What happened
On October 8, 2026, the CPSC announced that Decathlon America was recalling about 1,150 Van Rysel GRVL AF adult gravel bicycles — four colorways across model numbers 8911304, 8911305, 8911308 and 8929130, in sizes x-small through x-large. The hazard: the front lock nut can loosen during use, causing the front wheel to dislodge or loosen over time, posing a crash hazard the notice describes as a risk of serious injury or death.
The bikes were sold at REI Co-op stores nationwide and on REI.com from March 2025 through August 2026 for between ,400 and ,300. Manufactured in China, they were imported by Decathlon America LLC of San Francisco and distributed by Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) of Sumner, Washington. The remedy is a free inspection and repair of the front fork assembly at any REI location, or through Decathlon customer service; no incidents or injuries had been reported when the recall was announced (recall number 27-017).
What it cost
About 1,150 bikes (,400–,300 each) recalled for free fork inspection and repair; no incidents or injuries reported, but a safety recall on a flagship house brand.
Why it happened
A lock nut that loosens in normal riding fails the basic job of keeping the wheel attached — the kind of defect that only shows up on the road, where failure is dangerous.
Gravel riding and bikepacking load the front end hardest, exactly where the defect sits.
With zero reported incidents, recalling before an injury both limits the human cost and blunts the legal exposure.
The lesson
A fastener that can loosen in normal use fails the one job it exists for. Recalling before anyone gets hurt costs less than the alternative.
Aftermath
The recall was in progress as of the October 8, 2026 announcement: owners were told to stop using the bikes immediately, and repairs ran free of charge through REI Co-op or Decathlon customer service. No injury reports had been filed.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE