Technique

3T recalls VENTUS aerobar for safety fix

Details

Parent Category: Technique

Category: 3T

Published on Wednesday, 24 March 2010 19:13

Written by Luca Salvatelli

New handgrip kit solves problem of grips slipping off handholds; all owners asked to replace their original grips; do-it-yourself or dealer fix, with no charge to owner.

3T has issued a worldwide voluntary recall of its VENTUS aerobar.

The recall is to fix a problem with the rubber handgrips. When the bar is used in humid, wet, or salty conditions, these grips can loosen on the handholds, with the potential to cause an accident for the rider.

The fix consists of a pair of redesigned, replacement grips and adhesive. 3T is sending these free of charge to qualifying owners. Owners can install the new grips themselves, or take their bike to a 3T dealer to fit them. Owners do not have to pay the dealer for carrying out this work.

All owners of any model VENTUS qualify for the safety fix. In the United States, this voluntary recall is being handled in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), while for the rest of the world 3T is managing the recall program.

Owners in the US can get their replacement kit by calling 3T’s distributor, BikeMine, toll-free on +1.877.861.9125 (Monday through Friday, 8 am–5 pm CT). BikeMine will ship the replacement grip kit to the owner, and can advise the owner where to find the most convenient authorized 3T dealer to install the grips.

Non-US owners get their replacement kit through the 3T website: www.thenew3t.com/ventusrecall. US

owners can also use this method if they prefer.

Announcing the recall, 3T CEO René Wiertz apologized to owners: “We realize this is inconvenient for you, and we’re truly sorry to put you to the trouble. But it’s better to be safe than sorry. “Two US owners reported having an accident when their grips slipped – fortunately they suffered only minor abrasions. 3T has always insisted safety is paramount, so we’ve put this worldwide recall program in place right away, so you can get going again on the bike with the least disruption to your cycling plans. “From the safety point of view, we would prefer the certainty of having 3T dealers fit the replacement grip kit. But we know that for some VENTUS owners, taking your bike to a dealer is inconvenient. “Many of you are competent mechanics perfectly capable of fitting a pair of replacement grips, and would prefer to do it yourself. That’s why we’ve decided to supply the replacement grip kit direct to owners. You can choose to fit it yourself or take it to the bike shop. Either way, you pay nothing.”

Press release