CAA News  12/6/00
CPSC, Profile Design announce recall of mountain bike handlebar Stems
   WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC), Profile Design LLC, of Carson, Calif., is voluntarily
recalling about 8,000 mountain bike handlebar stems. 
   The stem connects the bicycle's handlebars to the fork. These stems can
break during use, causing the bicycle rider to crash and suffer serious
injuries. Profile Design has received reports of six riders crashing
when the stems on their bicycles broke, resulting in teeth injuries,
bruises and abrasions.
This recall only involves "Stiffy"TM threadless mountain bike stems.
Threadless stems clamp directly around the fork's steering tube.  These
stems were sold individually, and also on custom-built bicycles and in
bicycle parts kits distributed by:
Porter Frames
Slingshot Bicycle Co.
Cicili Fondriest
Javelin Cycle
Hillside Mountain Cycles
Security Bicycle Accessories
Mountain Cycle
Ellsworth Bicycles
G. Joannou Cycle Co.
Simo Cycle Corp.
Jamis Bicycles
Samchulu Bicycle Co.
Softride Bicycle Co.
  The recalled stems have "Profile" and "Stiffy" written on them. The rear
portion of the steer tube clamp is sharply angled (45 degrees) at the
top and the front handlebar clamp has two bolts. The recalled stems were
sold in black, red, blue, yellow and cream.
Independent bicycle dealers nationwide sold bicycles and parts kits with
these stems and individual stems from March 1997 through April 2000. The
stems sold for about $50.
Consumers should stop using bicycles with these stems immediately, and
either call Profile Design to get a free replacement stem, or return the
bicycle with the recalled stem to a Profile-Design retailer to have the
stem replaced free of charge.
   For more information, call Profile Design toll-free at (888) 800-5999
between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or go to the
firm's web site at www.profile-design.com. "Stiffy"TM stems with
"Profile Design" written on the side and that have three bolts on the
handlebar clamp are not included in the recall.
To see a picture of the recalled product(s) and/or to establish a link
from your web site to this press release on CPSC's web site, link to the
following address: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml01/01044.html.