Handlebar Stem Failures Result in the Recall of Folding Bicycles

Cinnaminson, NJ, December 5, 2012
 
Last month, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall of approximately 3,800 folding bicycles that were sold online and through dealers nationwide.  According to the CPSC release, the bike’s handlebar stem can break and cause the rider to lose control, posing a fall hazard to consumers.  The bicycles were sold from January 2007 through September of this year.
 
The CPSC release states, “The firm has received six reports of breaking handlebar stems, resulting in two reports of injuries including scrapes, bruises and a head laceration that required stitches.”  The bicycles were manufactured in the United States.
 
Product failures like this can result in injuries and be extremely costly to manufacturers and distributors.  When a part failure comes to light, it is important that the root cause of the failure be quickly investigated and understood. 
 
One company that has extensive experience in this field is EMSL Analytical, Inc.  Their scientists provide a wide range of material testing, characterization, and forensic laboratory services. “Challenges in manufacturing, quality assurance, and research and development can happen with almost any type of manufacturing,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL. “EMSL’s Materials Science Division helps clients develop solutions to prevent them from happening or to discover the root cause if a failure has already occurred. Our seasoned team has extensive expertise in materials testing and has experience helping product manufacturers, distributors, and retailers from across the country,” he continued.
 
EMSL’s laboratory is supported by Ph.D. scientists and a broad array of instrumentation that can apply a full spectrum of standard and customized analyses. Services include elemental and chemical, structural, particle, surface, contaminant, mechanical, failure, and bio-effectiveness analysis and testing. 
 
To learn more about materials testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675, or email info@EMSL.com .
 
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical

(1) 1-800-220-3675

jfrasca@emsl.com