(Sorry, if a repost, did a search but didn't find it.)

https://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml97/97149.html
July 1, 1997 (301) 504-7052
Release # 97-149
Shimano Announce Recall of Bicycle Components

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Shimano American Corp. of Irvine, Calif., is voluntarily recalling more than 1 million cranks installed on bicycles in North America. The crank is used to connect the pedal to the frame of the bike. If the crank breaks, the rider's leg can be injured by contact with the broken crank or the rider can lose control of the bike, fall and be injured.

Shimano has received more than 630 reports of cranks breaking in North America resulting in 22 injuries, including cuts and fractures.

The cranks have been installed on more than 200 models of bicycles manufactured since 1994 and sold under at least 49 brand names. Most bicycle manufacturers have sold bicycles that are involved in this recall. The cranks also may have been installed as an upgrade as part of the Altus, Acera and Alivio groups of components. The cranks are numbered FC-CT90, FC-M290 and FC-MC12. These numbers are located on the back or inner side of the right crank arm.

Consumers should check their bicycles' crank assemblies. If they are involved in this recall, consumers should stop using their bicycles immediately and call Shimano at 800-353-4719 to arrange for the free replacement and installation of a new crank assembly at a nearby authorized repair shop. Consumers can also arrange for the free replacement with their bicycle dealers.

List of 49 bicycle brands that may have installed Shimano cranks:
Alpinestar Iron Horse Norco Specialized
Balance Jamis Novara Schwinn
Bianchi Kona Oryx Scott
Caloi L.L. Bean Parkpre Signature
Cannondale Marin Pavan Softride
Cycle Pro Maxam Performance Terry Precision
Diamondback Mikado Peugeot Timberline
Dirt Research Mongoose Proflex Trek
Fisher Mtn. Tek Raleigh Univega
Fuji Motiv Research Dynamics Victoria Precision
GT Murray Roadmaster
Giant Nashbar Ross
Huffy Nishiki Royce Union

Other brands also may have installed Shimano cranks. Consumers should check their bicycles.

Though ten years on, Shimano is still honoring this recall--they really, really want those cranks off the road. It may be fear of liability, but to this bike business lifer it's an example of a company that really does give several dozen damns about its customers.

I'll second this. Shimano Canada is located in my hometown of Peterborough, ON, and by all accounts, you can just take your broken/defective parts right to them for rectification on the spot. Pretty cool, if you ask me.

what are they replacing the broken cranks with?

"Consumers should check their bicycles' crank assemblies. If they are involved in this recall, consumers should stop using their bicycles immediately and call Shimano at 800-353-4719 to arrange for the free replacement and installation of a new crank assembly at a nearby authorized repair shop. Consumers can also arrange for the free replacement with their bicycle dealers."

A new crank assembly maybe?

shimano's core mission statement embraces safety in its componetry.... I forget how it is phrased. but they value safety as part of their mission statement.

Part of the reason why shimano pedals, including DA pedals, are made of metal.

Because of the design changes and downgrading of the tech...

You get a newer cheaper and sucky looking crank, bottom bracket, and in some cases a front derailleur and chain. Kid you not - because they know that everything needs to match and be clean.

Have dealt with two of these in just the last 6 months.

Shimano has no further liability so long as they replace 'em when notified - and record the transaction. They've already paid a fine to the CPSC in lieu of liability so long as they honor the conditions agreed too. "Inc." has it's privileges.

What exactly are you attempting to say?

Really? I had no idea, I was kinda hoping for a new derailleur...j/k. lol.

What I was looking for was were they going to replace it with something comparable, or was i going to get a low grade replacement. I know that I have Altus right now, but what should I expect, Deore maybe? Or, should I not get my hopes up, and just go and buy a set myself.

Have you asked your LBS about this yet?

And, for that matter, is this recall still honored by Shimano after 11 years?

-Kurt

I urge anyone with one of the recalled cranks to get the thing replaced. Ten years ago, I snapped a Sugino crank at the pedal eye during an out-of-saddle climb, and I did not find the incident particularly entertaining.

Did you read my post? Answered it already...

Whoops

Thanks!

-Kurt

Question - if the chain is worn to the point where replacement of the crankset would require replacement of the chain, wouldn't it justify replacement of the cassette just the same? Can't imagine a new chain not skipping on a well-worn cassette or freewheel.

Take care,

-Kurt

In most cases in the last year or so - handled two myself...saw shop handle a couple more...Shimano varied in what it sent out. Always a crankset and bottom bracket. Sometimes a front derailleur, sometimes a chain, sometimes a cassette even. - saw one instance with everything. Kinda weird...

...but no complaints from the customers...saw that they were coming out ahead despite el cheapo crankset and just went with the flow. If you think about it - it's almost a bike overhaul/rebuild...

One customer actually suffered a injury - I encouraged him to send all his accident and medical reports to Shimano as Shimano is supposed to record incidences...as well as take in and replace cranksets.

What really amazes me is how more than ten years later - they still show up. THIS WAS A HIGHLY PUBLICIZED RECALL! Each case in the last year - the customer was not even aware of the recall. One was the original owner of the bike...never knew...

So keep an eye out folks...

=8-)

I may have a bike affected by the recall; I need to check the numbers on the cranks. I was thinking of upgrading (i.e. getting a crankset with larger chainrings) anyway; I wonder if I could just get credit for the cranks toward a new (different) set? I'm not sure how old the bike is; I bought it in August but it still had the original price tags on it. I assumed it was late Nishiki production (2000-2001) but it could be earlier.

So you resurrected a 6 month old thread about an 11 year old warrenty on the off chance that your 8 year old bike may have the offending cranks?

Before being snarky, read posts #13 and #7.

-Kurt

You betcha. And apparently my bike is older than I thought because it has FC-CT90 cranks. I emailed my bike shop and will get with them tomorrow about replacing my cranks. And I'm glad I resurrected it; if I have bad cranks, there may still be others out there.

EDIT: I finally found a guide for decoding serial numbers for Raleigh USA bicycles. Later Nishikis were built in the same plant in Kent Washington, so the numbering scheme is probably the same. Based on that, my bike was actually produced on December 16, 1994 which puts it right in the range of the problem cranks.

A while back I picked up a 95 Trek 800 that had one of the recalled cranks. Shimano replaced the crank and, unlike other bike repairs, they paid for the installation cause the shop I went to did not charge me for the installation. They use a low end "Altus" crank. However it has alloy cranks, plain black chain wheels and a new BB. Considering how bad they want those old cranks replaced, I decided to go for it. Much cheaper than broken leg and less painful. As I recall, the shop had to return the old cranks to Shimano. They want to be sure they're destroyed. I did not get a new chain with the replacement. I had to pay for that.

Good to know, Rocco. Thanks.

....still waiting for my LBS to get their Shimano certification. It's a good thing I have several bikes to ride, because the one with the recalled cranks has been down for a month and a half now. I hope Shimano certifies them soon, though!

Wow! Just checked my bikes and one of my Treks has the FC-MC12's...yikes!

I did the replacement a month or two ago on our Trek 850s -- got scarred and wish I had not. The cranks they provide as replacements are absolute worthless crap.

Huge Q Factor (visualize riding bareback on a Clydesdale), 170 arm length only, junk BB (creaky immediately).

The MC12's may have had some failures, but after riding them since 1995, I doubt mine were any more likely to fail than any other old crank.

I've since replaced with some fc443's from eBay that are a bit more palitable.

Shimano corporate corksoakers.