Ten Brompton e-bike users have reported objects becoming trapped between the mudguard and front tire, causing the wheel to lock up and crash.
"The mudguard is positioned too close to the front wheel which can cause the wheel to lock up leading to sudden deceleration of the bike if an object gets caught between the mudguard and front tire, posing crash and injury hazards to the rider," the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said.
The agency added that so far, two people have been hospitalized and nine people have been injured, including head and facial impact, bruising, and chipped teeth, broken bones, and shoulder dislocation.
What Are The Affected Brompton Models?
The CPSC noted that Brompton Electric M2L, H2L, M6L, and H6L owners who purchased their bikes between May 2019 and March 2022 should contact an authorized Brompton dealer to receive a free repair.
The Brompton recall affects approximately 2,230 bikes (110 additional units were sold in Canada), with prices ranging from $3,500 to $3,800.
Meanwhile, to increase clearance between the mudguard and the tire, the front mudguard stay and flap must be replaced.
Read also: Harley-Davidson's Electric Mountain Bikes: Does It Really Have No Front or Rear Suspension?
CPSC Has Recalled Brompton Bikes Before
According to a The Verge report, it is the second time CPSC has issued recalls for Brompton e-bikes. In April last year, a software update was required to correct a defect that caused unexpected acceleration on over 600 bikes sold by Brompton's US dealers between June 2020 and March 2021. Bicycles priced between $3,500 and $3,800 are impacted by the problem.
This Is Not the First E-Bike Brand That Was Recalled Due to Safety Concerns
As we have previously reported, Fiido, a maker of low-cost direct-to-consumer e-bikes, has paused sales and is taking into account recalling its Fiido X e-bike after discovering a defect that might cause the folding e-bike to snap in half.
The problem appears to be with the chosen material and Fiido X's innovative folding mechanism. The design is significantly more attractive than most folding e-bike frames, but it appears to have come at a price: strength. The folding design of the bike includes a magnesium alloy frame with a low-profile folding mechanism.
Several Fiido X e-bikes have shown signs of fatigue in the folding area, with several of them breaking in half at the joint.
While the company has chosen to cease sales and is considering recalling its Fiido X e- bike, it has also stated that Fiido X owners will be compensated based on yet-to-be-released information.
It is worth noting that according to Thomas Ricker of The Verge, in his review of the Fiido X, support will always be an issue with direct-to-consumer e-bikes. He's especially concerned about how the consumer would file a warranty claim against Fiido, which is situated in China, if something goes wrong with the device.
If you're being skeptical about buying an e-bike, you can consider reading the report below.
