were sold individually, and also on custom-built bicycles and in bicycle parts kits distributed by: - Porter Frames - Slingshot Bicycle Co. - Cicili Fondriest - Javelin Cycle - Hillside Mountain Cycles - Security Bicycle Accessories - Mountain Cycle - Ellsworth Bicycles - G. Joannou Cycle Co. - Simo Cycle Corp. - Jamis Bicycles - Samchulu Bicycle Co. - Softride Bicycle Co. The recalled stems have "Profile" and "Stiffy" written on them. The rear portion of the steer tube clamp is sharply angled (45 degrees) at the top and the front handlebar clamp has two bolts. The recalled stems were sold in black, red, blue, yellow and cream. Independent bicycle dealers nationwide sold bicycles and parts kits with these stems and individual stems from March 1997 through April 2000. The stems sold for about $50. Consumers should stop using bicycles with these stems immediately, and either call Profile Design to get a free replacement stem, or return the bicycle with the recalled stem to a Profile-Design retailer to have the stem replaced free of charge. For more information, call Profile Design toll-free at (888) 800-5999 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday. "Stiffy"™ stems with "Profile Design" written on the side and that have three bolts on the handlebar clamp are not included in the recall. 

Hazard

The stem connects the bicycle's handlebars to the fork. These stems can break during use, causing the bicycle rider to crash and suffer serious injuries.

Incidents & Injuries

Profile Design has received reports of six riders crashing when the stems on their bicycles broke, resulting in teeth injuries, bruises and abrasions.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using bicycles with these stems immediately, and either call Profile Design to get a free replacement stem, or return the bicycle with the recalled stem to a Profile-Design retailer to have the stem replaced free of charge.

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.

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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.

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.

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