Specialized Bicycle is recalling nearly 7,000 bicycles sold in the United States last year and this year because of a defect that could cause the bike’s frame to crack. According to a news report, the dangerous defect could cause the bikes to break apart when jolted by an impact, such as riding over a pothole. The recall involves all Tarmac SL7 models sold by the Northern California-based bike company, with about 6,900 sold nationwide from July 2020 through August 2021.
Details of the Recall
Specialized retailers will contact affected customers via email, and the dealers will replace expander plugs and upgrade compression rings on the Tarmac SL7 bikes. The safety hazard surfaces when there are severe frontal impacts such as when the bicycle hits a pothole. This could cause a crack in the fork’s steerer tube, the company and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said in a safety alert.
A damaged fork could break after further use and lead to falls and injuries to riders. The company said it had not received any reports of injuries due to the defect. Tarmac SL7 bikes have the word “Tarmac” written on the back of the bicycle’s seat tube. They can be differentiated from the older generation Tarmac models by their hidden cable routing through the headset, according to Specialized.
Product Liability Issues
While a number of bicycle accidents are caused by a vehicle striking or colliding with a bicycle, many of these crashes occur due to faulty bicycle parts. When a bicycle, for example, has malfunctioning or faulty brake or steering parts, the bicyclist is more at risk of losing control of the bike, crashing into another vehicle, or hitting the pavement, suffering serious or even fatal injuries.
If you have been injured due to a faulty bike part, you may be able to seek compensation from the manufacturer by filing a product defect lawsuit. Victims can seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, rehabilitation, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
An experienced product defect lawyer can help examine the evidence and hold the negligent manufacturer concerned accountable for your injuries, damages, and losses.
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, which you suspect was caused by a defective part, it would be a good idea to preserve the bike in its current condition and not repair it until an expert has examined it for evidence of defects, malfunctions and potential design flaws.
Source: https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/specialized-bicycle-recalls-thousands-of-high-end-bikes-for-safety-hazard/2681876/
