Thermoplastic Carbon Fiber Girvin CL Suspension Forks

CPSC Recall #96-168 — July 17, 1996

Recall Summary

Recall Number96-168
Recall DateJuly 17, 1996
Remedy TypeReplace
Units Affected120

Where It Was Sold

Authorized Girvin dealers sold the Girvin CL forks nationwide from March 1996 through June 1996 as after-market equipment for $599.

Product

Thermoplastic Carbon Fiber Girvin CL Suspension Forks

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC, Girvin Incorporated of Woonsocket, R.I., is voluntarily recalling 120 Thermoplastic Carbon Fiber Girvin CL Suspension Forks with legs manufactured by Applied Fiber Systems (AFS). The mountain bike forks may crack or separate, causing a rider to lose control of the bicycle and fall. Girvin Incorporated has received four reports of forks breaking. CPSC is not aware of any injuries associated with the forks. The lightweight, black forks have white "Girvin" decals on each leg and yellow drop-outs. The recalled forks have serial numbers between 039297 and 040478 stamped on the bottom of the top fork link, the metal piece connecting the legs at the top of the fork. Authorized Girvin dealers sold the Girvin CL forks nationwide from March 1996 through June 1996 as after-market equipment for $599. Consumers who own bicycles with the defective Girvin CL Suspension Forks should stop using the bicycles immediately and call Girvin Incorporated Technical Services at (800) 447-3824, extension 316. Girvin Incorporated will give consumers a free set of aluminum legs until replacement carbon fiber legs are available.

Hazard

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

Incidents & Injuries

Girvin Incorporated has received four reports of forks breaking. CPSC is not aware of any injuries associated with the forks.

Remedy Instructions

Girvin Incorporated will give consumers a free set of aluminum legs until replacement carbon fiber legs are available.

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.