STEVENS E-Inception - model year 2021

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Hamburg, Oct 11th, 2021

Dear Customer,

the safety of STEVENS bikes is at the forefront of everything we do and is the most important indicator of the quality of our products.

We would hereby like to inform you that STEVENS Vertriebs GmbH is conducting a voluntary product recall for some e-bike models.

Affected are the following models of the STEVENS E-Inception series, model year 2021, with trade delivery date December 2020 to July 2021. Later productions are not affected. Your specialist dealer can reliably inform you whether your e-bike is affected.

• E-Inception FR 9.7 GTF
• E-Inception ED 8.7 GTF
• E-Inception AM 9.7 GTF
• E-Inception AM 8.7 GTF
• E-Inception AM 7.7

These e-bikes are equipped with an EP800 motor from Shimano and an e*spec EP800 crankset from the manufacturer e*thirteen. In a few cases, material cracks have occurred on the shaft of the drive motor in practice. Extensive quality and load tests by an external testing institute prove that the cranks and drive shafts of our above-mentioned production series do not work perfectly together. The combination of EP800 motor and e*thirteen crank passes the prescribed ISO test 4210-8 I 4.6.2. However, extensive corrosion and fatigue tests in accordance with ISO 9227 I 2017-07 revealed the error pattern from practice. In contrast, the combination of Shimano cranks with the EP800 motor passed all tests, including the corrosion and fatigue tests.

Based on the independent laboratory test results, we cannot rule out safety concerns with the installed combination of electric motor and crank set. If a breakage of the drive shaft occurs under higher loads, this can pose a significant safety and injury risk for the rider.

STEVENS Vertriebs GmbH has therefore decided to carry out a voluntary product recall and to check the drive shaft of all e-bikes from this model series and to replace the crankset with cranks from the manufacturer Shimano (FC-EM600). Inspection and replacement take place in our master workshop at the company location in Hamburg and are free of charge for you. The bike will be returned to you in technically perfect condition.

To ensure that this exchange can take place quickly, please contact the dealer from whom you purchased your bike. Arrange an appointment with them to hand over your e-bike so that we can collect it from your dealer.

We will make every effort to carry out the conversion as quickly as possible. At the moment, we assume a processing time of approx. 7 working days. Your specialist dealer will inform you when you can collect your e-bike from him again.

We apologize for the effort and your troubles!

Your STEVENS Bikes Team

deutsch – english

At STEVENS Vertriebs GmbH, we have committed ourselves to the strictest criteria for the safety and reliability of our products. In addition to extensive internal and external tests prior to market launch, which go far beyond the minimum standards, we also closely observe the products and designs in practice.

Our partner PROFILE DESIGN has informed us about the need to replace the "Aeria Ultimate" base handlebars on our model STEVENS VOLT (model years 2018 to 2020) and have been asked for assistance in coordinating the recall. The company has received two reports of cracks or fractures in the bicycle aerobars. There have been no reports of injuries.

The handlebars affected by the recall, differ in the length of the handlebars in comparison to the upgrade. More detailed information is available at all STEVENS dealers. The best way to identify recalled handlebars is to measure the hand extensions from the leading edge of the wing to the tip of the hand extension. The recalled handlebars measure 5.3 inch. Detailed information can be found on the website of the partner PROFILE DESIGN: https://profile-design.com/pages/aeria-ultimate-recall

Buyers of the STEVENS VOLT triathlon bike are requested to contact their local STEVENS dealer. STEVENS Vertriebs GmbH recommends that the free exchange be carried out directly at the dealer. All STEVENS dealers offer a quick and free exchange of the handlebars at STEVENS specialist dealers.

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We at STEVENS Vertriebs GmbH are committed to the strictest criteria as to the safety and reliability of our products. In addition to complex internal and external tests before the product launch, which by far exceed the minimum standards, we also closely monitor our products and constructions in practice.

From our product monitoring we became aware of isolated failures of stems at our model STEVENS Super Trofeo of the model years 2014 to 2017. The irregularities with this component, which occur far less frequently than statistically significant thresholds, have prompted us to revise the existing stem and to publish this safety information.

A failure of this component could result in immediate loss of control which may lead to accidents with severe injuries. STEVENS Vertriebs GmbH warns not to continue using Super Trofeo with the original stem of the model from the years 2014-2017!
STEVENS Vertriebs GmbH asks all buyers or riders of Super Trofeos to take advantage of free replacement of the stem at your or another STEVENS dealer.

Of course we have also informed the STEVENS dealers. They have the new stems at hand or can order them immediately. Therefore, you will suffer only a short downtime of your Super Trofeo. STEVENS Vertriebs GmbH recommends you have the replacement carried out directly at your STEVENS dealer.

The models of the years 2014 to 2017 have the following design:

The stems look the same as in these drawings:

The new stems looks like this:

deutsch – english – nederlands

This image is only an example.

The models affected could look significantly different to the bike depicted.

Our bikes are available in different colours as well as with hub and derailleur gear systems.

Voluntary recall of Forma frames

During our on-going internal and external quality control processes, we discovered that in exceptional cases STEVENS Forma frames can exhibit a fault. We have therefore decided to exchange the frames affected. Here we will explain the best course of action for Forma owners.

STEVENS Vertriebs GmbH is committed to conforming with the strictest criteria when it comes to the safety and reliability of its products. That is why we carry out intensive quality control both internally and externally during the construction and production phases of our bicycles and continue to monitor the materials and constructions used in our products after their market launch.

After isolated cases of failures in the frames of STEVENS Forma bicycles (so-called “Low-step-thruframes”), the frequency of which is far below statistically significant levels, we have decided to launch a voluntary recall of the frames as a precaution.

In isolated cases for the bicycles in question, the stability of the frame at the connection between the head tube and down tube is affected. In cases such as this, the frame does not have any safety margin and this could result in a fall with consequential or personal damage.

Your safety comes first. That is why we are exchanging the affected frames free-ofcharge.
We kindly request that you refrain from using your STEVENS Forma bicycle with immediate effect.

If you own one of the STEVENS Forma frames affected, please follow the three steps outlined here to exchange your frame without any problems.

Affected frames up to 2008

Please first look at the head tube and the central down tube. (The head tube is the tube which connects the handlebar and fork, while the down tube is the lower tube which leads from the head tube to the bottom bracket.)

The STEVENS Forma frames affected have an oval shaped central down tube which is directly connected to the head tube with a weld seam all the way around.

Non-affected frames from 2009

The STEVENS Forma frames not affected by the recall (i.e. those built after 2009) have a flat, triangular strengthening bracket on the underside of the down tube.
A straight sidewall connects the head tube and the down tube on the underside of the down tube.
The weld seam is slightly curved.

2. What is the technical explanation for the fault?

Between the year 2002 and 2008, the down tube on the STEVENS Forma frames was welded to the head tube. If this welded connection was not optimally executed, cracks can form after longer periods of use. In the medium term, this can lead to the frame breaking. The isolated cases in which this has occurred can be traced to individual welding errors in this crucial part of the bike.

Forma frames built between 2002 and 2008 conformed to the state of the art in frame building at the time and passed all long-term load tests in line with the trekking EN norm. After recent investigations into the isolated cases of failure and further testing with additional loads, as a precaution STEVENS has decided to exchange the Forma frames currently in circulation. Although the risk of this error occurring in your frame is very low, we can now give no assurances as to the stability of your frame.

That's why we would like to give you the opportunity and would strongly urge you to exchange your old frame for a new frame which conforms to the 2012 technical standards. The frames from the 2012 model passed the Standard-, High- and auch Top-Performance testing levels at the famous EFBe Institute.

3. I have an affected STEVENS Forma frame. What can I do?

Very important: Please refrain from riding your STEVENS Forma bike!

First, you should contact your STEVENS retailer. If you do not have STEVENS retailer, you can find a STEVENS retailer near you using our retailer search feature.
We have informed all STEVENS retailers – they know the situation and will take care of you and your STEVENS bike. All you have to do is bring your STEVENS Forma to the retailer. Ideally, you should also print out the form below and fill it out before bringing it with you to the retailer.

PDF file Forma frame exchange form (579.2 kB)

Your retailer may also write to you if your address was saved when you purchased the bike.

Yes. If you do not want to upgrade your current STEVENS Forma bike, which could be up to 10 years old, and you would instead prefer a completely new STEVENS bike, please contact your STEVENS retailer.

Thank you for your help and we would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Best regards,
STEVENS Vertriebs GmbH