Cyclingnews spotted an online service bulletin containing news of a recall for Sram aftermarket 12-speed road shift/brake levers in October last year. Sram has now announced the news of an official safety recall notice on affected AXS Red, Force, Rival, and Apex shift/brake levers produced before July 1, 2023.
Shifters affected by the recall are aftermarket units that will still move on the handlebar despite the shifter clamp bolts being torqued to spec. Which poses an obvious safety risk to riders.
The specific issue that has prompted the recall was described in the service bulletin last year as:
"Excess threadlock on the shift-brake lever clamp bolt may result in the clamp not being tightened despite reaching recommended bolt torque. This may result in a shifter-brake lever which moves on the handlebar. If it moves during riding, it can cause a crash due to loss of control."
Which units are affected?
Sram is very clear on which brake/shifter units are affected. All 12-speed Red, Force, Rival and Apex AXS brake/shifter units which were not installed by a dealer on new bikes are involved in the recall.
If your levers were on a complete, new bicycle which was purchased at or installed by a bike dealer then no action is required.
We initially reported this news only affected units in North America, but now the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) page is public we understand that the recall affects units in Europe as well. The page also mentions that no incidents or injuries have been reported as a result of the issue.
How to check your own shifters
Sram has provided clear-cut steps on how to check your shifters if you think they may affected. We have embedded the brand's Instagram video with clear-cut instructions below. Riders who don't feel comfortable checking their own equipment can get their bike checked at an authorised Sram dealer. Sram dealers can tighten clamp bolts or replace the bolt kit at no cost to the customer.
In the steps, Sram recommended repeating of the loosening off and torquing of the shifter bolt an additional two times. In the post's comments, they explain this is to clear the excess thread lock which has been applied to the bolt threads. We assume clearing the excess thread lock may solve the issue but it's clear Sram are taking no half measures to ensure rider safety by providing a replacement bolt kit if needed.
