Counterfeit Cycling Products Are Far More Common Than You Think...

[J.R.]

Counterfeit bike parts and accessories are a bigger problem than I thought.

I've purchased a lot of chains over the years. I do shop prices online, but the sites I sort of trust, I have never seen more than a few dollars difference between them. If I saw a KMC or Shimano chain half price, I'd think something was fishy. Apparently, it's real fishy and happening a lot.

 

[Gionnirocket]

Chains especially common.

 

[harryS]

I bought a pair of KMC X8's, mountain bike chains, in 2023, $15.95 a set shipped on ebay. This year, the same vendor, located in Mt. Horeb, WI, now asks $17.95.

Meanwhile, a cursory search on amazon has the same box at $30.,95, which is why I bought it on ebay, but I know the local bike stores sell it for around $15-17 if you go in. Just lazy. If I go in, I might buy a bike,,

 

[Gionnirocket]

I bought a pair of KMC X8's, mountain bike chains, in 2023, $15.95 a set shipped on ebay. This year, the same vendor, located in Mt. Horeb, WI, now asks $17.95.

Meanwhile, a cursory search on amazon has the same box at $30.,95, which is why I bought it on ebay, but I know the local bike stores sell it for around $15-17 if you go in. Just lazy. If I go in, I might buy a bike,,

X8 chain on the manufacturer website has a retail price of $20... So $16 or $18 is reasonable especially when bike shops can buy it in bulk by the 1000 ft reel.
I've purchased X8 chains from eBay and they've lasted over 3000mi with a 750w mid drive.
It's when you see a $28 E8 chain for $12 that you need to be cautious.
I got a Shimano 11sp chain cheap from Aliexpress and it was clearly fake. They gave me a refund without issue.
Purchased the same chain on Ali for $5 more and I got an authentic chain.
Your quick link may vary

 

[J.R.]

An interesting find today while looking at a new chain for a Sram drive. A Sram PC 1170, made in Portugal is between $42 and $46. REI is $46 and Performance Bike is $43. AliExpress in China is $19.81 with free shipping.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

If I go in, I might buy a bike,,

Number 1 reason to learn to fix your own bike. Number 2: Ditto for accessories and upgrades.

I went into a bike shop and didn't spend a dime once. Hardest 20 minutes of my life.

 

[Chargeride]

Even bike shops get caught out, its always been a problem..ask Boeing.

 

[J.R.]

It's taken a lot of people by surprise. The information the Specialized executive offered in the interview is revealing. Just shows how difficult it is these days to survive in consumer products retail market. It's no wonder some of the better ebike brands have left the US market.

 

[Gionnirocket]

It's taken a lot of people by surprise. The information the Specialized executive offered in the interview is revealing. Just shows how difficult it is these days to survive in consumer products retail market. It's no wonder some of the better ebike brands have left the US market.

Are you under the impression that counterfeit products are only a problem in the US?

 

[J.R.]

Are you under the impression that counterfeit products are only a problem in the US?

Did you watch the video? I expect not, as it is a British channel, and they interviewed the Italian bike manufacturer Pinarello. I am, however, offering my comments as a US consumer.

Must be a tough job trying to provoke an argument in every thread

 

[Gionnirocket]

Did you watch the video? I expect not, as it is a British channel, and they interviewed the Italian bike manufacturer Pinarello. I am, however, offering my comments as a US consumer.

Must be a tough job trying to provoke an argument in every thread

I did watch the video... But your last comment came across as out of context.

Not sure how my comment comes accros as argumentative... might I suggest one size up on the spandex

 

[J.R.]

I did watch the video... But your last comment came across as out of context.

Not sure how my comment comes accros as argumentative... might I suggest one size up on the spandex

In context as a US consumer. A deeper context, as it relates to brands leaving the US market and the relationship to counterfeit parts and bikes, is for good and bad, the US market is more open than many markets around the world.

You really need to stop picturing people in spandex. Kinda weird

 

[Gionnirocket]

In context as a US consumer. A deeper context, as it relates to brands leaving the US market and the relationship to counterfeit parts and bikes, is for good and bad, the US market is more open than many markets around the world.

You really need to stop picturing people in spandex. Kinda weird

Glad it makes sense to you... but your attempt to sound knowledgeable falls short.
Might I suggest that you do some traveling as Europe is rampant with counterfeit everything as is most of the world. You know.. as the foreign produced video you posted explains.

And now it's starting to sound more serious..perhaps internal? Might I update my suggestion to a pharmacist consultation and a stroll up the hygiene isle.

 

[J.R.]

Glad it makes sense to you... but your attempt to sound knowledgeable falls short.
Might I suggest that you do some traveling as Europe is rampant with counterfeit everything as is most of the world. You know.. as the foreign produced video you posted explains.

And now it's starting to sound more serious..perhaps internal? Might I update my suggestion to a pharmacist consultation and a stroll up the hygiene isle.

A, for effort.

 

[Gionnirocket]

A, for effort.

Wish I could say the same

 

[PCeBiker]

I've got a KMC chain that may be fake?
It doesn't matter to me because it will last forever on my hub drive that I don't pedal.

. If I saw a KMC or Shimano chain half price, I'd think something was fishy.

I figure the best way to sell a fake chain is to sell it for full price?
Then shopping gets more difficult.

I've got a fake DOT motorcycle helmet that I'd never wear on a motorcycle but it's OK for my ebike at 20 mph.

I had a real DOT motorcycle helmet in the 80's that was dangerous because the visor would flip up and snap my head back when I'd check my blind spot, so I taped it closed.

I've found that crappy motorcycle equipment (mirrors, clamps, bells & whistles) is OK on my e-bike if any potential failure isn't a safety issue.

A mirror falling off a motorcycle can be dangerous, but it's just annoying on my ebike.

 

[Gionnirocket]

I've got a KMC chain that may be fake?
It doesn't matter to me because it will last forever on my hub drive that I don't pedal.

You should remove the chain and carry it in your bike tool bag... This will reduce your ride weight

 

[PCeBiker]

You should remove the chain and carry it in your bike tool bag... This will reduce your ride weight

My neighbor got pulled over on his "scooter" type ebike about 15 years ago.
He had removed his crank arms and pedals. The cop just said to carry them on the bike.

Another neighbor about 10 years ago had an "e-bike" that had the required pedals to be legal.

They were completely useless. The chain ring and crank arms were both about 3"
He couldn't even wind up the cranks fast enough to get going fast enough to not fall over without putting his foot down.