Specialized has just issued a recall for its Roubaix, Ruby, Diverge, and Sirrus models due to an issue with the clamping steerer tube collars on the Future Shock.
The Future Shock, if you need reminding, is a spring inside a cartridge located between the stem and head tube. It was introduced on the redesigned Roubaix a couple of years ago and delivers impressive ride comfort and smoothness. We were so impressed we gave it our Endurance and Sportive Bike of the Year award last year.
To be clear, the issue isn't with the Future Shock itself. It's the clamping collar around the top of the stubby steerer tube which is used for preloading the headset bearings that appears to be the cause of the issue.
Specialized says it the voluntary recall is due to “stress corrosion cracking” with the collar that clamps around the top of the steerer tube. It has designed a new and improved collar which, together with an adjustment to the torque setting, will significantly improve the collar’s resistance to stress corrosion cracking.
Specialized has produced a list of bikes affected by this issue and urges anyone with a bike to stop riding it immediately and return it to the bike shop for a new collar to be fitted.
Here’s the full statement from Specialized.
Dear Specialized Rider,
Your safety is our top priority. Whenever something happens that may compromise your safety, we take immediate action.
Based upon reports from the field, the steerer tube collar on select Roubaix, Ruby, Diverge, and Sirrus bicycles may be susceptible to stress corrosion cracking. When that happens, it may result in a sudden loss of steering control while riding.
Click here to view a list of affected models by Model Year.
We are voluntary recalling the steerer tube collars on these bicycles and are replacing them with a new, improved collar which, together with an adjustment to the torque setting, will significantly improve the collar’s resistance to stress corrosion cracking. We have reported the matter to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and are working closely with them on a press release announcing the recall shortly.
Please stop riding your bicycle immediately and visit your local Authorized Specialized Retailer to have a new steerer tube collar installed, at no cost to you.
We wish to apologize for this inconvenience and thank you for your patience.
Thank you for riding Specialized.
Jon Goulet, Director, Global Quality and Rider Care
David has worked on the road.cc tech team since July 2012. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds.