Trek Recalls Domane+ and Checkpoint+ E-Bikes, Rad Power Bikes files Chapter 11, Skarper & Sonder Team Up | TWR Ep 62

This new recall affects Domane+ ALR 5, Domane+ ALR 6 AXS, Checkpoint+ SL 6, and Checkpoint+ SL7 e-bikes with 2026 model years only. The affected bikes were sold in the US from July through September of this year and were priced between $5,000-8,000.

The reason for the recall centers around loose chainring bolts, which could present a crash hazard if they come off while riding. As of the writing of this article, three incidents have been reported, but no injuries have been caused.

If you have one of the affected bikes, Trek’s announcement advises that you stop riding it immediately. You can schedule a free repair at your nearest Trek dealer, where technicians will tighten the bolts to the appropriate specification. Trek will also provide you with $20 of in-store credit towards Trek or Trek-owned merchandise, which is valid through 2026.

Our Take:
Overall, this is a relatively small number of bikes when compared with Trek’s recent recall of 26,000 kids bikes. The fix for this current issue is extremely easy—we’re glad no one has been hurt and that Trek caught the problem relatively early.

In recent weeks, Rad Power Bikes announced that it may close in January of 2026 if it did not receive additional funding. Some of its older batteries were also deemed potentially unsafe by the CPSC, though Rad disputed that claim. The company did not agree to a recall because the required costs would immediately put it out of business.

Last Monday, a spokesperson from Rad made a statement saying, “As we work to secure a sustainable future for the Rad brand, Rad has filed for Chapter 11 protection as part of a process to complete a sale of the company within the next 45-60 days.This step allows us to keep operating in the ordinary course of business while we pursue the best possible outcome for the people who rely on Rad every day. Our goal is to keep the company intact and preserve the relationships we have built with riders, vendors, suppliers, and partners. We are not giving up.”

According to Bicycle Retailer, the bankruptcy filing lists Rad’s estimated liabilities at $72.8 million. Its estimated assets are valued at $32.1 million, including its remaining inventory estimated at approximately $14.2 million. The company owes over $8 million to US Customs and nearly another $8 million (7.99) to manufacturing companies in Asia.

Our Take:
The information revealed by the bankruptcy filing is proof of the impact of tariffs; a significant portion of the company’s debt is due to import taxes.

We’re unsure if the brand’s statement means that Rad has a buyer lined up or if it’s simply a step intended to make a buyout more appealing. Either way, we’re still rooting for Rad Power Bikes to pull through. The iconic company makes excellent e-bikes, and we hope to see it bounce back after it finds funding.

While Sonder is a UK-based maker of analog and electric gravel bikes, Skarper manufactures all-in-one conversion kits that are compatible with nearly all bikes with 26-29” wheels and disc brakes. Skarper’s device includes a combined motor and battery in a single unity that attaches to a non-electric bike’s chainstay (the non-drive side).

The Skarper kit weighs 4.5 kg (9.9 lbs) and includes a motor with 76 Nm of torque. Its internal 240 Wh battery is rated for up to 50 km (31 miles) of range. The unit has a maximum motor-assisted speed of 20 km/h (15.5 mph).

Skarper and Sonder have partnered to offer build kits for three of Sonder’s Camino Gravel bikes, including the Apex 1 Flat Bar, and the aluminum and titanium versions of the GRX1. When paired with the Skarper, the bikes are priced at £2,649, £2,999, and £4,249, respectively.

Sonder offers an electric version of the Camino called the El-Camino, which features an integrated KMC motor and 250 Wh battery. In contrast to this option, the conversion kit allows riders to remove the motor and battery to have a lighter-weight analog bike.

The CEO of Skarper, Ean Brown, made a statement about the partnership, saying “Riders want freedom and flexibility, not a second heavy bike. With Sonder we bring click-on power to award-winning frames through a partnership celebrating British design and innovation. The result is one bike covers the city and the wild, with no compromises on ride feel. For the Skarper brand, this is an exciting step forward as we develop new partnerships that bring to life a new use case for our product…”

An installation showcasing the partnership is already in place in London’s Selfridges store.
Current Sonder owners can buy Skarper add-ons at Alpkit stores in Edinburgh, Hathersage, Bristol, Kingston, and Ilkley.

Our Take:
Skarper is one of the more promising conversion kits we’ve seen. The company’s partnership with Sonder seems like a good move for both brands; it boosts Skarper’s distribution while offering versatility to those who might not want to go all-in on a full electric gravel bike.

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• Why do riders enjoy the stretched-out arm positioning of many folding e-bikes?
• Would the Aventon Aventure M, Ride1Up Vorsa, or Priority Skyline be better for a rider tackling greenways, paved paths, and unpaved trails?
• Why do Griffin and John sit so far apart during the filming of our weekly show?
• Which came first, hub motors or mid-drives?
• How reliable are different types of motors over years of use?