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Brompton Voluntary Recall for Bottom Bracket

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Brompton Voluntary Recall for Bottom Bracket

Old 09-27-17, 05:26 AM
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Brompton Voluntary Recall for Bottom Bracket

I received an email notice and checked the web site to see if it was legit. Plugged in my serial number and I'm not affected.

Link - Brompton Voluntary Recall

VOLUNTARY RECALL NOTICE *** Bottom Bracket cartridge BB66 (April 2014 – May 2017)

Through our warranty and quality assurance process we have become aware of an issue affecting a component manufactured between April 2014 – May 2017. The axle of the 3rd party supplied *** Bottom Bracket has had higher than expected reported incidence of failure. Although this still meets international safety standards this does not meet the standards which Brompton sets for its components. We have therefore initiated a programme to recall all affected bikes and replace the bottom bracket cartridge with a new and tested part, free of charge to all of our affected customers. It is possible to identify if your bike is affected by referring to the serial number. The serial number can be found on a curved plate or silver sticker applied to the frame, as shown in the image below:

The bikes affected have serial numbers from 1403284144 to 1705150001 and can be any model, e.g. M, P, S or H type, or any other configuration. In order to receive the replacement, please contact your local Brompton dealer who will fit a free replacement Bottom Bracket cartridge www.brompton.com/find-a-store. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused by this replacement. We want our customers to be confident that in owning a Brompton bike, they are using the very best materials engineered to the very highest standards. For more information contact the Brompton Customer Service team: Support@Brompton.co.uk
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Old 09-27-17, 07:32 AM
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Holy cow!! Thats like three years of bikes.

In cases like this, who picks up the tab?
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Old 09-27-17, 09:43 AM
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Interesting, I bought two 2017 Brompton this year two weeks apart. Only one of them is affected by the BB recall.

Guess I can get it replaced when I come in for the free 3month/100mile tuneup check
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Old 09-27-17, 10:20 AM
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Just a run of F.A.G, brand (Its initials for longer words) , they have had several vendors over the years , for that component..
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Old 09-27-17, 11:02 AM
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Quickly checked mine that I bought in August and it's towards the top end of the range but is in the range. Bit of a PITA as it just went into the dealer last weekend for the 100 mile service now needs to go back in again, argh. But I'd rather this than a failure of the part.
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Old 09-27-17, 11:43 AM
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Originally Posted by dahoneezz
In cases like this, who picks up the tab?
According to the above, Brompton sez the part meets international safety standards but not their own internal standards. One might guess this recall is on Brompton's nickel.
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Old 09-27-17, 11:53 AM
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They have used a trouble free Cartridge sealed bearing unit for many years, end pieces holding the bearing assembly in the frame

have been non rusting/non corroding Nylon-plastic for some time..

Awaiting the facts behind this , but expect only speculation..
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Old 09-27-17, 02:22 PM
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Looks like it's a problem affecting about 1/5000 bikes and it develops over time with lots of miles. I'd say there's probably not too much rush to get into the dealer if your Brompton is newer.
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Old 09-27-17, 03:35 PM
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Is the 3 month/100 mile tuneup a Brompton policy?

[QUOTE=Hisamatsu;19890545
Guess I can get it replaced when I come in for the free 3month/100mile tuneup check[/QUOTE]
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Old 09-27-17, 03:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Schwinnsta
Is the 3 month/100 mile tuneup a Brompton policy?
https://brompton.zendesk.com/hc/en-u...-mile-check-up
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Old 09-27-17, 06:36 PM
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Thanks, I was not told that.

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Old 09-27-17, 10:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Schwinnsta
Thanks, I was not told that.
When I registered my Bromptons online via their website it mentioned
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Old 09-28-17, 01:51 AM
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Read a thread on another forum about one incident of the bottom bracket failing which then ended with the final comment announcing the recall. I think Brompton's response to these failures has been brilliant. I assume the Brompton isn't the only bike using these bottom brackets though and likely more common in mainland Europe especially Germany and wonder if other brands will be effected and recall their models. As a heavy rider with very powerful legs I've yet to have a bottom bracket fail on me like that although have replaced one or two worn sealed bottom brackets in my time, I tend to replace with Shimano. Never ever seen a *** as an option to buy.

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/sh...k-bolt.217362/

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Old 09-28-17, 02:08 AM
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Originally Posted by Bonzo Banana
Read a thread on another forum about one incident of the bottom bracket failing which then ended with the final comment announcing the recall. I think Brompton's response to these failures has been brilliant. I assume the Brompton isn't the only bike using these bottom brackets though and likely more common in mainland Europe especially Germany and wonder if other brands will be effected and recall their models. As a heavy rider with very powerful legs I've yet to have a bottom bracket fail on me like that although have replaced one or two worn sealed bottom brackets in my time, I tend to replace with Shimano. Never ever seen a *** as an option to buy.

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/sh...k-bolt.217362/

Ouch!!!!

They're claiming that it isn't a safety issue. But, I was thinking more like a toasted bearing which would be a hassle to deal with, but not necessarily causing a risk of crash.

A sheared spindle could, in fact, cause a wreck, or perhaps trap a rider in the middle of an intersection.

As far as who pays, it likely is only costing Brompton maybe $20 plus labor for the recall. Probably well below their profit margin on the bikes. But, they'll probably be hitting the manufacturer for at least a portion of the expenses.

Heck, it wouldn't be surprising if Shimano kicked in some cash (discounts). It never hurts to make their competitors look bad.

Last edited by CliffordK; 09-28-17 at 02:44 AM.
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Old 09-28-17, 02:30 AM
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Originally Posted by CliffordK
Ouch!!!!

They're claiming that it isn't a safety issue. But, I was thinking more like a toasted bearing which would be a hassle to deal with, but not necessarily causing a risk of crash.

A sheared spindle could, in fact, cause a wreck, or perhaps trap a rider in the middle of an intersection.

As far as who pays, it likely is only costing Brompton maybe $20 plus labor for the recall. Probably well below their profit margin on the bikes. But, they'll probably be hitting the manufacturer for at least a portion of the expenses.
Definitely a huge safety issue for those 1 in 5000 riders whose bottom bracket fails. It's not an acceptable failure for me but there isn't much on a bike that doesn't cause a safety risk when the part just breaks apart. Going down a hill at 35mph with your frame falling apart under you with articulated lorries all around isn't good either but there has been many frame recalls of various brands.
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Old 09-28-17, 03:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Bonzo Banana
Read a thread on another forum about one incident of the bottom bracket failing which then ended with the final comment announcing the recall. I think Brompton's response to these failures has been brilliant. I assume the Brompton isn't the only bike using these bottom brackets though and likely more common in mainland Europe especially Germany and wonder if other brands will be effected and recall their models. As a heavy rider with very powerful legs I've yet to have a bottom bracket fail on me like that although have replaced one or two worn sealed bottom brackets in my time, I tend to replace with Shimano. Never ever seen a *** as an option to buy.

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/sh...k-bolt.217362/



Ouch, the poor guy had to spend 2 days in the hospital after it broke off.

Almost like the horror thoughts Chinese carbon bikes might fail while riding.

Last edited by Hisamatsu; 09-28-17 at 03:57 AM.
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Old 09-28-17, 04:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Hisamatsu
Ouch, the poor guy had to spend 2 days in the hospital after it broke off.
This exact thing happened to my first folder, a Strida 2, many years ago. Luckily, it was on the first pedal stroke as I was starting up from a stop, so other than a momentary loss of balance and looking like a fool in front of a couple motorists I was unhurt.
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Old 09-28-17, 09:16 AM
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Steel, Heat treatment strayed into the brittle - hardened range... lacked sufficient ductility...
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Old 09-28-17, 10:23 AM
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Here is the BBC (UK) article on the recall.

Brompton recalls folding bikes over faulty bracket axle - BBC News

Seems like a fatigue issue - something I am rather an expert at! Fatigue Expert Services
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Old 09-28-17, 10:47 AM
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Folding bicycle company Brompton Bikes has recalled nearly 150,000 of its machines over concerns about faulty axles.
The London-based company said 144,000 bikes made between April 2014 and May 2017 had been recalled.
<--- The BBC quote


I though they were phasing out the F.A.G. bottom bracket and were switching to the Stronglight (in 2015)? So the number of bikes would be less. Maybe 100,000 less. Oh boy!

Last edited by dahoneezz; 09-28-17 at 10:49 AM. Reason: Censored for "F A G"
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Old 09-28-17, 03:31 PM
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life comes at you fast..

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Old 09-29-17, 01:52 PM
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Been contacted about mine and yep it needs doing. An unexpected downside to buying one off the shelf in early August rather than buying a custom factory build. Anyway, no need to rush to do it apparently and will be free if done within 2 years but I'm going to try to get mine booked in fairly soon.
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Old 09-29-17, 02:11 PM
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Originally Posted by residuenyc
VOLUNTARY RECALL NOTICE *** Bottom Bracket cartridge BB66 (April 2014 – May 2017)
The original bottom bracket from F.a.g. is kind of cheap anyway.

Get a Shimano BB-UN55 (118x68mm).
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Old 09-29-17, 09:04 PM
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Isn't there an issue with the gauge of the square taper? ISO vs JIS? You have to get the right one.
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Old 10-01-17, 09:38 AM
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Originally Posted by Winfried
The original bottom bracket from F.a.g. is kind of cheap anyway.

Get a Shimano BB-UN55 (118x68mm).
Agreed, the F.A.G. product is both low-cost and evidently low-quality. I would also prefer Shimano, from my experience, but correct sizing is an issue. The clearance on the M6R I have needing the replacement is barely 2mm from the side of the chain to the rear frame hinge, making the 118mm a little too close, and the clearance at the rear dropout tab measures even less to the chain. Shimano offers 118mm and 122.5mm, so both are really not quite right for this application, generally-suitable as Shimano has otherwise been. That said, I got hold of a 122.5 Shimano and . . . it works fine.

Last edited by CHenry; 10-06-17 at 07:17 PM. Reason: New information
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