Potential frame break and severe injuries: E-bikes recalled, customers are angry

We've already reported on multiple e-bike recalls, and now Cowboy has officially recalled some electric bicycles as well, and for quite serious reasons. Specifically, the Cowboy C4 ST e-bike with the Edition MR frame might break due to an apparent manufacturing defect. This seems to be a general problem, as the defect isn't just limited to certain batches, as is often the case. It affects all sold units of this particular e-bike.

According to the manufacturer, the weld seam between the head and down tube is affected and could suffer from a fatigue break after riding the bike for roughly 1,500 miles. The potential consequences of such a failure are quite dramatic. While riding at higher speeds, it could be nearly impossible to prevent a crash and fall, resulting in a significant risk of injury. Therefore, owners should no longer use the Cowboy C4 ST Edition MR, regardless of their mileage.

Cowboy doesn't seem to have the capacity to immediately replace all recalled e-bikes. They're starting with e-bikes that have already exceeded 1,550 miles, and the frame replacement for all affected bikes is expected to be completed this year. This puts owners in a bad situation, which is evidenced by some critical posts on Reddit. For instance, a user named Tommyteddy has posted a picture of an apparently damaged frame, which shows a visible crack that’s already starting to form.