Allen folder recall
 

Allen Sports recalls 150 folding bikes | Bicycle Retailer and Industry News

This affects the Ultra1 and UltraX models. Neither the CPSC notice or the allensportsusa notice specify where the frames are breaking.

I know there is a lot more to the engineering to a frame but on face value it almost looks like a design of frame meant for aluminium or steel as many carbon frames have wider sections to reinforce the frame and are a mould rather than tubes. I remember watching a video where a frame designer went on about how different a carbon frame design has to be compared to aluminium or steel. I don't know where the frame failed but would guess either chain stays, seat stays or as per normal for folding frames the hinge.

I wouldn't necessarily believe the German designed claim. Across Alibaba you see German designed on a lot of crappy low end bikes and other products from small companies. Don't get me wrong it could be a German designed frame but because of their excellent engineering reputation it is often used as a marketing tool by Asian companies knowing their Chinese or Taiwanese engineering reputation would be detrimental or at least not as positive for sales.

Noticed on this review many comments at the bottom were on the money with regard its long term strength.

Bicycle Times Review: Allen Sports Ultra X carbon folding bike

Looks like allen sports have discontinued their bikes and seems like they have only sold a low number anyway.

More recent carbon frame designs don't look anything like that bike and also if the recall effects only 150 makes me think that they could have been manufactured and imported in 2014/2015 and sold through over the next 2-3 years from the original shipment. In that time much has improved in Carbon frames. The danger of having a premium product with cutting edge technology and a very low turnover. They were forced to reduce the price it seems over the years as carbon became cheaper, probably below cost but then if they are getting them back anyway it's probably better to have to refund less.

When you see companies that offer lifetime/25 year warranties on steel and aluminium frames and forks but as little as 1 year for carbon forks and the terms and conditions for both say no warranty if the bike is has been damaged by a crash, overloaded or used off road etc it never inspires confidence in carbon. So carbon forks snap after 18 months use with normal riding and that's ok? It's clear manufacturer's aren't sure how long is safe commercially to offer warranty on carbon and are being conservative which is an indicator to me to perhaps wait until carbon is better understood.

Allen Sports Folding Recall
 

Is there anyone still holding on their Allen Sports Ultra folding bikes?