Ritchey Recalls 775 Carbon Bike Forks Over Fall and Crash Hazard
On August 13, 2026, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Ritchey Design announced a Ritchey carbon fork recall covering roughly 775 carbon-fiber bicycle forks and complete framesets sold across the United States. The reason is a small part with an outsized consequence: an alloy insert in the front crown hole can loosen, letting an attached accessory come free and drop onto the spinning front wheel. On a bike moving at speed, that is exactly the kind of failure that can throw a rider over the bars, which is why the agency classes it as a serious fall and crash hazard.
What happened
The recall (CPSC recall number 26-696) covers Ritchey’s WCS carbon forks and several framesets built around them. The affected individual forks are the WCS Carbon Mountain Adventure Fork, the WCS Carbon Brevet Road Fork, the WCS Carbon Adventure Gravel Fork, and the WCS Carbon Tapered Adventure Gravel Fork. The recall also names three framesets that use these forks: the Montebello in Hot Sauce, the Septimer in Black & White, and the Outback in Aurora and Winter Sage colorways.
At the heart of the problem is the crown hole at the top of the fork, a fitting many riders use to mount a front rack, fender, or similar accessory. According to the recall notice, the alloy insert that anchors hardware in that hole can work loose. If it does, whatever was bolted there can detach and fall directly into the path of the front wheel. Ritchey received one report of a loose alloy insert. No injuries have been reported so far, and the company is acting before that changes.
- What was recalled: About 775 Ritchey WCS carbon-fiber bicycle forks and the Montebello, Septimer, and Outback framesets that use them.
- The hazard: The alloy insert in the front crown hole can loosen, allowing a mounted accessory to detach and land on the front wheel.
- Where and when sold: At Performance Bike in Chico, California; Adrenaline Bikes in Orange, California; Excel Sports in Boulder, Colorado; other bike shops nationwide; and ritcheylogic.com, from July 2024 through June 2026.
- Price: About $660 to $700 for an individual fork and roughly $1,760 to $3,500 for a complete frameset.
- Incidents: One report of a loose alloy insert; no injuries reported.
Why it matters for safety
A front-wheel jam is one of the most dangerous mechanical failures a cyclist can experience. Unlike a slow leak or a skipping chain, an object dropping into the front wheel can stop it almost instantly, pitching the rider forward with little warning and no time to react. That risk is amplified on the gravel, adventure, and road bikes these forks were built for, where riders often travel at highway-shoulder speeds, carry loaded bags on front racks, and ride far from immediate help.
It is worth noting what this Ritchey carbon fork recall is and is not. The forks themselves are not reported to be cracking or snapping; the issue is the accessory-mounting insert in the crown hole. But the practical danger is the same regardless of the root cause. A helmet protects your head in a crash, yet no amount of personal protective equipment can substitute for equipment that stays intact and predictable underneath you. Preventing the fall in the first place is always the stronger layer of protection, and that is what a prompt recall repair delivers.
What you should do
If you own one of the affected forks or framesets, the CPSC’s guidance is to stop riding the bike immediately and inspect the crown hole. Look closely at whether a rack, fender, or any other accessory is mounted through that front crown fitting, since a loosening insert is the specific failure being addressed. Do not simply retighten the hardware and keep riding; the recall calls for a free repair kit rather than a field fix.
Ritchey is offering a complimentary Fork Crown Hole Closure Kit to every affected owner. Riders can register for the kit at the company’s recall page and follow the included instructions to secure the crown hole. If you are not sure whether your fork or frameset is covered, contact Ritchey before your next ride rather than guessing.
What to do. Stop riding an affected Ritchey fork or frameset now. Register at ritcheylogic.com/support/recall for a free Fork Crown Hole Closure Kit, or call Ritchey at 800-748-2439 (9 a.m.–5 p.m. PT, weekdays). Do not reattach front-hole accessories until the repair is complete.
- Stop and inspect: Take the bike out of service and check the front crown hole for mounted accessories.
- Register for the repair: Sign up at ritcheylogic.com/support/recall to receive the free Fork Crown Hole Closure Kit.
- Call if unsure: Reach Ritchey at 800-748-2439 or ritcheydesign@ritcheylogic.com to confirm whether your model is affected.
- Do not improvise: Skip temporary retightening and wait for the official kit and instructions.
Context and what’s next
The forks were manufactured in Taiwan for Ritchey Design, based in Reno, Nevada, and were sold between July 2024 and June 2026. Because they reached buyers through both independent bike shops and direct online sales, some owners may not learn of the recall from the shop where they bought the bike. That makes it important to spread the word among gravel and adventure riding communities, where these components are popular and where secondhand sales can put affected forks on bikes whose current owners never saw the original purchase.
Recalls like this one are a reminder that the safest response to a small, single incident is often a fast one. With just one report of a loose insert and no injuries, Ritchey and the CPSC moved to close the crown hole before the failure could put a rider on the ground. Owners who register promptly, install the closure kit, and hold off on front-hole accessories until the repair is done remove the hazard entirely. If you ride with anyone who runs a Ritchey adventure, gravel, or road setup, a quick heads-up about this recall could keep them upright.
Disclaimer. This article is for general safety information only and is not legal, medical, or professional advice. Recall details, remedies, and contact information can change; always confirm the latest guidance directly with the CPSC and Ritchey Design before acting. If you own an affected product, follow the official recall instructions.
Sources: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission — Ritchey Design Recalls Carbon Bicycle Forks (Recall 26-696); Ritchey Design — Recall registration and support.
