--- title: "Your New Bike or Bike Shop May Be to Blame for a Crash" description: "Big box stores routinely fail to properly assemble bikes. Improper torque on stems, bolts, or fasteners can cause sudden, catastrophic component failure." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "LegalService", "@id": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/#organization", "name": "Colorado Brain Injury & Bike Crash Attorneys | Bike Brain Law", "description": "Colorado brain injury and cycling accident attorneys serving Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins and statewide. Specialized TBI representation. Free consultation. Call 303.831.1116.", "url": "https://bikebrainlaw.com", "image": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/og-image.png" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "@id": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/blog/new-bike-store-may-be-to-blame-for-crash#blogposting", "isPartOf": { "@type": "Blog", "@id": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/blog#blog", "name": "Bike Brain Law Blog" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/blog/new-bike-store-may-be-to-blame-for-crash" }, "url": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/blog/new-bike-store-may-be-to-blame-for-crash", "headline": "Your New Bike and Store of Purchase May Be to Blame for Your Crash", "name": "Your New Bike and Store of Purchase May Be to Blame for Your Crash", "description": "Big box stores routinely fail to properly assemble bikes. Improper torque on stems, bolts, or fasteners can cause sudden, catastrophic component failure.", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/blog/new-bike-store-may-be-to-blame-for-crash#primaryimage", "url": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/images/content/img_1790.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/images/content/img_1790.jpg", "caption": "Cyclist on a Colorado road", "description": "Cyclist on a Colorado road", "representativeOfPage": true }, "primaryImageOfPage": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/blog/new-bike-store-may-be-to-blame-for-crash#primaryimage", "url": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/images/content/img_1790.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/images/content/img_1790.jpg", "caption": "Cyclist on a Colorado road", "description": "Cyclist on a Colorado road", "representativeOfPage": true }, "thumbnailUrl": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/images/content/img_1790.jpg", "datePublished": "2025-12-10T15:00:00.000Z", "dateModified": "2025-12-10T15:00:00.000Z", "inLanguage": "en-US", "articleSection": "Bike Injury", "keywords": "Bike Injury, Colorado, personal injury, TBI, cycling accident", "timeRequired": "PT2M", "articleBody": "We've unfortunately seen this happen before. Someone buys a new bike to exercise or commute. They visit a Big Box Store, find a bike they love, and trust the store sells safe bicycles. The customer buys the bike and is excited about the fun the new bike will bring. Instead of fun, the first bike ride takes a tragic turn when the bike rider suddenly loses control and crashes. The bicycle and rider hit the pavement. The bike rider suffers more than a bruised ego, and suffers serious injuries from cuts, broken bones, to a brain injury. The bike rider, bloodied and battered, wonders if the crash was their fault. It may not be poor bike riding skills that caused the cyclist to crash, but improper assembly of the bicycle by Big Box Store. Bicycles are complex machines that must be assembled according to the manufacturer's specifications to be safely ridden. Almost all the components on a bicycle must be installed to the proper tightness, known as the specified torque value. If a fastener is under-tightened, the part may loosen. If over-tightened, the part may stretch, deform, strip threads, lose structural integrity, crack, or break, and that damage may not be visible. Common bike parts with fasteners or that require tightening include the handlebar stem and headset, gear shifters/brake levers (hoods), brake calipers, brake disc rotors, seat and seat post, crank arms and spindle, pedals, drivetrain and derailleurs, and wheel centerlocks and thru axle or quick release skewer. If any of these components loosen, break, detach, or malfunction while riding, the rider could lose control, fall, and crash. In one example, a Big Box Store assembled the bicycle but did not correctly tighten the bolts for the handlebar stem and headset, causing the handlebar to unexpectedly loosen during the ride. The store failed to properly train and supervise its employees to correctly assemble and inspect bicycles sold in its store. There are industry and manufacturer standards designed to protect against the sale of dangerous bicycles. The store may have even failed to follow it's own standard operating procedure for the assembly, inspection, and sale of the bicycle. Despite these known dangers, some stores put profits over safety putting the public at serious risk for injury or death. If you or someone you know has been injured in a bicycle crash involving a new bike and you suspect a part failed, such as a pedal falling off, seat failing, or wheel or handlebars detached, and you have questions about whether the store where the bicycle was purchased may be responsible, please contact us for a free consultation.", "commentCount": 0, "additionalProperty": [ { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "readingTime", "value": "2 min read", "unitText": "minutes", "unitCode": "MIN" }, { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "wordCount", "unitText": "words" }, { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "characterCount", "value": 2630, "unitText": "characters" }, { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "headingCount", "value": 0 }, { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "paragraphCount", "value": 8 }, { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "listCount", "value": 0 } ], "author": { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/#dan-dangelo", "name": "Attorney Dan D'Angelo", "jobTitle": "Trial Lawyer · Brain Injury Advocate · Avid Cyclist", "description": "Attorney Dan D'Angelo founded D'Angelo Law Office, P.C. in 2009 and Bike Brain Law to focus exclusively on traumatic brain injury and cycling injury cases in Colorado. An avid cyclist himself, Dan combines deep TBI science knowledge with hands-on cycling experience to build winning cases against insurance companies and corporations that put profits over safety.", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/images/content/20231015_dangelo_dan_square_076.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/images/content/20231015_dangelo_dan_square_076.jpg", "caption": "Attorney Dan D'Angelo" }, "url": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/#about", "worksFor": { "@id": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/#organization" } }, "publisher": { "@id": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/#organization" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://bikebrainlaw.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Blog", "item": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/blog" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Your New Bike and Store of Purchase May Be to Blame for Your", "item": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/blog/new-bike-store-may-be-to-blame-for-crash" } ] } ] --- [![Bike Brain Law](/assets/logo-white-CuISKEAM.webp)](/)[303.831.1116](tel:3038311116) Practice Areas Practice Areas - [Brain Injury Focused brain injury representation backed by science, trial experience, and real results. ](/practice-areas/traumatic-brain-injury) - [Cycling Accidents An avid cyclist who fights for injured riders across Colorado. ](/practice-areas/cycling-accidents) - [Bicycle Product Liability Holding manufacturers accountable when defective bike parts cause injuries. ](/practice-areas/bicycle-product-liability) Resources - [Insights & Guides ](/blog) - [Case Results ](/results) - Our Process - FAQs Service Areas - [Denver](/service-areas/denver) - [Boulder](/service-areas/boulder) - [Fort Collins](/service-areas/fort-collins) - [Golden](/service-areas/golden) - [Colorado Springs](/service-areas/colorado-springs) - [Aurora](/service-areas/aurora) Featured [ ![Attorney Dan D'Angelo](/assets/dan-dangelo-headshot-DJ4GY3yR.jpg) Meet Attorney Dan D'Angelo Trial lawyer, trusted brain injury advocate, avid cyclist. Learn more ](/) Free consultation · No fee unless we win. Talk to Dan AboutTestimonials[Results](/results)FAQsContact[Insights & Guides](/blog)Free Consultation [](tel:3038311116) [All articles](/blog) [Bike Injury](/blog/bike-injury)· December 10, 2025· 2 min read # Your New Bike and Store of Purchase May Be to Blame for Your Crash Big box stores routinely fail to properly assemble bikes. Improper torque on stems, bolts, or fasteners can cause sudden, catastrophic component failure. ![Dan D'Angelo](/images/content/20231015_dangelo_dan_square_076.jpg) By Attorney Dan D'Angelo Trial Lawyer · Brain Injury Advocate · Avid Cyclist ![Cyclist on a Colorado road](/images/content/img_1790.jpg) We've unfortunately seen this happen before. Someone buys a new bike to exercise or commute. They visit a Big Box Store, find a bike they love, and trust the store sells safe bicycles. The customer buys the bike and is excited about the fun the new bike will bring. Instead of fun, the first bike ride takes a tragic turn when the bike rider suddenly loses control and crashes. The bicycle and rider hit the pavement. The bike rider suffers more than a bruised ego, and suffers serious injuries from cuts, broken bones, to a brain injury. The bike rider, bloodied and battered, wonders if the crash was their fault. It may not be poor bike riding skills that caused the cyclist to crash, but improper assembly of the bicycle by Big Box Store. Related from Bike Brain Law - [Cycling Accident Claims Representing Colorado cyclists hit by negligent drivers. ](/#practice-areas) - [Bike Crash FAQs Common questions after a cycling collision in Colorado. ](/#faqs) - [Why Choose Bike Brain Law An attorney who rides and knows TBI science. ](/#about) Free, confidential case review ### Injured in a cycling crash in Colorado? Talk directly with Attorney Dan D'Angelo for a free consultation with zero obligation to find out where you stand. [Get My Free Consultation](/#contact) [303.831.1116](tel:3038311116) Bicycles are complex machines that must be assembled according to the manufacturer's specifications to be safely ridden. Almost all the components on a bicycle must be installed to the proper tightness, known as the specified torque value. If a fastener is under-tightened, the part may loosen. If over-tightened, the part may stretch, deform, strip threads, lose structural integrity, crack, or break, and that damage may not be visible. Common bike parts with fasteners or that require tightening include the handlebar stem and headset, gear shifters/brake levers (hoods), brake calipers, brake disc rotors, seat and seat post, crank arms and spindle, pedals, drivetrain and derailleurs, and wheel centerlocks and thru axle or quick release skewer. If any of these components loosen, break, detach, or malfunction while riding, the rider could lose control, fall, and crash. In one example, a Big Box Store assembled the bicycle but did not correctly tighten the bolts for the handlebar stem and headset, causing the handlebar to unexpectedly loosen during the ride. The store failed to properly train and supervise its employees to correctly assemble and inspect bicycles sold in its store. There are industry and manufacturer standards designed to protect against the sale of dangerous bicycles. The store may have even failed to follow it's own standard operating procedure for the assembly, inspection, and sale of the bicycle. Despite these known dangers, some stores put profits over safety putting the public at serious risk for injury or death. If you or someone you know has been injured in a bicycle crash involving a new bike and you suspect a part failed, such as a pedal falling off, seat failing, or wheel or handlebars detached, and you have questions about whether the store where the bicycle was purchased may be responsible, please contact us for a free consultation. ## Have a question about your case? Attorney Dan D'Angelo offers free consultations for brain injury and cycling accident victims throughout Colorado. [Free Consultation](/#contact) [303.831.1116](tel:3038311116) ![Dan D'Angelo](/images/content/20231015_dangelo_dan_square_076.jpg) About the Author ### Attorney Dan D'Angelo Trial Lawyer · Brain Injury Advocate · Avid Cyclist Attorney Dan D'Angelo founded D'Angelo Law Office, P.C. in 2009 and Bike Brain Law to focus exclusively on traumatic brain injury and cycling injury cases in Colorado. An avid cyclist himself, Dan combines deep TBI science knowledge with hands-on cycling experience to build winning cases against insurance companies and corporations that put profits over safety. - Practicing Colorado personal injury attorney since 2009 - Focused practice in TBI and bicycle injury litigation - Multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for injury victims - Avid road and commuter cyclist ## Related articles [ ![Attorney Dan D'Angelo of Bike Brain Law](/images/content/20231015_dangelo_dan_039.jpg) #### How Much Does a Denver Bike Accident Lawyer Charge on Contingency? ](/blog/how-much-does-a-denver-bike-accident-lawyer-charge-contingency)[ ![Dan D'Angelo of Bike Brain Law on his bike in Denver](/images/content/dan-on-spyder-bike.jpg) #### Can a Denver Bike Accident Attorney Negotiate With Insurers and Take My Case to Trial? ](/blog/denver-bike-accident-attorney-negotiate-insurers-trial)[ ![Cyclist riding in a designated bike lane in Denver](/images/content/img_1005.jpg) #### How Does Colorado's Comparative Negligence Rule Affect a Bicycle Accident Claim? ](/blog/colorado-comparative-negligence-bicycle-accident-claims) [![Bike Brain Law](/assets/logo-white-CuISKEAM.webp)](/) Colorado's dedicated brain injury and cycling accident attorney. 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