Why is Shimano recalling 680,000 bicycle cranksets? All you need to know

After receiving 4,519 complaints of cranksets separating, including, six reports of injuries like bone fractures, joint displacement, and lacerations, Japanese manufacturer Shimano has decided to recall bonded 11-Speed Hollowtech Road cranksets.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the recall includes about 680,000 cranksets that were sold in the U.S. from January 2012 to August 2023, costing between $270 and $1,500.

CPSC issues notice

The commission has said in a notice issued to the manufacturer that these cranksets can "separate and break" and cause a crash. Shimano manufactured these parts prior to July 2019 and sold them individually. The CPSC has urged the consumers to immediately stop using the cranksets and contact an authorized Shimano dealer for a free inspection.

Shimano assures replacement

Shimano has assured consumers that if crank components show signs of bonding separation or delamination, they will be replaced free. Shimano crankset models to be replaced include, ULTEGRA FC-6800, FC-R8000, and DURA-ACE FC-9000, FC-R9100, and FC-R9100-P.

The affected models must have one of the following two-letter production codes: KF, KG, KH, KI, KJ, KK, KL, LA, LB, LC, LD, LE, LF, LG, LH, LI, LJ, LK, LL, MA, MB, MC, MD, ME, MF, MG, MH, MI, MJ, MK, ML, NA, NB, NC, ND, NE, NF, NG, NH, NI, NJ, NK, NL, OA, OB, OC, OD, OE, OF, OG, OH, OI, OJ, OK, OL, PA, PB, PC, PD, PE, PF, PG, PH, PI, PJ, PK, PL, QA, QB, QC, QD, QE, QF, QG, QH, QI, QJ, QK, QL, RA, RB, RC, RD, RE, and RF.

Shimano chainsets are not affected

Shimano's 105 chainsets are not affected because they were manufactured by a cold-forged process rather than the bonded construction. Similarly, 10-speed or 12-speed components are not affected.

Will it affect the market?

Talking to 'Cyclingnews', a Shimano spokesperson admitted that the safety inspection and replacement program will affect the markets worldwide. He also said that the affected users outside North America should follow the advice and stop using the affected part.

FAQs:

Why has Shimano agreed to recall cranksets?
Japanese cycle manufacturer Shimano agreed to recall cranksets after it received complaints about cranksets separating. It also received reports of injuries like bone fractures, joint displacement, and lacerations.

How many cranksets will be recalled?
Shimano will recall about 680,000 cranksets that were sold in the U.S. from January 2012 to August 2023, costing between $270 and $1,500.