Trek recalls bikes equipped with front disc brakes and quick release lever, citing accidents and crash danger

WASHINGTON -- Trek Bicycle Corp. announced an immediate recall Tuesday of its bikes with front disc brakes from model years 2000 through 2015, affecting about 900,000 bikes in the United States and 98,000 in Canada.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission said Trek reports three accidents, all involving injuries. "One incident resulted in quadriplegia.  One incident resulted in facial injuries.  One incident resulted in a fractured wrist," the commission said.

Trek said an open quick release lever on the bicycle’s front wheel hub can come into contact with the front disc brake assembly, causing the front wheel to come to a sudden stop or separate from the bicycle, posing a risk of injury to the rider.

"This recall involves all models of Trek bicycles from model years 2000 through 2015 equipped with front disc brakes and a black or silver quick release lever on the front wheel hub that opens far enough to contact the disc brake...

"Bicycles with front quick release levers that do not open a full 180 degrees from the closed position, are not included in this recall," the commission said.

Check out the diagrams on the CPSC website here.

Trek said in a news release that the quick release whose arm can open greater than 180 degrees, if left open or improperly adjusted, can become caught in a front disc brake.

"We want to make sure anybody who owns a Trek with a quick release and front disc brakes gets their bike to a Trek retailer for a free inspection," the Trek release said. "Any bike found with this kind of quick release and disc brake combination will have the quick release changed for free on the spot – it takes less than 5 minutes.

Trek said consumers should stop using the bicycles immediately and contact an authorized Trek retailer for free installation of a new quick release on the front wheel.

Trek said it will provide each owner who participates in the recall with a $20 coupon that is redeemable by December 31, 2015 toward any Bontrager merchandise.  (The coupon has no cash value.)

Contact Trek at (800) 373-4594 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or online at www.trekbikes.com.