Recall: Mountain Bikes Recalled by Dynacraft

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 26, 2000 Release # 00-187

Dynacraft Recall Hotline: (800) 551-0032 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Kim Dulic, (301) 504-7058

CPSC, Dynacraft Industries Announce Recall of Mountain Bikes Sold at Target Stores

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Dynacraft Industries Inc., of San Rafael, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 24,800 mountain bikes. Because some were not welded properly, the front suspension forks on these bicycles can break apart during use, resulting in serious injury to the rider. Dynacraft is aware of 23 reports of injury to riders when the forks on these bikes broke apart. Injuries included a concussion, fractures, cuts, bruises, back strain, and chipped and lost teeth.

The recall involves 26-inch Vertical XL2, and 24-inch and 26-inch Magna Electroshock mountain bikes. The Vertical XL2 mountain bikes have model number 8526-26, were manufactured in July 1999 and have chrome frames. The Magna Electroshock mountain bikes have model numbers 8504- 90, 8504-96, 8548-78 or 8548-94, were manufactured July 1999 through October 1999, and have frames that are chrome and blue, blue and yellow, purple, and black. A label affixed to the frame near the crank identifies the model, and the year, month and day of manufacture. Another label nearby reads: "Dynacraft Industries" and "Made in China."

Earlier this year, Dynacraft Industries announced the recall of the about 19,000 26-inch Vertical XL2 mountain bikes manufactured the week of October 11, 1999. This announcement expands the scope of that recall.

Target Stores nationwide sold the Vertical XL2 mountain bikes from August 1999 through February 2000 and the Magna Electroshock from August 1999 through August 2000. Both model bikes sold for between $100 and $140.

Consumers should stop riding these bikes immediately and take them to the Target Store where purchased for a choice of a free replacement fork or free replacement bicycle of equal value. For more information or to receive a free replacement fork by mail, call Dynacraft Industries Inc. at (800) 551-0032 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday. Bicycles that have a label that reads "Fork made Jan., 2000" or "Fork made July 2000" at the bottom of the fork are not subject to this recall.