French bicycle manufacturer Lapierre has issued a recall for its Aircode DRS and Xelius SL3 models due to safety concerns involving the carbon forks. The company is advising owners of affected bikes to immediately cease use and contact an authorized Lapierre dealer.
The recall affects only the Aircode DRS and Xelius SL3 models equipped with an aluminium stem and an aluminium shim (part no. 3). Xelius SL3 models with a Lapierre carbon cockpit are not included in the recall. According to Lapierre’s website, the issue with the carbon fork could potentially lead to cracking, posing a risk of injury to riders.
The company’s statement emphasizes that customer safety is their top priority. “Research has shown that certain models may have issues with their carbon forks,” the announcement reads. “If the fork is damaged, this could lead to a crack, which could result in an accident.”
Lapierre has instructed affected customers to immediately stop using their bikes and contact an authorized dealer for a check. If their bike is part of the recall, the dealer will replace the fork. Lapierre has expressed regret over the inconvenience caused by the recall.
This recall follows earlier safety concerns raised by the now-defunct British UCI Continental team, Saint Piran. In 2022, the team removed all of its riders from Lapierre bikes due to safety issues, citing multiple fork failures, frame replacements, and other potential hazards. At the time, Lapierre dismissed the claims as “rumours.”
However, team representatives, who formally notified Lapierre and its UK distributor Raleigh about the concerns, reported 23 separate safety incidents, including seven fork failures. The team and Lapierre later became involved in a legal dispute regarding the matter, which is believed to still be ongoing, with an estimated £100,000 in contention.
Lapierre’s return to the WorldTour was also announced late last year when it became the official bike partner of the Picnic Post NL team.
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