J.C. Penney Alerts Consumers To Potential Bike Defect

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 20) -- The J.C. Penney Co., Inc., New York City, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), today warned bike riders that about 33,500 bicycles marketed under the "J.C. Penney" brand name may have a defective pedal crank that could break, possibly resulting in serious injury to the rider.

The bicycles with the possibly faulty cranks are deraillure-type, 24-, 26-, and 27-inch, lo-speed, lightweight vehicles. They are painted light tan or dark grey and were manufactured in 1977 and 1978.

J.C. Penney marketed the bicycles in their retail and catalog stores in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. One bike sold under the Penney's name was associated with a laceration injury that occurred when the pedal crank broke.

Consumers can tell if they have one of the bicycles by looking for the numbers 2131A2, 2141A2, 2180Al or 2181Al on the outside of the left, rear, metal axle plate where the wheel is attached. Also appearing with each number is a J.C. Penney catalog number. The light tan bikes are imprinted with catalog numbers 927-3525, 927-3533, 927-7070, 927-7088, 927-7096, 927-7104 or 927-7112. The dark grey bicycles bear catalog number 927-7120.

Penney's and CPSC strongly urge consumers who own one of the possibly defective bikes to contact a J.C. Penney store or catalog center for free inspection and, if necessary, replacement of the pedal crank.

A recall that included the J.C. Penney bicycles was first announced by the Huffy Corp. and CPSC on May 31, 1978.

To verify model and catalog numbers, call CPSC's toll-free Hotline at 800/638-2772.