Shimano Disc Brake Calipers Recalled in US and Canada

Washington, DCConsumers in the US and Canada are being advised by Shimano, the US Consumer Product Safety Board and Health Canada to immediately stop using bicycles with recalled Shimano brakes. Shimano has recalled the defective calipers due to reports that the disc brakes can fail, posing a collision hazard.

The recall involves roughly 6,100 Shimano BR-CX75 aftermarket disc brake calipers and BR-R515 disc brake calipers installed on road and cyclocross bicycles sold by other manufacturers including BMC, Giant, Ibis, Raleigh, Shinola, Specialized and Volagi. "Shimano," "China" and the model number are embossed on the outside of the brake caliper. Both models have either black or silver finishes.

In the US, the defective Shimano brakes were sold at bicycle specialty stores and dealers nationally from February 2012 through May 2013 for about $75 for the BR-CX75 model disc brake calipers and the BR-R515 model disc brake calipers price was included in the cost of the bicycles where installed.

In Canada, approximately 704 units of the recalled brake calipers were sold at bicycle specialty stores and dealers from February 2012 to July 2013.

So far, no injuries have been reported. Failure of bicycle frames and component parts are not uncommon. Even when traveling at slow speeds the fracture of a frame or critical component can cause serious injury. Often at fault is a defect with composite forks, aluminum frames, bolts, and other bicycle design and manufacturing defects.

In 2009, a cyclist was awarded $722,800 in damages for injuries sustained in a defective product bike accident. The man alleged he was injured when the front fork on his bicycle broke. The plaintiff fell and sustained severe fractures in the accident.