Bicycle handlebars recalled for breaking hazard

Consumer Reports News: January 25, 2012 02:08 PM

More than 2,000 bicycle handlebars made by Nitto of Japan and imported to North America by various companies are being recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada. The two safety regulatory agencies say the aluminum parts can break during use and may cause riders to lose control of their bikes and fall.

According to the CPSC, there have been two reports of breaking Nitto handlebars, one of which caused the rider to fall and cut their leg.

The Nitto handlebars were imported to North America by three companies—Euro Asia Imports, of La Crescenta, Calif., The Merry Sales Co., of South San Francisco, Calif. and Bicycle Technologies Intl., of Santa Fe, N.M.—and sold at bicycle specialty stores and dealers nationwide from January 2008 through July 2011 for between $60 and $80.

The recall involves Nitto aluminum bicycle handlebars with model number B259AA. They were sold in the following colors: red, blue, black, gold, green, pink and silver. "NITTO" and "B259" are printed at the end of the handlebars.

Consumers are warned to immediately stop using the recalled handlebars and contact Euro Asia Imports to receive free replacement handlebars.

For additional information, owners should call Euro Asia Imports toll-free (888-662-1814) or visit its website: www.EuroAsiaImports.com.

Nitto B259AA Voluntary Recall [Euro Asia Imports]
Bicycle Handlebars Recalled by Euro Asia Imports; Handlebars Can Break Resulting in Loss of Control and Fall Hazard [CPSC]
Recall: Nitto Bicycle Handlebar [Health Canada]

—Paul Eng