SRAM sent us a communique at the end of the week that we thought we should pass along since it included the phrase “failure that might result in an ejection of all the wheel’s spokes.” Yeah, that would be bad. Obviously this hasn’t happened on the majority of the 88 hubs since they made about 12,000 of them in this version, but with 2 reported failures, the danger is high enough to urge caution and get them replaced ASAP. Affected wheelsets came OEM on several high-end Cannondale, Felt, Giant, Orbea, and Specialized bikes from 2009-2011, as well as just about all of their high-end front wheels sold from October 2008 – December 2010.
The root of this recall is spoke retention, a concern only with first generation front hubs. Specifically, the first generation 88 hubs could incur retaining ring failure that might result in an ejection of all the wheel’s spokes. This may result in wheel failure.
Anyway Zipp parent SRAM has initiated a recall through the CPSC and you can find more info there. SRAM wants to get all affected owners back out on safe wheels quickly, so local SRAM or Zipp dealers should be able to quickly start the warranty process and in most cases rebuild the affected wheel with the newer, redesigned hub. Come past the break for a simple look at how to tell if your wheels are affected.
Affected hubs on the left, unaffected on the right. The simplest way to spot it is whether of not there is a Zipp Z logo etched onto the flange covering the end of the hub, as this was unique to the first generation 88s. If you are unsure, your IBD should be able to help.
From the CPSC website:
The aluminum hub shell is silver. The outside flange ring is gray aluminum in the standard option and blue, gold, gray, pink or red in the ZedTech options. The diameter of the two clinch nuts is approximately 1 inch. The first version of the 88 hub is the only one affected by the recall. The first version has the Z logo on the flange ring. The other versions – not affected by this recall – do not have the Z logo on the flange ring.
