Bikes Fail Safety Test: Two mountain bikes...

Bikes Fail Safety Test: Two mountain bikes sold by leading U.S. manufacturers failed to pass a safety test conducted by Consumer Reports magazine.

Huffy Corp.’s Huffy Blades and Murray Ohio Manufacturing Co.’s Murray Eagle River bikes were deemed unacceptable by the magazine because they did not stop quickly enough with their wheels wet during panic-stop tests. The top-rated mountain bike, Intrepid Corp.’s Trek 820, stopped within 13 feet, whereas Huffy’s bike took 62 feet to stop and Murray’s took 74 feet.

Both bikes, which cost between $130 and $150, also had less responsive brakes and more problematic front and rear gears than other mountain bikes tested, the magazine said. Consumer Reports tested 19 mountain bikes.

Huffy said all of its bikes “meet or exceed all federal safety standards,” but it added that it will investigate the allegations.