Trek / Bontrager RSL VR-C Recall

[Fisherfreerider]

Something that everyone is missing here is the process with the CPSC. They run the show once they are involved and the companies hands are tied. Straying from the guidelines the CPSC lays out can lead to bigger problems and fines than the recall involves. It sucks for the customer but its how the game has to be played.

[MitchatTrek]

Hey all, just to provide clarity and to confirm the above, Trek is currently undergoing an investigation into the Aeolus RSL VR-C handlebar/stem here in the USA with the CPSC. We don't have complete details to share yet, but once we do, and a solution is in place that meets the CPSCs and our requirements, we will have an active recall. We would advise against riding these handlebars in the meantime.

Once available, full details for our recall will be shared on our website listed below:

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/comp ... y_recalls/

Stay tuned for updates there and also lookout for contact from your retailer. We can't provide further detail about the bar/stem yet, but it is on the way soon.

Wouldnt it be in the best interest of your customers (who paid a lot of money for the bikes) if you told them everthing you know so far? There obviously is a reason, why Trek is doing a recall. So share all the information you already have collected. It seems like Trek is covering up for potential legal issues, until their marketing department has figured out, how they can "sell" this recall without looking too bad.

No one is covering anything up, but the government restricts what we can say, legally - in this case the CPSC. We had our dealers inform their customers about the upcoming recall just to get the word out there early without stepping on the toes of the government.

[MitchatTrek]

Something that everyone is missing here is the process with the CPSC. They run the show once they are involved and the companies hands are tied. Straying from the guidelines the CPSC lays out can lead to bigger problems and fines than the recall involves. It sucks for the customer but its how the game has to be played.

^THIS - but once we get approval from them, we'll have all the details for everyone!

[BigBoyND]

Will the new Madone bar be the VR-C replacement? You said in the Madone thread that it will not be backwards compatible despite using the same routing (I assume this means external and routed to the front of the headset). My VR-C is not on a Madone anyway.

Edit: nvm I found the routing in the manual. Might still work on a Venge though. Routing looks the same.

[MitchatTrek]

Will the new Madone bar be the VR-C replacement? You said in the Madone thread that it will not be backwards compatible despite using the same routing (I assume this means external and routed to the front of the headset). My VR-C is not on a Madone anyway.

Edit: nvm I found the routing in the manual. Might still work on a Venge though. Routing looks the same.

It won't be the Aeolus VR-C replacement as it is just for the Madone as confirmed by our product team - we're working on an equal replacement, however.

[maxim809]

Word I got was that the RSL's are cracking underneath the bars, around where the cables route. Not enough strength. Strong, heavy riders are most likely to be impacted, but everyone should follow recall instructions regardless.

Corrective action is to replace with 2-piece for now. Your LBS will call you to collect S/N and a pic if they haven't already. Some are reaching out early to get a head start. Anyway, just take it 1 step at a time from there.

Maybe this is a golden opportunity to try out a different bar width/stem combo to dial your fit, if that 1-piece was just shy of perfect.

[dmbiscuit]

Anyone have an update yet on this?

[ArtifactsInMotion]

I've not received any notification, courtesy call, email—ANYTHING from my local dealer. I think Trek is trusting too much in their dealer's ability to provide proper customer service. Took it into my own hands and called the shop where I purchased. Of course no one knew what was going on other than the one road bike specialist there, and even he didn't have much information at the time. No updates yet.

[boots2000]

Please relay to the product team that the replacement version should have a bar with shorter reach and a bend that doesn't make the hooks of the bars point upwards in a 56cm.

Will the new Madone bar be the VR-C replacement? You said in the Madone thread that it will not be backwards compatible despite using the same routing (I assume this means external and routed to the front of the headset). My VR-C is not on a Madone anyway.

Edit: nvm I found the routing in the manual. Might still work on a Venge though. Routing looks the same.

It won't be the Aeolus VR-C replacement as it is just for the Madone as confirmed by our product team - we're working on an equal replacement, however.

[Hexsense]

Please relay to the product team that the replacement version should have a bar with shorter reach and a bend that doesn't make the hooks of the bars point upwards in a 56cm.

Disagreed. Long reach is their selling point.

Long reach is exactly why I just bought Bontrager XXX Aero road bar to use with my Cannondale SystemSix.
I much prefer 90mm stem+ long reach bar than 110mm stem+ short reach bar.
There's more forearm support in aero hood position with long reach bar.
Illustration by maxim809:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=166564&hilit=aero+h ... n#p1712708
My illustration
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=166564&p=1758862#p1758862

[robertoguinn]

I called my local Trek dealer (who sold me the bars) a month ago, and they said they had a list of all the owners (including myself) who they were meant to contact. But since they had no information from Trek, all they could suggest is that I bring it in to swap out with temporary bars and stem. Since I'm not too heavy and have ridden them for a year, I said I'd just wait for the new model. I also requested a shorter/narrower replacement than I now have, which they said no problem. If you don't like the reach you got, sounds like there's a free option to switch right now.

Haven't heard anything since, and the Trek recall website still says none in 2022. The Trek team appears to be riding them right now in the Tour, but they could have obtained priority replacement models. I gather this isn't a certain death failure type thing, or Trek would be risking some pricy lawsuits in not urgently contacting every buyer [last month].

[Eggyeggs]

Is this recall worldwide or just limited to the states?

[MisterNoChain]

Is this recall worldwide or just limited to the states?

Worldwide

[Eggyeggs]

Is this recall worldwide or just limited to the states?

Worldwide

Is their replacement ready yet? or just stop using it for now, wait for us to come up with a replacement?

[MisterNoChain]

Is this recall worldwide or just limited to the states?

Worldwide

Is their replacement ready yet? or just stop using it for now, wait for us to come up with a replacement?

No. For the time being Trek offers to replace the handlebar with an alu stem + bar. When the new handlebar is available you can switch back to those.