About the Recalled Bicycles
The recall covers the following Van Rysel GRVL AF models, available in sizes XS through XL, identified by the Van Rysel Product ID beginning with “5” on the barcode sticker near the bottom bracket:
- Model 8911304 — Sword Brown CN FR (REI name: Coriander Brown); Product IDs 5327219–5327223
- Model 8911305 — Apex Beige CN FR (REI name: Cream Beige); Product IDs 5327224–5327228
- Model 8911308 — Sword Pink CN FR (REI name: Granite Pink); Product IDs 5327239–5327243
- Model 8929130 — GRX Black (REI name: Graphite Black); Product IDs 5476620–5476624
Latest Updates
The CPSC issued Recall #27-017 on October 8, 2026, as a Fast Track recall, warning that the front lock nut can loosen over time during normal use and cause the front wheel to dislodge — creating a crash hazard capable of causing serious injury or death [1]. Decathlon America reported no incidents or injuries before the recall was announced, and the Fast Track designation reflects the company’s cooperation with the recall process and its agreement to provide free inspection and repair to all affected owners [2]. Owners should stop riding immediately and bring their bike to the nearest REI Co-op for a free inspection and repair of the front fork assembly [3].
A Loosening Front Wheel on a Moving Bicycle
The front wheel is the primary steering and braking contact point on any bicycle — a loose or dislodged front wheel does not give a rider any opportunity to correct course before a crash occurs. The defect identified here is particularly dangerous because it develops progressively during normal use, meaning a rider may have no visible warning before the lock nut loosens to the point of wheel detachment.
The Van Rysel GRVL AF is designed for gravel riding, road cycling, commuting, and bikepacking — uses that routinely involve variable terrain, higher speeds on descents, and riding conditions where a sudden loss of front wheel control carries severe injury potential.
Gravel Riding Conditions Amplify the Risk
Gravel bicycles are built for mixed-surface riding — transitions between pavement, dirt, gravel, and trail — where the front fork absorbs irregular impacts and lateral forces that place continuous stress on the fork assembly and its fasteners. A lock nut designed to remain secure under those conditions but prone to progressive loosening during normal use creates a hazard that is specifically aggravated by the type of riding the Van Rysel GRVL AF is marketed and sold to perform.
Riders using these bikes for bikepacking or multi-day routes may be far from service facilities when a front wheel failure occurs, compounding both the injury risk and the difficulty of accessing the recall remedy.
REI-Exclusive Distribution Limits Direct Recall Notification
All 1,150 recalled Van Rysel GRVL AF bicycles were sold through REI Co-op — a single retail channel — between March 2025 and August 2026. REI’s membership model gives the company stronger-than-average ability to reach affected purchasers directly, but buyers who purchased through REI.com and have since changed contact information, or who received the bike as a gift, may not receive direct notice of the recall.
At prices ranging from $1,400 to $2,300, these are premium bicycles whose owners may have invested significantly in accessories and components specific to the bike — a defect requiring professional repair rather than a simple consumer fix adds friction to the remedy process for riders who have integrated the bike into regular use.
Reported Injuries
Decathlon America reported no incidents or injuries to the CPSC in connection with the recalled Van Rysel GRVL AF bicycles prior to the October 8, 2026 recall announcement. Given that the defect develops progressively during normal use, crashes that have already occurred may not have been connected to a front lock nut failure by the rider or attending medical personnel.
Can I File a Lawsuit?
If you were injured in a crash caused by a loose or dislodged front wheel on a Van Rysel GRVL AF bicycle bearing one of the recalled Product IDs, you may have a product liability claim against Decathlon America LLC. Contact an attorney promptly, as state filing deadlines apply.
What to Do Now
Stop riding the recalled Van Rysel GRVL AF immediately. Bring the bike to the nearest REI Co-op for a free inspection and repair of the front fork assembly — or, if you cannot visit REI, contact Decathlon America at 415-408-5494 (Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. PT), by email at support.america@decathlon.com, or online at decathlon.com/pages/product-safety-recalls.
References
1. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2027/Decathlon-America-Recalls-Van-Rysel-GRVL-AF-Bicycles-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-or-Death-from-Crash-Hazard
2. https://cyclingweekly.com/news/van-rysel-grvl-af-bike-recalled-in-us-due-to-faulty-front-wheel-lock
3. https://bicycleretailer.com/recalls/2026/10/08/decathlon-america-recalls-about-1-150-van-rysel-gravel-bikes-over-front-wheel