The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereCPSC·81026·Announced 1981-10-13

Beacon and Sears Stationary Bicycles Recalled for Seat Attachment Defect

Beacon Enterprises is replacing seat hardware on over 120,000 stationary bikes sold by Sears, Montgomery Ward, and Alden's due to reports of serious injuries from broken seat posts.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly states that customers were 'seriously injured' when the seat post broke, which aligns with the rubric criterion for 'significant injury reports' under a Severe (4) classification.

Plain-English summary

Beacon Enterprises, Inc. is conducting a voluntary recall of more than 120,000 stationary exercise bikes, specifically the Scandia model 462 dual-action cycler and the Sears model 2930. These units were manufactured between August 1976 and July 1980 and sold through catalogs and retail stores nationwide, including Montgomery Ward, Alden's, and Sears, Roebuck and Co. Retail prices for the bikes ranged from approximately $20 to $30.

The recall is being issued because some customers failed to follow assembly instructions, leading to serious injuries when the metal seat post unexpectedly broke through the plastic seat. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported six injuries between 1979 and 1981, though no injuries were reported from bikes sold by Alden's or Sears, and no injuries occurred when bikes were properly assembled. Design changes implemented in August 1980 limit the recall to units manufactured before that date; bikes built after August 1980 bear orange-red decals on the seat tops.

Consumers should stop using units if the seat bolt and nut are not in place and contact the manufacturer. Owners with the bolt and nut installed should ensure the nut is secured tightly. Beacon is providing a free replacement kit containing a bolt, lock washer, nut, warning decal, and instructions. Customers can call 212-683-9288 collect for more information.

The recalled product

Product
Beacon stationary bicycles
Manufacturer
Sears
Category
Consumer Product — Exercise Equipment
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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