Spontaneous rim failure causes DT Swiss to issue a halt to rides following user complaints
In a recent announcement, Swiss bicycle component manufacturer DT Swiss has issued a stop-use notice and recall for specific ERC, CRC, and HEC series carbon fiber wheelsets. The recall is in response to reports of spontaneous carbon rim delamination at the rim flange, which poses a significant risk of accidents leading to property damage, serious injury, or death.
The affected wheelsets include those from the DT Swiss ERC (Endurance Road), CRC (Cyclocross), and HEC (Hybrid/E-Road) lines. Wheels with a DT Swiss product ID greater than 2,750,000 are included in the recall, and these were manufactured from September 1, 2024, onwards.
Owners of these wheelsets are advised to immediately stop riding them and to check their product ID using the DT Swiss recall webpage. The product ID can be found on a sticker between the spokes, on the rim tape, or under the tape on the rim bed. It is essential to take this precaution as the delamination occurs at the rim flange, compromising the wheel's structural integrity.
DT Swiss apologises for any inconvenience caused and is committed to resolving the situation as soon as possible. The company is currently investigating the root cause of the issue and will provide further instructions, which may include in-person inspections or wheel replacements.
It is worth noting that other DT Swiss wheel families such as GRC or ARC are not affected, even if they have higher ID numbers. Affected wheelsets have been supplied to bicycle manufacturers, brands, and retailers, so it is essential to verify the product ID of any DT Swiss wheelset to ensure safety.
Customers will be informed about the necessary measures once the investigation results are known, which may range from inspection to product replacement. In the meantime, DT Swiss urges all owners of the affected wheelsets to follow their safety guidance to avoid potential wheel failure.
[1] DT Swiss Recall Webpage: [link to the recall webpage] [2] DT Swiss Press Release: [link to the press release] [3] Bicycle Retailer and Industry News: [link to the news article] [4] Cycling Weekly: [link to the news article]
While the recall affects DT Swiss' ERC, CRC, and HEC series road cycling wheels, it does not impact their GRC or ARC counterparts. To ensure safety, it's crucial for owners to cease using these affected wheelsets immediate, verify their product ID, and follow the safety instructions provided on the DT Swiss recall webpage or related news articles. [DT Swiss Recall Webpage: link / DT Swiss Press Release: link / Bicycle Retailer and Industry News: link / Cycling Weekly: link]
