AMES, Iowa (BRAIN) — Switzerland's Open Cycles and its U.S. importer are working with the Consumer Product Safety Commission to recall about 270 gravel bikes and frames used with Campagnolo Ekar brakes.
Open Cycles issued a stop-use notice in Europe on March 24. According to an email sent to European dealers then, the problem occured because the Open frame housing entry point can damage the Ekar hydraulic brake housing.
"Due to the particular construction of the Campagnolo hydraulic disc brake hoses, they are more susceptible to damage at the entry point/port into the OPEN frames above (the so-called OPEN “Multistop”) versus hydraulic brake hoses from other brands. Once the brake hose is damaged (which can occur from over-turning the handlebar to the left) the hose may not work properly and either limit rear braking or eliminate rear braking entirely which could result in a loss of control," Open told the European retailers.
The CPSC said consumers with the affected bikes should stop using them and contact a dealer for free installation of a repair kit. The repair kit includes a hydraulic brake hose/line, and a new frame insert for the rear brake hose and rear shift cable.
The recall involves Open Cycle-branded bicycles, models U.P. Ekar, UPPER Ekar, WIDE Ekar and MIND Ekar; and all Open Cycle framesets using a Campagnolo hydraulic rear disc brake. They were sold in matte black, blue, gray, orange or a custom color. Only bicycles and framesets with Campagnolo hydraulic brakes and hoses are included in this recall. The “OPEN” logo is located on the top of the downtube and the model name on the top of the top tube, near the seat tube.
The bikes and frames were sold from November 2021 through February 2023 for between $5,000 and $8,300.
The bikes were imported by Cycle Force of Ames, Iowa, which is a subsidiary of Messingschlager USA LLC.
Consumers are being told to contact Cycle Force toll-free at 877-245-3243 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT, email at recall@opencycle.com or online at opencycle.com/recalls/campagnolohydraulicbrake.
More information: CPSC recall page | Open Cycle recall page.
