walta1

I am looking at buying a used Specialized Sirrus Elite.

The photos looks like a 2011 models.

I am concerned about this recall.

https://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2011...o-Fall-Hazard/

Specialized says they can NOT identify the year of production from the serial number.
Specialized says they can NOT tell from the serial number if this bike is recalled.
Specialized says they can NOT tell from the serial number if this bike has been previously repaired under the recall.
Specialized says they can NOT distinguish a bad fork from a good one without disassembly

All I could get Specialized to say is “take the bike to a shop”

Can anyone here help me distinguish a bad fork from a good one?

At this point I am so mad at Specialized I may go buy a new Trek 7.4 FX.

Walta1

ps249

stay away from that year and model. If your that concerned, look into a different brand.

Dirt Road

Companies can have strange ideas about what constitutes proprietary information especially when they have agreed in a voluntary recall to repair or replace a component at an authorized dealer. No company likes being involved in a recall. I wouldn't take it personally about the peons not being helpful here. They probably have their hands full coordinating with the dealer network.

giantcfr1

Just don't worry about buying the bike. It's not as if it's the only bike available.
Years go my brother was concerned about a bike purchase (incredible deal) and the bike shop nearby was more than happy to give the bike a once over. The seller didn't care either. I don't see the frustration you have.

02Giant 

I think Specialized is feeding you a line of crap.

Delmarva

Since it was recalled in 2011 and we are in 2014 maybe it was fixed already. If not I think this is a small problem with an easy solution. If the bike is in good condition, reasonably priced and fits then just go ahead and buy the bike. Have a dealer inspect it per the recall and swap the fork as needed.

Little Darwin

Check with the local Specialized dealer to determine that if it has the old fork, that they would replace it under the recall. If so, and you like the bike otherwise, buy it and bring it to the dealer to check... Then when you get it back, you will know for sure.

I do however think that Specialized, at least in this case, is letting their team of lawyers have too much influence on company policy. They could surely get close to definitive about whether the bike has the offending fork using the serial number... the lawyers just don't want them to for some reason.

walta1

Update

The only answer was, have a dealer disassemble the bike read the numbers inside the head tube. Have the dealer call Specialized with the number they would compare to their unpublished list of good and bad parts.

This answer gives me no confidence in Specialized.

I fell from my bike a few years ago, I had an open fracture on a finger both arms were cast from above the elbow to 2 and 3 finger tips. I was totally useless for 1 week and pathetic for months. The uncertainly of a mechanic failure was too great for me to live with even at half the price of new.

Before I talked to Specialized it was all but certain I would buy there bike.

Specialized inability to clearly answer seemingly simple questions left me no choice but to look else were.

I did buy a new Jamis, Allergo Comp in stock from LBS.


Walta1