Manufacturing Company Hit with Class Action Suit for Selling Defective Bike Parts

Shimano, a Japanese manufacturing company, allegedly produced and distributed defective bicycle parts to its customers for years. Those customers are calling upon the company for answers – and justice. 

Dwoskin Wasdin attorneys Eric Dwoskin and Nick Wasdin, alongside attorneys from Dicello Leavitt, Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman, and Larson, represent a group of consumers in a class action lawsuit against Shimano. 

The complaint, filed in the United States District Court of the Central District of California, alleges that Shimano sold and distributed defective cranksets to leading bicycle manufacturers, such as Trek Bicycle Corporation, Giant Bicycle and more. The crankset is a key component to the overall functionality and safety of a bike as it controls the bike's ability to pedal.  

The complaint argues that defective cranksets can malfunction during use and cause crashes resulting in significant personal injury to the cyclist. 

As detailed in the suit, Shimano denied the existence of the defect for years, finally issuing a recall in September 2023 after repeated complaints by users. The recall solution, as outlined in the complaint, suggested that only customers whose cranksets show signs of bonding separation or delamination during an inspection by a bicycle dealership can be provided with a free and professionally installed replacement.  

“Those who ride bikes with these potentially dangerous parts but have not yet seen signs of their defectiveness are left in an incredibly frightening position,” said Dwoskin. “They are haunted by and continuously anticipating the day they crash and meet Shimano’s absurd qualifications for a replacement bracket, an event that could cause serious personal injury. It’s time we held manufacturers like Shimano accountable for the risk defects like these can pose to everyone’s safety.” 

The suit seeks to award class members nationwide for relief incurred by the use of these defective cranksets and hold Shimano and its retailers responsible for the production and distribution of those defective parts.