Minoura Company Ltd., of Japan, and Minoura North America, of Fremont, Calif., are voluntarily recalling about 29,500 bicycle indoor training stands. These stands allow regular bicycles to be used as stationary bicycles. The flywheels, which are red or blue, can fracture in use. Metal pieces of broken flywheels can hit riders or bystanders', causing cuts and bruises. Minoura has received three reports of injuries from pieces of broken flywheels, resulting in lacerations on riders' legs.
This recall only involves Minoura, Schwinn, Performance
or Univega brand stands with painted red or blue exposed flywheels. The
brand names are written on the stand and the flywheels are about 5 inches
in diameter. The company will help consumers determine if their stand is
part of this recall. Bicycle stores and catalogs, including Performance,
sold the stands nationwide from January 1989 through December 1994 for
between $120 and $180.
Consumers should stop using these stands immediately, and call Minoura to receive a free repair kit. Call Minoura at (800) 601-9592 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday PT or go to Minoura's web site at http://www.minoura.co.jp Minoura Contact: Jeff Zell