July
17, 2001
Supergo
Corp., of Santa Monica, Calif., is voluntarily recalling 125 "PAZZAZ"
ATB-98 carbon fiber-wrapped aluminum riser mountain bicycle handlebars and 199
pairs of "PAZZAZ" carbon fiber mountain bicycle "bar ends."
The handlebars can crack and break, causing the rider to lose control of the
bicycle, fall and suffer serious injuries. The carbon fiber wrap on the
handlebar can hide cracking of the aluminum handlebar underneath the carbon.
The carbon fiber bar ends can become detached from the aluminum clamp during
riding causing the rider to lose control and crash. Supergo has received two
reports of handlebars breaking and one report of a handlebar cracking. The firm
has received two reports of bar ends detaching. There are no reports of
injuries.
The
bar ends were sold separately and can be bolted on to the end of most mountain
bicycle handlebars to assist in climbing. The handlebars are about 23.5-inches
long (unless cut by the user) with a .75-inch rise from the clamp to the grips.
"PAZZAZ" is written in white letters under each handle grip area.
About 6.75 inches from the right end of the handlebar a logo reads "PZ
& Company," and about 6.75 inches from the left end of the handlebar a
logo reads "PAZZAZ FIBER." The bar ends have a black carbon fiber
grip area about 3-inches long with a glossy finish. The carbon fiber section
has a logo, which reads "PAZZAZ FIBER" in white letters, and the
clamp is polished aluminum. Supergo stores in California and Chandler, Arizona
sold the handlebars from June 2000 through May 2001 for about $39. Supergo
stores sold the bar ends in California and Chandler, Arizona from July 2000
through May 2001 for about $25. Supergo also sold the bar ends nationwide
through mail order.
Consumers should stop using bicycles with these recalled handlebars and bar
ends immediately. The firm is offering a refund or a free replacement aluminum
handlebar, which will be installed at Supergo stores. For bar ends, Supergo is
offering a refund. For more information, call Supergo at (800) 326-2453 between
8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or go to Supergo's web site at http://www.supergo.com/.