Recall: Bicycle Indoor Training Stands Recalled by Minoura

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 9, 2000 Release # 00-160

Minoura Recall Hotline: (800) 601-9592 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Kim Dulic, (301) 504-7058 Minoura Contact: Jeff Zell, (800) 601-9592

CPSC, Minoura Announce Recall of Bicycle Indoor Training Stands

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Minoura Company Ltd., of Japan, and Minoura North America, of Fremont, Calif., are voluntarily recalling about 29,500 bicycle indoor training stands. These stands allow regular bicycles to be used as stationary bicycles. The flywheels, which are red or blue can fracture in use. Metal pieces of broken flywheels can hit riders or bystanders, causing cuts and bruises.

Minoura has received three reports of injuries from pieces of broken flywheels, resulting in lacerations on riders' legs.

This recall only involves Minoura, Schwinn, Performance or Univega brand stands with painted red or blue exposed flywheels. The brand names are written on the stand and the flywheels are about 5 inches in diameter. The company will help consumers determine if their stand is part of this recall.

Bicycle stores and catalogs, including Performance, sold the stands nationwide from January 1989 through December 1994 for between $120 and $180.

Consumers should stop using these stands immediately, and call Minoura to receive a free repair kit. Call Minoura at (800) 601-9592 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday PT or go to Minoura's web site at http://www.minoura.co.jp/voluntary_recall.htm

Stands with flywheels that have a plastic cover are not recalled.