This week there are several large MTB recalls involving suspension forks and frames:
Trek is recalling 16,000 mountain bikes due to faulty suspension forks that can become misaligned leading to a loss of wheel control. No one has been injured yet but the recall affects 2009 Trek 7300, 7300WSD, and 7500 bikes. The suspension forks are marked “Bontrager SPA” and are manufactured by a Taiwanese company called JD Components.
Cannondale is handling a similar recall, though far fewer bikes are affected (just 1,500). The recall includes the 2008 Cannondale Adventure 2, Adventure 3, Adventure 2 Feminine and Adventure 3 Feminine which also use the JD suspension forks (these forks are labeled “cannondale AT35 adventure trail”).
Finally, Norco is recalling 36,000 2007 Team DH, 2008 Team DH, Aline Park, Aline, Atomik, Shore 1,2,3, and 2009 Atomik (without gussets) MTB frames due to an issue that may cause the frame to crack and separate. One rider fractured a collar bone after a fall due to a cracked frame. And these ain’t cheap frames either – most of these bikes sold for between $2,000 and $7,000.
In all three cases manufacturing was completed in Taiwan which may raise some eyebrows within the industry. It’s also interesting to note that Cannondale and Trek are using the same manufacturer for suspension forks on their low end mountain bikes leaving very little differentiation (other than marketing) between manufacturers.
