LvH Bullitt Satori Easy Up Replacement

Some of the Easy-Up stem lifters, that allow the rider to quickly adjust the handlebar height, are to be replaced with updated versions. There is concern about the robustness of some of the Easy Up stems, so we are replacing them with a sturdier version.

If you purchased a Bullitt imported by Splendid Cycles between July of 2021 and October 2021 your bike may be affected. This page will walk you through, 1) how to know if your bike has the recalled part, 2) how to make sure you are safe to continue riding, and 3) how to get a replacement part if your bike has the recalled Easy up.

1. How to know if your Easy Up needs to be replaced

There is an easy way to tell whether an Easy-Up is affected by this notice. Please take a look at the diagram, the one with three Easy-Ups pictured.

If the Easy-Up looks like the one on the far left, meaning it does NOT have a round pin (see Easy Up Parts photo) where the green circle is, then it does not need to be replaced.

If the Easy-Up looks like the one in the middle, and DOES have a small round pin where the red circle is, the Easy-Up needs to be replaced. The customer should be advised to securely tighten the Easy-Up, following the directions below (which are repeated in the Customer Notice we have enclosed).

The photo on the right is for future reference. It shows what the replacement Easy-Ups will look like. They will still have the small round pin at the same place as the picture in the middle, but they will have a new Up/Down arrow graphic (circled in green) that the other Easy-Ups don’t have. (If a customer has one of these, they do not need a new one.)

2. How to make sure you are safe to continue riding

As a precaution, Larry V Harry is advising Bullitt owners to make sure that the lever arm of the Easy-Up is securely tightened before they ride their BULLITTS, which is something that should be done anyway. Because this is a piece that is designed to be tightened by hand, we are not providing torque numbers, but are advising as follows:

We understand that it’s hard to say exactly what “very securely tightened” means. To us it means that it takes some real effort to fully close the quick-release lever arm. The quick release ("QR") lever on the SATORI EasyUp stem lifter needs to be closed w/ a considerable amount of force & fully closed so that it will hold the height adjustment that it is set at. If it is not fully closed & closed w/ sufficient force, there is a chance the handlebars may slip down while riding.

If you find it is very easy to close the QR lever you need to add more preload tension to the lever. Here’s how:

• Fully opening the QR so that it is loose / floppy.

• Then move to the silver round tension nut on the back of the QR. The silver round nut has knurled ridges (raised "stripes") on it. Tighten it 1/2 turn clockwise & then close the QR lever.

• If you can still close it easily, repeat by adding another 1/2 turn of preload.

• Repeat as necessary until it becomes too difficult to fully close the QR w/ the lever fully bottomed out on the collar. If you cannot fully close the QR lever, open it back up & remove a small amount of preload by unscrewing the silver round tension nut counterclockwise by a 1/2 turn .

Following that process - tightening until it’s too tight to close, then backing off a bit, will assure that the QR is as tight as possible, and therefore safe and secure.

To aid in closing the QR lever when it is very tight, try standing on the drivetrain (right) side of your Bullitt and using your left hand, position your four fingers on the smaller diameter riser shaft (has the height measurements laser engraved into it) above the QR collar & below the handlebar stem with your thumb pointing up. Now, gripping the riser shaft w/ your fingers, use the heel of your palm to push the QR all the way closed until it bottoms out on the collar. Holding the right grip of your handlebar w/ your right hand while you do this will help you get more leverage.

You should never experience the handlebars slipping down if the QR lever is securely closed.

This should be checked often. Add a bit of preload as necessary.

How to get a replacement part

If you think your bike’s Easy Up is affected, do as directed above and always check that the QR lever is tight before riding. Then,

1. Take a photo of your stem so that your dealer can see the identifying makes (pin hole and labeling). When you take your photo, please be sure the stem is in focus and shows the area where the red circle is in image B of the diagram above. We’ll need to see that along with the markings below it so the more your photo looks like those in the diagram, the more useful it will be.

2. Contact the dealer who sold you the bike. They are there to help you replace the stem when parts become available. Make sure they have your bike’s serial number handy, then follow instructions they provide to get a replacement Easy Up.

3. If you purchased your bike directly from Splendid Cycles we’ll be working with you to get you a new Easy Up. Send us a photo of your stem (email a good photo to barb@splendidcycles.com). We have your serial number on file so just a photo and the name on your receipt works fine. We may have already notified you of the recall but getting visual confirmation will help us a ton. Once replacement stems are in stock, we will contact you to arrange installation - either with us or your local bike shop.

RE: INSTALLATION - If Splendid Cycles has sent you a stem for replacement, we strongly recommend having it installed by a professional mechanic. This is not an intuitive repair. If you don’t have experience (at home or professionally) installing Easy Ups on Bullitts it is possible to do it wrong. Please have your mechanic contact us if they have ANY questions about installation.