Is Your Shimano Chain A Counterfeit?
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
- In this video I run through the differences, and how to detect a counterfeit Shimano chain from a genuine one. A customer brought a couple of chains to be installed during a routine tune up. The chains had been purchased on Amazon. The difference in performance and most likely durability are quite vast between the real thing and a really good deal!
Wow I would have never guessed there were counterfeit chains. Thanks for raising awareness.
You're welcome! Thanks for commenting!
There isn't
@@raylaux8295 I beg to differ…,
@@raylaux8295 There's counterfeit versions of everything Shimano makes. I know from personal experience 😕
Yeah, not sure why anyone would push back against there being counterfeit chains. If you can make a chain for much less and brand it as one of the best chains, you’re making way more than selling a cheap chain without brand backing. Happens in just about any market that’s big enough
In Japan, we have the Shimano ACP app. We can use it to scan the unique QR code on the Shimano packaging and it tells us if it is authentic or fake. I guess Shimano will start to offer this service outside of Japan sooner or later.
@@ultimatepu5h not on individual boxes… each box is different.
Well i hope so
@@ultimatepu5h maybe if multiple people scan the same code, they respond with a warning.
@@testalino Yes, if it's been scanned three times, it'll become useless to scan.
They claim they have it on their home page - but it's not there...
The last Amazon fake Shimano chain I bought had three tells: preprinted checkmark on outside of box, master link in with the chain, and no grease on the chain. It went back with a counterfeit warning in my review. If I’m buying a name brand part, I always get it from a bike shop and not on eBay or Amazon.
Nice! Thanks for taking the time to comment!
As a manufacturer that sold on Amazon, I can attest too that Amazon refuses to enforce any counterfeit policy they may purport to have.
Amazon doesn't care at all.. they probably have deleted or shadow banned your comment.
@@jonathantaylor6926 They did delete the review. I went back to see what I wrote, and it was gone. One other review saying the chain was counterfeit was just posted. We'll see if they delete that too.
@@RobertAdairWorkshop They will. Amazon is a scam company with no morals.
My new personal policy is to buy anything Shimano from bike-specific online retailers or local bike shops. I bought some SPD cleats recently from Amazon that fell apart in no time - a potential safety issue if your cleats get stuck in the pedal😳
Very true!
Yep, totally true. Had to try one off eBay cause half the price! I was skeptical but thought just maybe I’ve discovered a hidden gem. Nope, never felt right even started to kind of rust/tarnish. I hung it on wall as a reminder, never again! 😅
Thank you so much for this video. I couldn't figure out why my last two DA chains both reached 0.5 in less than 700km. I even bought an expensive digital vernier to check wear on my cassette and chainrings. After watching your video, I checked the last unused chain I have still in its packaging. Everything is just like you have shown - quick link in same bag, no difference ito cutouts on front and back plates etc. - definitely fake. The sad part is I bought these chains about a year ago from a local bikeshop when stock was hard to come by. I will have to go and speak to the owner. I'm pretty sure he also got suckered. This whole palava has cost me a lot of time and money. Thanks to you I understand now what is going on.
Dang! Sorry to hear, but thanks for sharing. Hopefully you can get reimbursed or something!
Some good news. The bikeshop replaced my fake chains with new genuine Shimano DA chains.
@@jacofouche4025so he knew he got had
Thanks for pointing out the differences. Difficult to spot for us amateurs.
Happy to help! I appreciate you taking the time to leave feedback!
Fell victim to a fake chain recently and it wore through in the space of a month. Luckily I caught it before any major wear to cassette and chainrings
Bought a Shimano chain off of Amazon last summer. It was definitely fake. I couldnt get the chain to work on my bike. took the entire bike to my LBS and he couldnt get the chain to work either. Swapped in a real Shimano chain and it worked like a champ. Dont waste your money trying to save a few bucks.
Yep! Agree 100%
Didn't even think there is fake Shimano chain and I got one 🤦🏻 thank you for pointing out all the differences, this video is amazing
You're welcome! Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback!
Thanks for the info! "Not reusable" in Chinese "不可重新使用" on genuine Shimano which is correct. "不可重复使用" on the counterfeit, means more like "No repeat use" and is commonly used, they corrected it kindly.
Too funny
Nice! Thanks for your feedback!
So, based on this information the chain I bought in March 2022 on Amazon Germany seems to be authentic. If I remember correctly, the quick link was packaged separately. Lucky me. 🙂
@@tobiasabt8398 Yes, real Shimano chains package their quick-links separately and have an actual notch.
Would have never known that I had a fake 12 speed XT chain if it weren’t for this video. Thank you for the info 👍🏾
You're welcome! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!
Absolutely right! The chain started jumping off the jockey wheel! Never seen such a thing! Returned it. Now, with your explanation start to make sense.
Take a step back and ask how this happened?
Shimano has done a great job of marketing affordable cycling products. People start using entry level Shimano gear, which builds brand loyalty and hence demand for Shimano branded product.
But then Shimano declines to sell to legitimate retailers, so those retailers obtain their stock through third parties who may or may not have legitimately sourced stock.
Shimano used to restrict supply to only large "bricks and mortar" shops to support the mainstream bicycle industry, but three things work against them.
Firstly, the bike industry grew online, so there are legitimate retailers that Shimano chooses to not supply.
Second, Shimano itself is having trouble supplying enough product to meet demand.
Third: China. Policing of IP in China is, er, lax. It's a large market for its own producers, so factories can make their own cycling products for their own market. But of course they sell better and for more if they are "name branded". So they are. And whadayaknow, there is unmet international demand for those products, so here we are.
What can you do?
Firstly, avoid Amazon. Completely. Amazon doesn't care if the product is genuine or not. Their competitor, eBay does (disclosure: I sell on eBay, and have had several *legitimate* products knocked back, and also found I had sourced some counterfeit cleats).
So second: if you have to buy online, choose eBay or a real bike shop that you know is legit. Avoid sellers with names like "friendlymakehappy" or "bozo123". I have disclosed that I sell through eBay (I also sell on Bike Exchange and through my own bike shop site), and can tell you that eBay is really on the buyer's side. A seller can get away with an occasional customer issue, but if customer complaints stack up, meaning a couple in a month, then eBay starts downgrading that seller's standing.
This issue affects every name brand with a good reputation. Products produced in Western countries where IP law is enforced are much more likely to be genuine. That's North America, EU, Britain, Australia, NZ, and others.
Great to see this issue getting attention. If you have an issue with a product then do make the effort to report it. If the retailer doesn't resolve it then go further.
I bought an Ultegra CN HG-701 11 Speed Chain from eBay and it is highly suspicious. The quick link was in a zip-lock bag inside the sealed plastic packaging that contained the chain. The check mark on the lower right hand side of the box was printed rather than check marked in blue. The quick link itself looked pretty genuine with all the same marks as the real one. The top Adida's like Shimano boxes were blank white. I complained and got my money back. I can't afford a potentially deadly incident of having a chain break at high speed. I am buying from a local shop or respected retailer rather than Amazon or eBay. My life is too precious and my bike is too expensive to risk using a likely fake chain. Good luck selling your chains on eBay. Caveat Emptor or buyer beware. Also the eBay seller I bought from is still selling the chains.
Fake KMC too. From AliExpress. Subtle differences in packaging. Chain wear checker shows .75% wear out of the box. And missing that sticky KMC lube. Not usable. Thanks for the video.
You're welcome! Thanks for sharing!
holy shit. are there new 12 speed dura ace cassette knock offs? just bought one off amazon said it was from SHIMANO but shipped by some 3rd party
Hmm... It's possible! I've seen lots of fake rear derailleurs, mostly low end Shimano stuff, and chains. I think these companies prey off the short supply chain, no pun intended!
The part being shipped from a third party seller isn't a factor. You can find genuine parts from third parties easily. For example my genuine Shimano cassette came from a seller called "USA Bike Supply". My genuine KMC Chain came from Trail This.
Good info and actual comparisons to be seen. Though wouldn't you think that if there are actually good counterfeit chains on the market like that, that Shimano would be getting them removed and pressing charges against the company doing it ? As their reputation is on the line when it comes to the average Joe who would be buying such a product at a reasonable cost from the likes of Amazon and eBay.
Often companies will source different factories to produce thier products, are you sure that this just isn't the case of a poorer quality production and Shimano are actually aware of it being done, therefore not an actual counterfeit at all?
I got a fake Dura Ace Chain in 2021, this snapped in a break away try after 200km running it. The end was five days in hospital, surgery with broken bones and bruises. I can recommend to not save a single $/€ on this part.
Ouch! Thanks for sharing and hopefully folks can learn something from your tough lesson!
This is why I sometimes sternly warn customers cheaping out can injure or even kill themselves. Losing some money temporarily is better than losing your life. Money can be earned back anytime, but not your life.
Hate to burst your bubble but that's not a fake chain one was manufactured probably recent, other one is old stock probably manufactured around 2010. Or one is asain domestic and other is American market. Also they are cheap because bike shops mark up is atleast 60%
11 speed Shimano Ultegra chains have only been around since 2013 and have not changed design wise. The profit margin for bike shops is nowhere near a 60% mark up, at least not at the bike shop where I work. bike.shimano.com/en-EU/information/anti-counterfeit.html
@@JoeyMesa at my bike shop we have an app for ordering parts and it tells us what the price we pay for it. And if you were to look at msrp of those parts it's usually atleast double of what we get them for
Wow! What is this "app" for ordering parts at wholesale you speak of? I've worked in the bicycle industry for 40 years, and I've never seen anything other than suppliers and manufacturers who sell parts to bike shops.
If you actually have a shop and you can't tell the difference between a fake and a genuine chain, I wouldn't want you anywhere near my bike!
I just did a mini investigation on chains I have. I’d saved all the new extra links I popped off when installing a new chain, both 10sp (6701) and 11s (HG701). All the 11s were genuine and had the differently cut chamfers on the inside non engraved plate as depicted in the video. I should warn however, don’t use that as a comparison for a 10s Shimano chain. On all my 6701 chains, the non stamped plates had the a full chamfer on both pin humps, as well as an odd shape to the front of the plates. I think all the 10s were genuine and had never been bought from Amazon.
Shimano sources chains fro China. They are not counterfeit.
Do some research bud. Shimano has many different quality levels under their umbrella. Ultegra and Dura Ace level components are NOT made in China.
@@JoeyMesa The info is public knowledge Factories in China, Malaysia, Japan, Taiwan. China since 1992
Yes, it's true that Shimano components are manufactured in many different countries, hopefully you're also aware Shimano makes components ranging from OEM parts on department store bikes all the way up to the highest level of professional competition. Make sense so far? If Shimano were to make an Ultegra chain in China of lesser quality and sell it in a box marked "made in Japan", that would be fraud and highly misleading. The point of the video is not WHERE the chain is made, but that it is a fake copy of an actual Shimano chain and they're be sold and they are an inferior copy of the real thing. bike.shimano.com/en-EU/information/anti-counterfeit.html
@@johnmills837 Most Shimano XT items are made in Malaysia nowadays .
I had a situation last month where I had an 11 speed chain that did not fit. The chain width was too small, and there was chain sucking on the chainring. I was very confused. Thanks for the info! This was in Los Angeles by the way, and the chain was provided by KHS.
You also have what is called B stock which I've seen. And that stuff is definitely on eBay and Amazon. But I don't believe knock-off brands stop at chain you see more cranks failing bottom brackets Wheels breaking even frames cracking and breaking with low hours and supposedly name brands
Dude, we sure do appreciate this. Definitely gonna keep a better eye out now for these. Any Sram counterfeit chains??
Original sram is shit
Almost certainly. If you can print fake Shimano packaging and stick cheap chains in it, you can do SRAM too.
Buy from an authorized retailer.
Yep! It's only 10 bucks or so, but it makes all the difference!
A few years ago , I was not an authorised retailer of Shimano chains yet I sold genuine ones to help other cyclists during the COVID supply chain crisis .
I set up a bunch of bikes with the 8 speed knock offs before realising and I've handled plenty of genuine chains. They make the packaging look so legit.
Yes they do!
Go down in the Amazon ad a ways to the details and looking under manufacturer, you will see something other than Shimano. I've seen this in their Amazon selling knockoff tires etc.
Thanks for sharing!
I've had luck buying Shimano parts on E-Bay in the past (such as Ultegra pedals for $80). I purchased a couple of DA chains I saw last month for $20 each and took a quick look at the packaging and all looked good and put them in a drawer. Then I watched your video and took a look at the chains I bought compared to one ordered from Jenson's and it was immediately apparent what I bought were fakes: Master links were in the main bag with chain; chain not packed in oil like real product; burrs and machining marks on chain that Shimano QC wouldn't let through.
I'm prepared to eat the costs b/c I was stupid and greedy. But I did report this to e-Bay and left a warning review for seller. Just buy a $50 chain from a reputable seller. This chains last an amazingly long time with some care so trying to save a few bucks just seems pointless.
Thank you for bringing this to everyone's attention...
Thanks for sharing! I appreciate you taking the time to comment on the situation!
That's outrageous. Thank you for letting me know -- I checked my own newly arrived chain from Amazon and it matches your counterfeit chain description. Time for another return! Oh well. Now you've got me wondering how many other brand name items on Amazon are counterfeit also.
Just realized I got a counterfeit on amazon about a month ago. Put 500 miles on it and it's completely shot. Links are getting stiff which led to me inspect if further, and when I checked with my chain checker I was very surprised to see that it was already worn out. Thanks for this video.
shimano chain is very bad does not matter if fake or real. it last very short for the price. try connex wippermann or campagnolo record, both are much superior.
I was gonna say those boxes look like some kind of fishing equipment.. not good for a bike unless you plan on throwing it in a river.
I have Connex Wippermann but there are no importers where I am from .
I bought some chains off the internet . They worked OK with no problems for over a week. Then they showed their true nature, jumping and the links sticking. Looking at them I could see that the rollers, instead of having straight parallel sides it seems more trapezoid. Also the print on the plates was poor.
Yeah, I've seen a few various copies. Appearance wise, they seem to be getting a little more accurate, but they still perform like crap! I wonder how long they would last if someone just kept running one?
People don't feel comfortable to spend $$ on consumable parts even they are OK with absurdly high prices of some saddles or hubs (which are very simple mechanically). Chain is most complex mechanical component of road bike (to not mix up with belt drive commuters and tourers).
I see pretty much the same thing when it comes to what goes on their bikes v.s what goes onto them (apparel).
Them
Cheap bike components, pricey apparel (MAAP, Rapha, etc.)
Me
Affordable apparel (I only have one discounted MAAP jersey as I used to work at where this brand was sold), not-so-cheap but safe components
I only spend enough to the point it doesn't pose a safety risk to myself, my lower budget limit is relatively higher than others'. (doesn't mean I'm totally OK with ENVE and the like) Sometimes they don't even have a lower limit.
Same thing happened to me with a gold KMC chain. The only way I figured it out is when they lasted just a couple hundred miles on 2 different bikes.
Thank you! I had no idea that fake chains were even a thing.
You're welcome!
What does it cost to build a fake chain and fake chain factory?? Where does the money they make selling them go? I also can't believe it is a real thing, but more than likely it is. Especially since Shimano acknowledged the fakes on their own website.
I didn't find the video helpful. Hard to follow which chain you were referencing most of the time. The two things I think I understood is the authentic chains have the quick link packaged separately and they have a hand written check mark on the box. The rest of the video was clear as mud.
Thank you for sharing this - I've just renewed my drivetrain and have spent ages trying to get the rear mech aligned. Thought I'd see if there was a way to spot a fake chain and this was very helpful. Mine had the quicklink bundled with the chain but the cut-aways on the reverse were similar to the genuine one. Decided to split the chain to look at the inside and there it was, two flat plates with a minimum collar, no raised portion as you showed in the clip. Old chain back on for a bit while I try to find a genuine replacement. Unfortunately my local bike shop didn't stock so may need to wait whilst they order one in. Thanks again.
So you work at a bike shop and you feel the need to increase your sales, is that it? Shimano has factories in China fact. Any one of these can supply parts for any Shimano products, FACT.
Ok John, let's get our FACTS straight. Yes, I work in a bike shop, and have for 40 years. Working in the bike industry is not for somebody looking to get "rich", rather it's more a labor of love, as cycling is a hobby I've been into since I was a teenager - true fact!
Fact #2 - I didn't make this video to attempt to generate more sales in the shop where I work. The shop where I work has not been mentioned. I made this video to bring awareness to an issue I've seen on multiple occasions. I feel sorry for you in that you can't see the differences in the video and determine that there are people out there preying on unaware home mechanics and cycling enthusiasts looking to save money by doing it themselves. There's nothing wrong with people wanting to do their own bike maintenance, that's why I started this channel in the first place.
Fact #3 - Shimano has factories all over the world. Hopefully you realize they also manufacture bicycle components ranging from department store bikes all the way to Tour de France race bikes. The higher end components (Ultegra, Dura Ace, XT, and XTR) are exclusively made in Japan. Shimano will NOT sell an item manufactured in China, while the box says "Made in Japan". Does that make sense?
Fact #4 - It's not about where the part has been manufactured. In this case, The Shimano CN-HG701 chain has not changed in design or quality since it was first introduced. I have no idea where the counterfeit chain in my video was manufactured. The box says Japan, but it's fake just like the chain. I have no idea how you brought China into the mix...
@@JoeyMesa Shimano XT 8020 and 8120 pedals are manufactured in Malaysia .
Not only Amazon but eBay as well, and now basically everything has counterfeits, from group sets to wheels and frames. I usually skip parts that priced much lower than regular, some too good to be true. If a part that seems to be a good deal, I always ask the seller as much questions as possible like if it is taken from new bike, etc. Also look closely to the photos and compare to those regular priced from legit sellers/shops. Some individual sellers sell the counterfeit slightly cheaper than regular, those are the worse. I’ve once reached out to the manufacturer and send them photos of a set of carbon wheels that are half the priced, but with different decals. In the end the wheels are legit but not with normal retail decals, they were built for teams. Got a super great deal out of that, and also the confidence.
My buddy broke his Shimano chain that his mechanic friend bought from E bay. He was lucky he didn’t crash his bike. We ordered a new Shimano chain from authorized dealer and it works great! Cyclists be vary wary of these fake Shimano chains that can cause serious injury. I never skimp on bike chains, tires, and brakes! 🚴🏻♂️
Chain quick link is much harder to lock on real one than the fake one. Fake one could fall off.
Chain also smells different. Real one has stronger machine oil smell. The chain link separate bag. I could see immediate damage on joke wheels even with only 5 min on bike. One link was over pressed.
Fitted one in 2020 for a customer - fitted it - rattled horribly.
Closer look showed it to be fake.
I check anything from a customer now… surprising how many people are sucked in by getting Ahmad price chain on Amazon/EBay - please note people - Shimano and SRAM tend not to reduced chain prices.
Yep, I'm always a little suspicious when a customer brings a bag of parts they purchased online to have installed...
I've got 2 counterfit chains then (ebay), I'll return them.
Should have known really, the price was a bit too hard to believe.
I got one for a good price on halfords and I remember the quick link was in a separate bag, so it must have been real, halfords wouldn't sell counterfit stuff anyway I'd imagine.
I received an authentic looking chain today and was a bit suspicious that the chain in the bag wasn't packaged to such high quality and the quick-link was in the same bag as the chain itself. The box looked very convincing, with embossing and real silver stripes. But your video confirmed to me that I bought a fake. Luckily not installed. My package also had an "Shimano Authentic?" verification sticker on it, but only with a "Code" and not a QR-Code. I am outside of Japan, so the Shimano App is not available and it took me a while to confirm, that they always have a QR-Code and not some custom characters-code.
Maybe you're right, maybe not. You compared too few copies to confirm this. To draw such conclusions, an appropriately large sample would be needed. Let's say 10 real chains and 10 fake chains. You do not take into account the possibility that the design of these chains may have changed during production (I am even sure that chains from different years of production have a different design). To sum up, you need a lot of experience over many years to determine whether there are differences between chains.
Thank you in advance for the video and for understanding my point of view.
PS Please remember that all Shimano products are manufactured in China, so I'm a bit surprised by the differences between the alleged counterfeit product and the real one - I don't think there would be any difficulty in making exactly the same chain by a Chinese factory.
Very valuable video, much appreciated. After I bought a chain from eBay, it only lasted a few hundred km before my chain checker said it needed replacing. Took it apart and found the machining of the inner plates was not the same as the genuine model. Hopefully I caught it before any damage to my cassette/chainrings was caused, especially as I'd replaced them at the same time.
Thanks for sharing
Hi everyone, the big clue that I have seen is that the back of the box, the writing on the genuine chain says Shimano North American Bicycle Inc, whereas the fake one says Shimano American Corporation .
Great tip! Thanks for sharing! I actually discovered this today as a customer brought in another counterfeit to be installed!
Eight give-aways !
Damn i bought a fake one then, good looks
Guys, just wondering...if with all that effort that comes with making fake chain would it be a huge problem for the producer of fake chains to put separate small bag wit a quick-link? Seriously? Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying you are wrong or there is no fake parts on the market, but those "findings" are even easier to fake comparing to the entire chain.
Amazon is no better then Aliexpress
Last year I bought a fake and rode for 2 days - and the chain disintegrated !!!! When I first opened the shimano box and wrapper…the factory grease felt Very Different to all other shimano chains… that seemed odd … and the smell was different too! I’ve learned my lesson… if it’s too cheap it is a clear sign that not all is well!!
I bought a cheap Amazon chain not sold as Shimano and it worked fine for about a month and then either wore out or stretched and the shifting and noise got really bad. It maybe lasted 500 miles. It looked really good at the start.
Your moving camera phone way too fast. Cant see easily thr difference. Yes fake understood!
There must be millions of people cycling with counterfeit chains as 99% of people will not inspect that detail!
I had a 9 speed one from an ebay seller. First thing that was odd was the quick link - this should have been a pin for the 9 speed. Having installed it I checked it with my chain stretch tool. The area including the link was longer than the other parts of the chain. The next thing I noticed was a couple of stiff links which I left negative feedback for. In use there was a lot more gunge coming off the chain as it wore away faster. After about 8 weeks it was out of spec but luckily the cassette was undamaged.
I bought a well-priced Decathlon branded chain which was a genuine KMC and that has been excellent.
Another tell is that the fake chain packaging has the gtin/upc code hard printed on the box. The genuine shimanos have a sticker on the package.
This might explain why our new shimano 11 speed chain lasted only a few weeks.
Few weeks? Lucky....
My genuine (expensive as well) SRAM 1090 chain last for less than 100km on my MTB ;)
Never again to buy lightweight chains for offroad again :D
Thanks for the warning.
You're welcome, thanks for leaving a comment!
Lots of fakes on Amazon. even worse I’ve had brake pads that separated from the backing plate, also damaging my rotor 😮 i buy these highly counterfeit components on jenson now 😂
The chain I have just installed is one of these fakes. I wonder how many I've bought in the past... Thanks for the video
You're welcome! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!
Brilliant idea. Thank you for highlighting it 👍
I would never trust Amazon for bike components.
If buying online, check if a store is listed on dealership sites. You should always buy components from stores that are supplied by your domestic dealer/distributor. Otherwise, no guarantee that you get original parts.
Great advice!
So it's not at all a how to tell of it's fake..oh it doesn't smell like one! U should say ye and you know a lot and say I know it's similar but it's thinner in the mid u know.. but is it! What's the measurements.. so all your advise basically revolves around it being ,"different" so it all revolves around having a known genuine one.. of the plate in the middle is ACTUALLY thinner just measure it and give the sizes of the genuine and fake .. INSTANT IDENTIFICATION weather you have a genuine or a fake without the need for a comparison 😂😂😂💩💩💩💩
Two things:
1- Do you're eyes actually work?
2 - Learn basic English before you comment on something. I can barely understand what you're trying to communicate.
Amazon has become a cesspool. It's barely above ebay at this point.
EASY TO RUST EXPENSIVE AND HEAVY THAT'S SHIMANO 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Yep... I got scammed the other day from an Amazon chain.
Sure, when you have two different packages, it should be a concern. But when you buy one or two from one supplier (fake) - how to tell they differ? You can't. Only by opening the package and comparing the chain with one that's on the bike.
There's several ways to tell without even opening the bag the chain is in. IF the quick link is inside the bag with the chain, it's fake. Shimano has the chain in one big bag, and the quick link in another smaller bag. Look at how the text differs on the boxes in the video again. It's not that hard to tell a fake from genuine Shimano chain...
I'm also a musician and I won't buy a Shure SM57 microphone online!! There are so many counterfeit ones out there and the discount does'nt even warrant it. I find it just sad that there are manufacturers out there who go out of their way to coast on the name of a reputable company in hopes of overpricing their crap!!
Rode microphones are made in Silverwater New South Wales ,Australia and they are great .
I was sure I got a counterfeit chain when I saw the chain link...confirmed by its lousy+noisy running.
Problem behind: although I have enough money I do not like to pay ridiculous much money for a simple bicycle chain that will last for just 2k miles. Comparing the price of a chain for a 200 horse power motorbike to a bicycle-chain is more than annoying - and the motorbike's chain normally endures more than 20k miles (200 horse power towards 1 human power).
Nowadays cycling (a lot...) became more expensive than driving a car.
I bought 2 DA chains on offer from a major online place in the UK "Merlin", and am happy to report they tick all the boxes for being genuine!!! I was a bit concerned after watching other vids on the expected lifespan of these chains and claims of 3-5000 MILES as after 1750km I reckon the Park CC3.2 is close to dropping through at 0.5%....(on a full brand new 105 groupo).... There appears to be very little actual stretch of the chain due to pin/outer plate wear, most of the wear seems to be from the rollers and inner plates. But then checking against the other new chain it doesn't seem to have significantly better readings...Been using ProGold Prolink lube, chain is wiped down thoroughly after every (dry) ride and relubed and been degreasing at 3-400km intervals... Maybe time to try hot waxing...seems a total faff though!
В России 90% цепей подделка. Оригинал shimano не найти😔
Funciona ? Si funciona bien , sea aceptada en un mercado donde los precios son abusivos .
Yep I've been scammed, chain from ebay was shot after 300 miles, only buy from reputable supplier
Good advice!
I just checked my 2 I still have left. I have an oem and a counterfeit. One bought at a LBS and the fake from amazon. Thanks for this, everything you mentioned is true. I've used the fakes the last 2 years, they don't last long at all.
I’ve had a standby chain on my workbench waiting for spring and I think it’s fake based off this video. Worst part is that I paid 42 bucks for it and Amazon said it was from the Shimano store and still seems to be fake!!
I bought one and Amazon, and like you, I have changed many chains, and could instantly tell it was counterfeit. The print on the packaging was not as clear, nor were the instructions. I also noticed the stamping on the chain was more pronounced than the real. Thanks for posting.
I bought a set of Shimano SPD cheats off of E Bay and judging by the wear on them. I think they are counterfeit.. Shimano cleats are heat treated and hardened.. The ones I got are soft and wearing fast..
my fake shimano chain that I bought from facebook snapped on Day 1. thought it was just a quick link that I didnt install properly. 2 rides after, It snapped again today. It did feel rough and grindy at higher gears. This time I noticed at least 5 of the links were partially cracked as well. Never buying bike parts from facebook without receipts.
Ouch!
@@JoeyMesa Even flagship Shimano genuine chains have the "CHORDAL RESONANCE PROBLEM" in highest cassette gears / cogs under heavier load conditions .
Great video but dang itI I've been suckered by the 2 for the price of 1 deal on eBay for what I thought was a pair of genuine Shimano 11 speed chains. No sticky waxing coating or the usual smell, quick link inside the bag with the chain and no pink printed label. The check mark was printed on the outside of the box and the chamfered sections don't match the real parts as you pointed out. Unfortunately I've waited too long to leave any feedback for this eBay seller and it looks like they sell the heck out of all kinds of Shimano parts...all of which are likely fake!!!
For the amount of work that goes into making a chain I don't know why they need to make copies. Thinking back I have been caught out when my new chain skipped three most used gears when the old one didn't. I bought a new chain from the lBS for twice the price and had no problems. I didn't think at the time I may have had a fake but a seconds batch but after this I know.
Thats why I dont buy shimano! You dont know if its fake. Just go for sram.
Or Connex Wippermann which I supply often .
Had no idea! Gonna check mine now! I'll try to update and let folks know whether the chain i got from TEMU is legit or not... I also got a Shimano hydraulic brake set up to be delivered....wondering if that also could be a phony....🧐
So....following up...I finally got to taking the chain I got from Temu... seems legit...mine is an IG51 vs the one on your video.
My counterfeit Shimano chain had its quicklink in a separate bag. Had the foil on the logo on outside box. What it didn't have was the pink sticker on the clear bag that contains the chain.
So we learned nothing .
I is not we.
lol😂 good one !
Its often a bit more money, but I prefer to buy bike parts on real bike part websites like JensonUSA or worldwidecyclery
Damnit!! I have a counterfeit 😑 I’m glad it hasn’t been installed on either of my bikes.
Awesome work. Helped me work out that I have been ripped on eBay.
Great to hear!
I was hoping for a stable shot of the side by side comparison, but you kept waving the camera around.
he's confused for sure
Maybe just hit the pause button?
@Joey Mesa Republishing the video with a producer / cameraman present may help .
where is a good place to buy real shimano chains and other parts?
Actual bike shops?!?!?!
I bought an 11 speed Shimano chain on Amazon just to see if I would get a fake. I really couldn't tell the difference except it came with a KMC quicklink. I really doubt Shimano would do that so I returned it. Couldn't find anywhere on Shimano's website to contact them and see if this is something they did, Maybe they had a shortage of quick links.
Yeah, that's weird!
That's why I use KMC
Almost got bit by the amazon chain. Always check reviews
Had the same happened to me. I though my rings need it replaced but it was the Shain from Amazon
are kmc chains counterfeited too.
I'm hearing from some folks that there are. I haven't seen any yet, but your best bet with any component is to buy from a reputable seller.
This is a big reason why I canceled my Amazon account. Walmart's website isn't any better. These online platforms let anyone sell. They also co-mingle inventory by SKU so if I ship fake chains to an Amazon distribution and you send real chains well someone could order from your online store and end up getting a fake because the real and counterfeit items were mixed around in the same bin at the Amazon fulfillment center. The counterfeit items on Amazon are numerous and very convincing.
Thanks!
When I worked for Shimano this was just starting...and if a prototype chain or quick link needed to be tested, I would politely decline. Moral of the story....don't mess around with chains. It is the driving force for the entire bicycle.
I agree 100% I can literally make a great bike feel like junk, and cause some serious damage when it fails. Well, if you can tolerate riding it more than a couple hundred yards or so!
@@JoeyMesa That too. If a chain snaps while sprinting..... RIP
Ffs please
Wow it’s sad how good the packaging is. These crooks are relentless!
Yeah, they're trying really hard!
@@JoeyMesa I don't agree as the chain looks somewhat different through the packaging window . One other thing to avoid on these marketplaces is the "VADER" saddles range .
There's such a high risk of getting fakes now that it's not even worth saving the money on Amazon or E-Bay. I got some fake Shimano shifters, at least E-Bay refunded me immediately
I saw this on ebay Australia once ( a lot of play in the Shimano ST EF 51 brake lever pivot points ) .
I’m a SRAM guy so now I need to see they smell too.
It's actually a pretty pleasant smell!
I found that page listing the fake chain on Amazon.
Although the chain ships from Amazon, it is sold by another store.
Do you think chains both shipped and sold by Amazon could also be fake?
I don't know for sure, but if the store is legitimate, it's probably fine.