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Major recall of 2011 Specialized urban and cyclocross bikes

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If you own a 2011 Specialized cyclocross or city/hybrid bike, be aware of a major recall issued yesterday afternoon by the Consumer Products Safety Commission. See the full statement below and see images of the recalled bikes at the CPSC website.

Specialized Bicycle Components Recalls Bicycles Due to Fall Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Bicycles with Advanced Group carbon forks

Units: About 14,200

Distributor: Specialized Bicycle Components Inc., of Morgan Hill, Calif.

Manufacturer: Advanced Group, of Taiwan

Hazard: The brake component housed within the bicycle’s carbon fork can disengage from the fork and allow the brake assembly to contact the wheel spokes while rotating, posing a fall hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: The company has received two reports of the brake component disengaging from the carbon fork. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves the following nine, 2011 model year bicycles with Advanced Group carbon forks: Sirrus Expert, Sirrus Comp, Sirrus Elite, Vita Expert, Vita Comp, Vita Elite, Vita Elite Step Thru, Tricross Sport, Tricross, and Tricross Comp. All bicycles have the brand name “Specialized” on the lower front frame tube. The model name is on the top tube.

Sold at: Authorized Specialized Retailers nationwide from June 2010 through August 2011 for between $700 and $2,000.

Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop riding these bicycles and return them to an authorized Specialized retailer for a free repair or replacement carbon fork.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Specialized toll-free at (877) 808-8154 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the company’s website at www.specialized.com

Bamboo Bamboosero Road 2010

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Year: 2010
Brand: Bamboosero
Model: Road
Color:Bamboo
Size:56cm
Stolen in Portland, OR 97210
Stolen:2011-09-22
Stolen From: Outside the New Old Lompoc at 1616 NW 23rd
Neighborhood: Northwest
Owner: Mitch Finnegan
OwnerEmail: Mitch.finnegan@oregonzoo.org
Description: Natural bamboo frame, Rohloff internal gear rear hub, moustache handlebars
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

yellow schwinn caliente 1982

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Year: 1982
Brand: schwinn
Model: caliente
Color:yellow
Stolen in Portland, OR 97212
Stolen:2011-09-20
Stolen From: 35th & NE Schuyler, from side yard
Neighborhood: Northeast
Owner: mike rose
OwnerEmail: mike.rose314@gmail.com
Reward: yes
Description: bontrage tires with aluminum rims, 12 speed with ultra low gear and cork-like wrapping on handel bar
Police record with: Portland
Police reference#: 11-155226
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Catching up with the CRC project

The CRC FEIS, now available for viewing
at locations throughout Portland.
(Photo © J. Maus)

It’s been several months since I last chimed in on the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project.

Somehow, despite many lingering questions — especially around its funding plan — the $3.5 billion project which has been a roller-coaster of controversy and stops and starts over last several years — seems to have gained a bit of momentum. Or, as noted local architecture critic Brian Libby puts it, the “Frankenstein lurches closer to life.”

On September 8th, Metro council (led by ardent CRC supporter Tom Hughes) voted 5-0 in support of the CRC’s Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). To give you an idea of the importance and context of that vote, here’s a snip of reporting on it from The Columbian:

Read more

Gas-powered wheelchair bike spotted in Old Town

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Gas powered wheelchair bike-1

Yes that’s a gas tank.
See more photos below.
(Photos © J. Maus)

With the Oregon Manifest set to start tomorrow, I’ve been thinking a lot about just what exactly is the “ultimate modern utility bike.”

I’ve also been thinking about the many people in our community who make bikes. From the visionary ‘velocipedes’ of Neal Fegan, the ‘rejuiced’ functionality of Johnnie Olivan, the large-scale production of the folks at Chris King, and of course the independent artisan craftsmen and craftswomen pursuing perfection for hours on end.

Read more

Black Specialized Hard Rock 2010

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Year: 2010
Brand: Specialized
Model: Hard Rock
Color:Black
Size:15
Serial:P9EA50574
Photo: http://motherlowed.com/img/image2.aspx.jpeg
Stolen in Portland, OR 97210
Stolen:2011-09-18
Stolen From: The Alvarado Apartments in NW Portland on 22nd and NW Everett Street.
Neighborhood: Northwest Portland / Nob Hill
Owner: Russ Lowe
OwnerEmail: russ@motherlowed.com
Description: The bike was my 11 year old son’s, stolen along with my city commuter bike. In very good condition, only a year or so old. Had a dock for a tail light just behind the saddle, front shock. Otherwise, a pretty stock Specialized Hard Rock purchased from River City Bicycles in 2010.
Police record with: Portland Police Beaureau
Police reference#: T11006754
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

black Redline Metro Disc 2009

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Year: 2009
Brand: Redline
Model: Metro Disc
Color:black
Size:medium
Serial:ICS9D01088
Stolen in Portland, OR 97213
Stolen:2011-09-22
Stolen From: east lounge nw everett between 3rd and 4th
Neighborhood: oldtown/chinatown
Owner: Eric Reddy
OwnerEmail: ereddypdx@gmail.com
Reward: $200
Description: matte black with grey writing and has lucky 13 bicycle shop logo and helmet
Police record with: portland pd
Police reference#: 11-155246

Mark Bosworth search Day 6 updates

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Updated flyer
JPG / PDF

Even after the large-scale, volunteer search effort in the Riddle area was downsized yesterday (not “called off” like I initially reported), the search for Mark Bosworth continues.

It’s now been six days since Mark was last seen at a Cycle Oregon campsite in Riddle. The big development yesterday was the offer of a $10,000 reward for information leading to his discovery.

More about the reward and the latest on the search below…

Read more

It’s that time of year again… Beware of sun glare

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This photo, taken at 7:28 this
morning, shows the impact of sun glare.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Last year about this time I shared a friendly warning about the perils of sun glare. It just so happens that the sun rises and sets about the same time as the peak AM and PM commutes when lots of people are on the roads. When the sun is at just the right angle, it’s very difficult to see and glare causes many collisions each year — like the one that seriously injured 76-year-old Clark Henry a few weeks ago.

Yesterday I was reminded about this hazard from reader Craig H. Craig shared the story of his friend who was hit on Tuesday morning at 7:30 am while bicycling eastbound (into the sun) on N. Lombard:

Read more

Silver and Black Raleigh cadent 2007

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Year: 2007
Brand: Raleigh
Model: cadent
Color:Silver and Black
Stolen in Portland, OR 97201
Stolen:2011-09-21
Stolen From: Downtown Portland: SW 12th and Morrison.
Neighborhood: down town southwest area
Owner: Julie Lewis
OwnerEmail: julielou25@yahoo.com
Reward: $200.00
Description: Silver Raleigh road bike with Black and a small yellow and red stripe. 2 water bottle holders, a mud guard, a flashing back light, an attachment for a front light.

http://imageshack.us/content_round.php?page=done&l=img535/1170/raleighcadent.jpg&via=mupload&newlp=1
Police record with: Portland
Police reference#: T11006723