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CPSC, Answer Products Announce Mountain Bike Suspension Fork Recall

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Name of Product:
Manitou Mach 5 Mountain Bike Suspension Forks
Hazard:

The forks can crack and break, causing the front wheel to separate from the bicycle. As a result, riders could lose control of the bicycle and fall.

Remedy:
Replace
Recall Date:
April 30, 1996
Units:

69,000

Consumer Contact

Media inquires should be directed to Roger Gauvin, Answer Marketing Manager at (805) 294-4134.

Recall Details

Description:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC, Answer Products Inc. of Valencia, Calif., is voluntarily recalling 69,000 Manitou Mach 5 mountain bike suspension forks. The forks can crack and break, causing the front wheel to separate from the bicycle. As a result, riders could lose control of the bicycle and fall.

Answer Products has received 49 reports of the forks cracking. Five consumers sustained injuries including cuts, bruises, and scrapes.

The recalled forks have both the Manitou and Mach 5 logos on the sides of the lower legs. The fork's serial number is located on the back of the lower part of the fork leg. Mach 5 forks with serial numbers less than 5100086500 have outer leg castings that should be replaced. Forks with serial numbers between 5100086500 and 5100149464 should be professionally inspected by an authorized Answer Products retailer. If necessary, Answer Products will replace castings at no charge to the consumer.

Bicycle dealers worldwide have sold the Mach 5 forks as original equipment on over 27,000 Trek, Fisher, Diamondback, Marin, Mongoose and other high-end bicycles. Bicycle dealers also sold over 41,000 forks as after-market equipment for $270 to $380.

Consumers who own recalled forks should stop using them immediately and contact Answer Products, Inc. at 888.MTN.DISC (888.686.3472) 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Central Time or at manitoutech@hayesbicycle.com for instructions on returning the forks. Consumers can also return the fork to the store where purchased for free replacement.

Mach 5 forks with red dots on the inside of the drop out have been inspected and are not subject to this recall, regardless of serial number. All Mach 5 forks with serial numbers greater than 5100149464 do not need further inspection and are not subject to this notice.

Media inquires should be directed to Roger Gauvin, Answer Marketing Manager at (805) 294-4134.

Remedy:

Answer Products will replace castings at no charge to the consumer.

Incidents/Injuries:

Answer Products has received 49 reports of the forks cracking. Five consumers sustained injuries including cuts, bruises, and scrapes.

Sold At:
Bicycle dealers worldwide have sold the Mach 5 forks as original equipment on over 27,000 Trek, Fisher, Diamondback, Marin, Mongoose and other high-end bicycles. Bicycle dealers also sold over 41,000 forks as after-market equipment for $270 to $380.
Recall number:
96-114

Note: Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.

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About the U.S. CPSC

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.

Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.

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