Is Your Shimano Chain A Counterfeit? 

Wow I would have never guessed there were counterfeit chains. Thanks for raising awareness.

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

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.

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.

Thanks for pointing out the differences. Difficult to spot for us amateurs.

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.

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 👍🏾

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! 😅

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😳

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.

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.

Learn something new every day. Thank you for this video.

Really used video. Thanks for taking the time to create this.

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.

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

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.

Brilliant idea. Thank you for highlighting it 👍

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.

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.

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.

Awesome work. Helped me work out that I have been ripped on eBay.

Thank you! I had no idea that fake chains were even a thing.

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.

Top man , I was struggling to get my bike shifting right . Seems the bargain I bought was a dodgy one . Lesson learned . Cheers for the explanation

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.

Much appreciated dude, you need a big thank you hug. I am upgrading my foldie and I was going to buy the cheaper 9 speed shimano chain ... Now I know why! ⭕️⭕️

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.

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.

Thanks for the warning.

Good to know. Thanks Joey!

Excellent video… thanks.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

Dude, we sure do appreciate this. Definitely gonna keep a better eye out now for these. Any Sram counterfeit chains??

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.

Had the same happened to me. I though my rings need it replaced but it was the Shain from Amazon

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.

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.

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!!

Thank you for that movie.

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.

Thanks for posting this. Think I will switch to SRAM to avoid this.

Thanks for the heads up, good to know to look out for fakes!

i bought shimano chain this afternoon . its 100 % guinuine from shimano service center manila❤️🇵🇭

Agree - quick links together with the chain is a great way to see that its a fake.

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?

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.

Faz um vídeo sobre as pastilhas de freio pois há muita falsificação 👍🏻

Wow. Good eyes. Like many others my eyes are drawn to the cheap price. I'd have never known until you pointed this out. Maybe you can do videos on cassettes and chairings and SRAM counterfeits too. Especially with some of these parts in the $300+ range to be stuck with a counterfeit is bad news

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..

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.

nice topic🔥🔥🔥

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.

Anyone know if there are counterfeit cassettes being marketed as Shimano as well ?

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.

Thanks Joey!

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 is why I purchase everything I possibly can from my LBS.

Nice take on the subject, do you think there is a really big difference in the material and resistance... because from a perspective material and performance in some chains counterfaeit or not have more variables... and knowing the industry and the process to building bike parts there are ... components that run out there the same way than the original... the detail in fabrication is cero, you have to put the same parts the same way the same materials, but the fundamental differences lie on the test they run on the products after fabrication, that's why they have cheap pack and perhaps poor packing presentation that lower cost more clean and neat means higher standards of the industry, than other 'counterfeit' ... even when some times both can come from the same place but one did approve all the test and the other ones are pack and label as 'counterfeit' ... 'we can visit' china, taiwan, malasia , Indonesia, ... this happen in every mayor plant and is not an issue that we don't know.

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!

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....🧐

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.

I purchased a chain from a very popular and well respected online bike website and it would never run smoothly so only used once. Next chain was fine which was from a different online website.

I always buy bike parts from reputable sites, now. Ive received a counterfeit maxxis tire from planet cyclery, through an amazon order. That was the last time.

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

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?

Merci!

I bought a counterfeit Shimano chain on Amazon. Didn't know until I brought the bike to the shop because I couldn't get it to shift right. I will always buy chains from my LBS now.

I was told recently by a friend in the bike components industry that a very large, online bike specific retailer has been warned they are selling fake parts and ordered to withdraw them from sale immediately and yet they continue to do so!

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 .

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.

Almost got bit by the amazon chain. Always check reviews

Getting harder to spot. I use sram anyway, but there will probably be copies of those out there as well

Isn't there some app by Shimano that can scan and verify product codes, too? I'm not sure if they could also fake that but at least, getting close with packaging and the extra bag for the QL isn't too much of an obstacle for counterfeiters, but things like the differently machined cutouts are hard to replicate, at least without bringing their machining costs up, too. I guess there is a reason why Hyperglide has a long history of optimization.

I’m a SRAM guy so now I need to see they smell too.

Buy from an authorized retailer.

ybn and kmc for the win

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.

I tried to buy chain at my LBS and they said "come back in three months" so I got knockoff chain from aliexpress in a month. It's not "fake" chain because it is still chain, its just not authentic Shimano. I did notice the knockoff chain had stiff links fresh out of the box that needed some massaging to move at all. Still beats riding the old worn chain for another three months.

Wonder if even local bike stores are even selling these.

Thanks for posting this. This is exactly why I won’t buy chains off of Amazon. Do you think these fakes have made it into online bike stores or even local bike shops with them under the impression that they are legit?

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

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.

I would like to know where they were made? One is made in a different factory for Shimano

Thanks for the heads up! By the way - way back when in 2005-2007-2008 was participating in some local level mass popular MTB races here in Latvia - and almost always somewhere mid-race, when climbing uphill and shifting - I broke abt. 10-15 chains, all Shimano. The chain was correct, the front off-set (number of spacers of Shimano HollowTech bottom bracket) was correct - and the cassette was original Shimano - but apparently, my shifting - or brute force - was so incorrect that I just kept ripping through chains every time. Then years passed - and I re-started more or less active MTB-ing somewhere in 2016-2017 - this time, also with full Shimano drivetrain - but KMC X-something (depending on gear number) chains. I don't think my riding - or shifting patterns - have changed, but I am yet to brake a single KMC chain. And they're cheaper. Yup, they may shift slightly rougher than Shimano - but in my book - I better suffer through worse shifting experience - than make an expensive paper weight out of my bike while pedalling and shifting (perhaps improperly) uphill. And on top of that - watching this video - I don't think they are counterfeiting KMC chains. Because why would they? They're cheap Chinese chains - who would benefit from counterfeiting them? Anyway. Thanks for the vid, greetings from Latvia.

It doesn’t pass the smell test. That is classic!

That's why I use KMC

Is there a difference in text markings on the chain?

Does Shimano have an actual Amazon presence? I hope their watching this and would bet they know all about it.

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.

Funciona ? Si funciona bien , sea aceptada en un mercado donde los precios son abusivos .

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.

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

Damnit!! I have a counterfeit 😑 I’m glad it hasn’t been installed on either of my bikes.

so is it any different in performance?

Are they not made of the same material?