Specialized Bicycle Components is adding two bicycle brands to its voluntary recall of bikes with a brake that can snap off from the carbon fork.

The new recall involves 460 bikes from the 2012 Tricross Sport and Tricross Comp models. The bikes were sold at authorized Specialized retailers between June and September 2011 for $1,250 to $2,000.

Last September, Specialized ...   more »

Giant Bicycle is recalling 900 road bicycles because the carbon fork can crack, creating a dangerous situation for the riders.

The recall involves the Giant Defy Advanced and Avail Advanced model bicycles.

The company and US Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends owners stop riding the bikes immediately and contact an authorized Giant bike dealer for inspection and replacement ...   more »

Check your bicycle trailer before you take it out for a spin with your children. It might be part of a massive recall of Chariot Carriers by Thule Child Transport Systems.

The Canada-based company is recalling about 44,000 bicycle trailers and 70,000 trailer conversion kits in conjunction with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The company is urging trailer owners ...   more »

A tell-tale thumping sound from my bicycle's front wheel whenever I came to a stop this weekend was a clear warning that my front rim was about to come apart.

A similar thumping from my rear wheel last spring preceded the rim peeling apart. Years of road-grit grinding whenever I braked had taken its final toll.

As soon as that happened last year, visions of a new road bike danced in my head. I had the perfect justification -- my bicycle was falling apart.

After I calmed down and took stock, however, I soon realized that I didn't need a new bicycle; a new rear wheel at a fraction of the cost would be just fine. ...   more »

A style of carbon road-bike pedal imported by Performance is the subject of a recall.

The company and the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the recall for nearly 3,000 Forte Pro Carbon Road Bike Pedals.

Performance says it received three reports of the pedal body cracking or breaking, although no one was injured.

The pedal body is black and it made of carbon injected thermoplastic. The axle ...   more »

Opportunity knocks if you want to spend seven months of the year on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon renting bicycles to tourists.

The National Park Service is soliciting proposals for a 10-year contract for a business to provide bike rentals, bike tours, and bike shuttle services from April 1 through Oct. 30.

All you need is an estimated $245,000 to get started.

Bright Angel Bicycle Rentals has provided bike rentals ...   more »

Trek Bicycle is recalling 27,000 bicycles -- such as the 7.2 FX WSD -- in the US and Canada to fix a bolt that clamps the saddle to the seatpost. The bolt can break, causing the bicycle rider to fall.

Trek and consumer protection agencies in the US and Canada are urging consumers to stop riding the bicycles until they can contact a Trek dealer for a free replacement bolt.

The recall affects 16 brands of 2012 model Trek FX and District bikes ...   more »

Specialized Bicycle Components is recalling 14,200 bicycles that use a carbon fork that can come apart at the brake attachment.

The carbon forks manufactured by Advanced Group of Taiwan on 10 bike models ranging in price from $700 to $2,000. The company reported two incidents in which the brake mountings failed, left, although no injuries were reported.

The recall is ...   more »

A standard -- but usually unseen and unsung -- piece of athletic gear in many sports is the common jock strap.

Although I doubt that any cyclists wrapped up in lycra and chamois these days would consider using one, the jock strap was created to support bicycle riders.

While visiting a museum on Orcas Island this past week, I stumbled across this antique box for a Jockey Strap Suspensory. It was in a collection of early 20th Century items found in a home's private dispensary.

Notice "The Bike" logo and the guy riding his bicycle ....   more »

Some bicycle riders may have patched their last inner tube.

Michelin has put a bike inner tube, called ProTek Max, on the market that seals itself in the event of a puncture. It's aimed at those who ride on wider road or mountain bike tires.

I have not tested this product, nor have I seen, felt, sniffed or hefted it first hand. I might be willing to give it a try, although with all the "puncture-resistant" tires on the market, it may be a little redundant.

If you're planning to ride in Western states where goathead plants (aka puncture vine, caltrop, ground burr-nut, and Texas sandburr) make their home, however, some redundancy might not be a bad idea. Ditto if you ride through urban road debris ....   more »

Seattle cyclist Don Cox has developed a product that every wet weather Pacific Northwest cyclist can appreciate. Mud flaps.

That's not real sexy, but very useful in a region that averages 140 days of "measureable precipitation" every year.

I was introduced to Don Cox and his RainyDayBiking mud flaps on one of those days that exhibited an extreme amount of "measureable precipitation."

When I biked through the rain to the Seattle Bike Expo on Saturday, I was soaked from head to toe. As I dripped across the lobby and followed the crowds upstairs, his RainyDayBiking booth was the first I noticed. Given the name, I reckoned this guy might have something I'd be interested in. ....   more »

A San Francisco cyclist has developed a way to attach reflective fabric to a bicycle that turns the entire bike frame into a giant reflector for riding at night.

When I spoke with Brent Thomas (left) at the Seattle Bicycle Expo on Saturday, the former Internet marketer says he has a lot of ideas in his head. I'd say that Bike Wrappers is probably his best.

The easily attachable fabric makes your bicycle highly reflective at night from all directions (see the video below).

"I commute. I ride at night. I've been hit by cars. I got to thinking that there are lights and reflectors for the front and rear, but there's nothing that makes the bike visible from the side." ...   more »

A Canadian bicycle manufacturer has recalled more than 300 Rocky Mountain Bicycles after reports of front fork steering tube breakages.

The recall by Procycle Group Inc. and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission includes seven models of the Rocky Mountain Bicycle line. The company received four reports of fork failures leading to injuries, including a broken wrist.

The company urges consumers to stop riding the bicycles and contact Procycle with the bicycle serial number to determine if it is included in the recall notice. The company will arrange for a free fork replacement....   more »

The man credited with inspiring a generation of handmade bike builders in Oregon won the coveted "Best in Show" award at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show on Sunday.

DiNucci Cycles, owned by Mark DiNucci, led the list of 17 award winners presented at the conclusion of the 7th annual NAHBS located at the Austin Convention Center this past weekend.

The 2011 NAHBS was the largest yet, featuring 172 exhibitors who displayed their wares to some 7,300 visitors. Show director Don Walker announced next year's show will be in Sacramento from March 2-4, 2012 .....   more »