A potentially dangerous issue with front wheel disc brakes has prompted the recall of 1.3 million bicycles in the United States. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the recall affects 13 manufacturers, including popular brands such as Giant, Cannondale and Specialized. The agency says the problems involves an open quick release lever on the bicycle’s front wheel hub, which can catch onto the front disc brake rotor; this may cause the front wheel to stop or separate from the bike and injure the rider.
Consumers who own the recalled bikes should “stop using the bicycles immediately and contact the recalling company for free installation of a new quick release on the front wheel,” the CPSC recall notice states. Three incidents, including one injury, have been reported so far.
Traditional brake pads use rubber pads to squeeze the wheel rim. Disc brake pads, on the other hand, have metal or ceramic pads clutching the disc brake rotor, making it easier for riders to brake in rain, dirt or mud. As such, they first became popular on mountain bikes.
The bikes were sold from 1998 to this year. Roughly 1.3 million units were sold in America and over 250,000 were sold in Canada and Mexico.
