The Recall Desk
ModerateCPSC·21779·Announced 2021-09-09

Burley Ballz QR Skewers Recalled Due to Fall Hazard

Burley Design is recalling Ballz QR Skewers, which attach cargo trailers to bicycles, because the skewer can shear or bend, potentially destabilizing the trailer and bicycle and causing the rider to fall.

What this means for you

Minor labeling or packaging issue, or a voluntary precautionary recall. Risk of harm is low but real — follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: The source explicitly states that no injuries have been reported, and the hazard is potential (fall risk if the skewer fails). This meets the rubric criterion for Moderate: "low-risk contamination, voluntary precautionary recalls." Although 21 reports of skewer failure exist, absence of injury and the precautionary nature of the recall place this at score 2.

Plain-English summary

Burley Design LLC is recalling Ballz QR Skewers, which connect the Coho XC Cargo Trailer to bicycles. The skewer, a silver 5mm-diameter connector with spherical knobs at both ends and a lever, can shear or bend during use. This defect can cause instability of both the trailer and the towing bicycle, posing a fall hazard to the rider.

The recalled skewers include model numbers 960219, 960220, and 960222 sold as individual components, as well as model 960219 included with Coho XC Cargo Trailers (SKU 935101). About 2,935 units were distributed in the United States, with an additional 260 units in Canada. The products were sold through REI stores nationwide, online at rei.com, burley.com, and amazon.com, and through bicycle retailers nationwide from August 2018 through February 2021. Individual skewers sold for about $30; the Coho XC Cargo Trailer with skewer sold for about $450.

Burley has received 21 reports of skewer failure. No injuries have been reported. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Ballz QR Skewers and contact Burley to receive instructions on disposal and a free replacement skewer. Consumers can call Burley at 800-311-5294 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. PT), email [email protected], or visit burley.com/ballz-qr-skewer-recall/ or burley.com for more information.

The recalled product

Product
Ballz QR Skewers
Manufacturer
Burley Design LLC, of Eugene, Ore.
Category
Consumer Product — Bicycle Accessory
Hazard
  • fall-hazard
  • structural-failure
  • instability
Affected units
2,935

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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