It’s a scenario that can give you nightmares; You’re riding down the road on your bike when the front wheel suddenly locks up, dislodges or comes completely off. You go down hard. The scenario could actually play out if your bike is one of the 1.55 million included in a recent industry-wide quick release recall .
Quick Release Recall – Time Table
In April of 2015, Trek discovered a defect in the quick release which could cause the front wheel to separate from the frame of the bike. According to the the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the quick release recall was officially announced on September 29, 2015. The Bicycle Product Suppliers Association, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Health Canada and Profeco, the Mexican consumer protection federal agency, have also issued the voluntary quick release recall.
Industry Wide
Quick release devices are not manufactured by bike companies, but instead are purchased by bike builders and are used by a broad range of bicycle manufacturers, so the recall quickly spread across the industry. In addition to the roughly 1.5 million bikes recalled in the U.S., almost 245,000 of the bikes were sold in Canada, and another 9,000 in Mexico.
Check Your Bike
Seventeen bike manufacturer’s have issued the quick release recall for one or more of their bikes. Cyclists can go to QuickReleaseRecall.com or contact their manufacturer to see if their bike is affected.
Disc Brake Bikes
The quick release recall affects disc-brake bikes only. Bicycles that do not have disc brakes are not included in the recall. Specific models of bikes involved were not named in the recall but bicycles dating back as far as 1998 for some brands are included. The recall is not price specific ranging from bikes that sold for between $200 to $10,000.
The Pencil Test
If you’re not sure, or just want to make sure your bike is safe without doing any extensive research, the Bicycle Product Suppliers Association said owners can check the release by applying the No. 2 pencil test.
Test Your Quick-Release
The test involves opening the lever and loosening the front-wheel quick-release. Push the lever toward the brake disc rotor and measure the distance between the lever and the rotor.
Use a Pencil
Slip a No. 2 pencil between the cam lever and the rotor. If the pencil cannot fit smoothly between the lever and disc rotor, your bike could be a candidate for recall. Owners are encouraged to take their bikes to a bike shop for a replacement quick release.
Don’t Ride
If your quick-release fails the pencil test, it’s recommended that you stop using the bicycle and immediately contact the manufacturer or dealer for free installation of a new quick release on the front wheel.
Open or Closed
It might seem confusing at first to tell if your lever is open or closed. A few pointers on quick release levers might help to alleviate some of the confusion: There are two ways to tell if a lever is open. Some levers are clearly marked “open” or “closed”. Look for the markings on the lever.
Look For the Curve
Quick release levers are typically curved. When the curve or bump protrudes outward, the lever is in the closed position. If the curve or bump protrudes inward or is cupped-shaped, the lever is open. Closing and opening the lever requires flipping it 180-degrees — not rotating it.
Tightness Check
Even when the lever is closed, it’s a good idea to test it for tightness. Give the lever a good tug, if it resists, it’s tight. If it opens with a slight tug, it’s too lose and should be tightened.
How To Tighten
Another tell-tale sign that your quick release is loose comes from a clunking noise in your front end. If you suspect it, or hear a clunking noise stop the bike. Pick up the front end of the bike and bounce the tire lightly off the pavement. If you can reproduce the noise, the quick release may be loose. If you check the quick release and it’s tight but you still hear a clunking noise when you bounce the front tire, the noise might be coming from your headset, a separate issue.
Do It Yourself
Replacing a quick-release is basic and almost anyone can do it without taking it to a bike shop. However, doing so may invalidate the guarantee.
Quick Release Removal
The typical quick release consists of a skewer — a long rod — a lever, two springs and a nut. Remove the existing quick release by first opening it. Unscrew the nut from the opposite side. Remove the nut and one spring. Pull the skewer from the axle from the lever side.
Installing a Quick Release
Insert the skewer with the spring and lever into the hub from the disc side. Note that the spring on the skewer should have the skinny side facing the hub. When the end of the skewer emerges from the opposite side of the hub, slip the spring on — skinny side facing the hub — and then screw on the nut. Adjust for tightness before riding. One way to check; a good measure of tightness leaves a slight impression on your palm when tightening it.
Educational Information
The information provided should be considered educational in nature. If you have any hesitancy or questions about your quick-release (or anything else on your bike for that matter) don’t hesitate to consult with a professional or your local bike shop. They’re there to help you with anything, and are glad to do it.