Problems with SRAM’s New 7-speed Clickbox

AMERSFOORT, The Netherlands - SRAM is faced with problems with the new Clickbox for its 7-speed hub gears. The new component was recently introduced for modelyear 2002. With the start of the production in Ireland defective clickboxes have been produced. The defect makes it impossible to shift from one gear to another. According to SRAM Europe MD Martin van Beek, the problems were already noticed in January after which SRAM immediately informed its customers. "Due to the fact that we can not trace back the production runs of the faullty clickboxes, we are now checking for problems at OEM's and dealers for which we have also called upon our distributors. Next to that, already defective clickboxes have been replaced." The total number of defective 7-speed clickboxes is limited. Martin van Beek explains that the failure rate is established at 10 to 20% within a production number of several thousands. "This means that the total number of the faulty component amounts up to a couple of hundreds. Of this number 80% is already replaced. All our customers have been informed and received a schedule for the replacement of the faulty clickbox. Next to that I want to emphasize that the defect do not cause any problems with regard to safety what so ever." (JO)