Recall - Orange RX9 fork - Singletrack World Magazine

Orange are recalling some of the forks from their RX9 model – here are the details from Orange:

We have become aware that a number of Model Year 2014 Orange RX9 bikes were made with forks, which have a potential risk of breaking. Under certain circumstances the fork steerer tube can become disconnected from the rest of the fork.

While we have had no critical failures, we have had two instances of the steerer becoming detached from the rest of the fork. This occured after the owners reported the forks making a creaking sound and where the forks were removed for inspection.

A number of other forks suffering from a creaking sound have been reported to us. This has led us to issue this recall.

Everything RX9 owners need to know is on this web page:http://www.orangebikes.co.uk/rx9_fork_recall

The safety of our customers is very important to us. Therefore if you can help us pass on this message to customers that purchased an Orange RX9 and ask them not to ride their RX9 until the fork has been checked that it is safe to use, we would be very grateful (see below).

We understand the inconvenience this will cause RX9 owners. We apologise for this but would like to reassure our customers we are acting in the interest of safety.

We have posted notices on social media and are contacting registered owners with this information.

What is the problem?

The issue is related to the height of the fork cathead. This is the part of the fork that connects the fork steerer tube to the legs of the fork. Affected forks have an undersized cathead. This means the join between the cathead and the steerer is not strong enough.

How do I check my fork?

It is clear to see if the fork is part of the recall by a visual inspection.
On forks that need replacing the measurement of the cathead in the center is 30mm. The forks that are ok, and do not require replacement, have a cathead with a 35mm central measurement.

If you are at all unsure about whether or not your RX9 fork is safe to use please be in contact with your Orange Bikes retailer or Orange Bikes directly and we will be able to offer further advice.

What Orange Bikes will do for owners of a recalled RX9?

If you have checked your forks and have found them to be ok you can continue to use the bike and no action is required.

If you find you have an affected fork DO NOT RIDE YOUR BICYCLE UNTIL THE FORK HAS BEEN REPLACED.

Please contact Orange Bikes’ warranty department to request a replacement fork.
Please be prepared to supply the frame number of the affected bike when you request the replacement fork.

Orange Bikes will provide you with a replacement fork for each qualifying RX9 at no cost.

Due to this being an unforeseen problem, replacement forks have had to be manufactured especially. This has unfortunately meant that replacement forks will not be available until early November. we estimate a shipping date of 7th November 2014.

Contact

Jay Tolan
jay@orangebikes.co.uk

Mark Field
warranties@orangebikes.co.uk+44 (0)1422 311 113 ext. 102

Barney Marsh

Barney Marsh takes the word ‘career’ literally, veering wildly across the road of his life, as thoroughly in control as a goldfish on the dashboard of a motorhome. He’s been, with varying degrees of success, a scientist, teacher, shop assistant, binman and, for one memorable day, a hospital laundry worker. These days, he’s a dad, husband, guitarist, and writer, also with varying degrees of success. He sometimes takes photographs. Some of them are acceptable. Occasionally he rides bikes to cast the rest of his life into sharp relief. Or just to ride through puddles. Sometimes he writes about them. Bikes, not puddles. He is a writer of rongs, a stealer of souls and a polisher of turds. He isn’t nearly as clever or as funny as he thinks he is.