Bike Shaped Object

A Bike Shaped Object, or BSO, (aka Object resembling a bicycle or ORB and as a flat-box bike) is a neologism meaning an inexpensive bicycle of dubious quality. The term is used to describe the bikes sold at Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, Toys R US, Sports Authority, Sears, etc. Brands include: Magna, Next, Extreme, Roadmaster, but also includes some Schwinn, Murray, Pacific and KIA. These bikes are generally built in Asia, particularly China and Taiwan.
Recalls
Many of these bikes have been recalled due to structural issues.
Dynacraft
On November 19, 2004 Dynacraft Inc. was given a $1.4 million fine for failing to promptly report a safety defect in its mountain bicycles to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Between July 1999 and March 2001, Dynacraft imported nearly 250,000 mountain bicycles that were manufactured with two types of defective forks, the CPSC said. Between July 1999 and March 2001, the CPSC said Dynacraft imported nearly 250,000 mountain bicycles that were manufactured with two types of defective forks. Over 50,000 of these bicycles also were made with a defect that caused the pedals to come loose and fall off, resulting in a loss of control by the rider. , CPSC and the firm recalled only 19,000 bicycles in February 2000. Yet, the firm knew of additional consumers who experienced the same problem with the bicycles, but these incidents were not reported to CPSC until July 2000. The February 2000 recall was expanded in September 2000 to include another 24,800 Vertical XL2 and Magna Electroshock model bicyles. Dynacraft reported problems with the Magna Electroshock model in August 2000, including 35 incidents and injuries (concussions, fractures, and lost teeth). In March 2001, Dynacraft informed the CPSC that about 31 riders using the Next Shockzone model mountain bikes who were injured between March 2000 and March 2001. In addition to broken bones, cuts and bruises, one rider suffered a blood clot in the brain. The recall of 38,000 Next Shockzone bicycles in April 2001 also involved defective suspension forks.
Magna
In 1999 Dynacraft voluntarily recalled about 3,000 Magna "Great Divide," 21- speed mountain bikes, sold in the 24-inch size for girls and boys, and the 26-inch size for women and men. The bikes could have defective handle bar stems which would not tighten sufficiently to lock onto the bicycles. This can cause the front wheel not to turn properly, resulting in serious injuries to the rider from falls. Dynacraft stated that is not aware of any injuries or incidents involving these bicycles. The bikes have a model number on the left side of the seat post. The girls' bikes have model number 8504-50 and are purple. The boys' bikes have model number 8504-51 and are blue. The women's bikes have model number 8547-84 and also are purple. The mens' bikes have model number 8547-85 and are black. The words "Great Divide" are located on the cross-tubes of these bicycles and the word "KALLOY" is located on the handlebar stems. Fred Meyer Stores in Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Oregon, Utah and Washington sold these bikes from December 1998 through August 18, 1999.
NEXT
In 2002 132,000 Next Ultra Shock mountain bicycles with "Ballistic 105" front suspension forks were recalled in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). There were 20 reports of the suspension forks breaking on the Next Ultra Shock bicycles, resulting in 19 riders suffering injuries that include abrasions, concussions and chipped teeth. US International Co. Ltd. manufactured the forks on these bicycles. These forks can break apart, causing riders to lose control, fall and suffer serious injury. The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) which previously announced the recall of about 103,000 of these forks sold on bicycles manufactured by Brunswick Corp. There have been 20 reports of the suspension forks breaking on the Next Ultra Shock bicycles, resulting in 19 riders suffering injuries that include abrasions, concussions and chipped teeth. The recall includes only on blue Next Ultra Shock bicycles, with model numbers 8524-14 and 8526-20 manufactured between April 1999 and November 9, 1999. Wal-Mart stores nationwide sold these mountain bikes from May 1999 through December 2000.
During 2003, Dynacraft voluntarily recalled about 52,900 BMX bicycles whose stems could loosen during use, causing riders to lose control and fall. Dynacraft received 35 reports of stems loosening on these bicycles, resulting in one report of an injury (a broken finger). The recall includes two models of 20-inch BMX bicycles. The Next Voltage-model bicycles are metallic green, have model number 8535-99 and were manufactured between March 2002 and June 2002. The Vertical Street Blade-model bicycles are dark blue and chrome colored, have model number 8527-99 and were manufactured between March 2002 and April 2002. Wal-Mart stores sold the Next Voltage-model bicycles nationwide, including Puerto Rico, from May 2002 through November 2002. Pamida stores sold the Vertical Street Blade-model bicycles nationwide from April 2002 through April 2003.
Triax and Vertical brands
On 28 March 2007, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, announced a voluntary recall of the Triax PK7 and Vertical PK7 Bicycles. This affected about 32,000 units manufactured by the Shun Lu Bicycle Company, of Guangdong, China, whose frame can crack while in use, causing the rider to lose control and suffer injuries from a fall or collision. This recall involves Triax PK7 (model 8509-24) and Vertical PK7 (model 8596-71T) 20-inch aluminum cushion framed bicycles. The Triax model was manufactured between November 2005 and October 2006, and the Vertical model was manufactured between August 2004 and December 2004. The model numbers and manufacture dates are printed on a label affixed to the bicycle frame. These bicycles were sold at Target stores nationwide from September 2004 through early February 2007 for about $100.

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