VisionTech USA Integrated Aero Bar Recall...Unplugged

It's been one day since VisionTech USA came out publicly and recalled their four models of integrated aerobars, specifically the SuperMax, TriMax, TriMax Plus, and the Pro Integrated Bicycle Aero Bars. The hazard being "The centerpiece of these bicycle aero bars can crack or break, causing the bicycle rider to lose control and crash." The "centerpiece" being the stem. The last time I checked, nothing ever good comes out of a stem failure such as this.Why am I so interested in this recall? It's because it was my client who experienced the failure last fall and initiated the recall. Fortunately, he was able to walk away from it (he can tell you all about what it's like sliding along the pavement at 28+mph a second or so after cruising along tucked in an aero position...). My part of the process was to compile report that would include my professional opinion as to the nature and cause of the failure as well as photos. These photos clearly show, even to the untrained eye, that there were inconsistent stem wall thicknesses as well as voids in the casting that contained silca sand, that is used in the casting process. Neither of these deficiencies should ever be present in a cast aluminum component so critical in nature as a stem. It's clearly not only a bad cast but also a very questionable design.... This photo shows the failure from the riders prospective...

Here's a closer view...

Here a photo from the front looking towards the steer tube clamp...

And finally, a magnified view of the impurities found in the casting of the stem wall (the white granular material is the silca sand and the larger "pebbles" is wax...)

Needless to say, a picture is worth a thousand words... These photos tell the truth about what is the force behind the recall. Hopefully they do the right thing and get all of these off of the market and out from under the riders before someone gets more than just "minor scrapes and abrasions. " One final note, they stated in the press release that, " VisionTech has received two reports of the centerpiece of these aero bars breaking, resulting in minor scrapes and abrasions. " I find it hard to believe that they would conduct a national recall of a product that they received only two reports of failure. Something smells fishy... With all of this being said, it's needless to say that if you currently own a pair of these integrated bars, I highly recommend that you cease using them immediately. Spread the word.

Comments

[Arthur Doyle]

I have just suffered a stem break on my Vision tech aerobars. These bars were NOT included in the recall! They are the FSA visiontech bars with siver and red writing.

I have yet to hear from FSA about this

[Arthur Doyle]

I have just suffered a stem break on my Vision tech aerobars. These bars were NOT included in the recall! They are the FSA visiontech bars with siver and red writing.

I have yet to hear from FSA about this

[RogueMechanic]

Hello Arthur,
Sorry to hear about this. I hope that the result of the failure wasn't too painful. Can you send me a photo of the stem/bar? I'm really interested in seeing what happened. As far as FSA goes...be persistant. Thanks for writing. -John

[Tech Dept]

Inquiring about the last comment Posted by Mr. Doyle. It is good to note that Vision Tech USA was purchased by FSA and that FSA bars are not subject to the recall. If you have a bar subject to recall, please call the (866) 204-5798#, (pin #0118 at voice prompt). We at FSA have still not received an FSA-made integrated handlebar with this type of failure. If Mr. Doyle or anyone else has had this occur with an FSA made bar, please contact us immediately. We definitely would like to inspect it. We cannot determine the cause of the failure without the subject to send to the lab for analysis. If you get voicemail please state your name and phone number clearly. It is a shame how many calls we can't return because people leave their phone number so fast it can't be understood. The Tech Department try's to return phone messages within 24 hours. If you don't get a return call within 24 hours, call again toll free number 877-743-3372 extension 111 for tech department. Thank you

[RogueMechanic]

It's good to see that this blog is making some waves and getting the attention of those manufactures that have have at one time or another dropped the ball. Props to "Tech Dept" for the last post on the FSA/Visiontech bar failure issue. I can just hope that this issue gets resolved.