Dahon and REI recall 11,500 folding bicycles

The possibility of hinges cracking on folding bike handleposts has prompted Dahon and REI to recall 11,500 folding bicycles in conjunction with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The agency said there had been 25 reports of the handlepost hinge on these bicycles cracking, including one minor injury involving scrapes and bruises.

The 2008 model year folding bicycles were distributed by Dahon and REI between March 2008 and April 2009 and sold by Dahon dealers and REI stores for between $430 to $1,300.

The models names are:

Dahon: Ciao P8, Curve D3, Curve SL, Glide P8, Jetstream P8, Mu P8, Mu P24, MU SL, Mu XL Sport, Vitesse D7 HG, Speed D7, Speed P8, Speed TR, Speed Pro TT, Mariner D7.

REI: Novara Buzz FlyBy and FlyBy Shuttle.

Hinges with an “R” embossed on the face of the upper handlepost hinge and/or a “Radius Handlepost” sticker on the handlepost are not included in the recall. (See picture.)

Dahon and REI recommends that consumers stop riding these bicycles immediately and contact Dahon dealers or REI stores for free inspections and repairs.

The folding bikes were manufactured in China and Taiwan.

For more details, see the recall press release at CPSC.