Checking if item is counterfeit?

[Ming the Merciless]

KMC also supply chain by the 300m ? reel, where they just chop off what is needed.

The one I have is a 50m reel of KMC X9. Got it when a bike shop was closing down. I ride a recumbent and replacing chain twice a year is about 5m. Thus 10 years worth of chain. But it cost me equivalent of about £4 per chain, and stays dry with the factory grease intact.

 

[Pblakeney]

I've just bought some brake pads and Shimano cleats from Wolf Cycles. Now, I have no suspicion they are anything other than genuine but I was wondering how we check what items actually are genuine Shimano. There is a Shimano authentication app but this isn't available here in UK, even if I try a VPN.

So, even if you buy from a reputable store how can you be sure if items are genuine. I'm particularly interested in the cleats as I foolishly some years ago bought from Amazon and they broke on a climb and I got thrown off bike, albeit at low speed.

I once queried a product on Amazon with the original company. Their response was that if is was sold and shipped directly by Amazon then it would be genuine. If it was through a 3rd party reseller on Amazon then buyer beware.
It may have only been relevant to this one company but something I now always check before buying on Amazon.

 

[Binky]

I once queried a product on Amazon with the original company. Their response was that if is was sold and shipped directly by Amazon then it would be genuine. If it was through a 3rd party reseller on Amazon then buyer beware.
It may have only been relevant to this one company but something I now always check before buying on Amazon.

I can't remember which company sold them but I'm sure wasn't a LBS via Amazon, they were fakes. This was around 3 years ago.
I've bought stuff on Amazon (not necessarily bike kit) which almost certainly isn't genuine but it didn't matter. Something like cleats do as I learnt to my cost!
It's not just Amazon, from research I did yesterday Ebay even worse and almost certainly will be fake items from there if it's not from a genuine bike shop selling via.

As I've said, I have no reason to suspect items I got from Wolf are anything other than genuine and going by picture I posted above it confirms they are but my point is how do we know if items bought are genuine. That's crux of it really. I think all we can do is buy from a known bike shop and trust they are good.

 

[Llama]

The Amazon issues are due to the fact that Amazon has one bin location for products, regardless of whether it is an Amazon-supplied product or a third-party seller. So it's just luck of the draw if you get the genuine or fake.

Just be aware that, despite resellers buying only from genuine wholesalers/importers, often people buy a real item and a fake. Swap them to return the fake and get a refund. Then keep the genuine which has only cost them the price of the fake. If the store doesn't check properly, it will just get resold.

 

[Binky]

I'm putting something else on this thread which I've noticed.

Nov 2025 I put a new Ultegra chain and cassette on bike. Since then i've ridden about 1300 miles on that bike and chain is utterly shot. Using chaintool the wear shows 1.0(!).
Note I usually get 3500miles per chain, I keep records of when I change consumables and miles on them.

The chain I got from Merlin who I buy a lot from and I was slightly puzzled when it arrived as was in usual cardboard outer delivery box but the actual chain just in a sealed plastic bag with no Shimano box as well. I thought a bit strange but Merlin always been fine etc so just fitted and carried on.
However, a chain being completely worn out in such a short time/miles and all dry road miles is definitely not right seeing as I'm definitely not putting out a lot of watts.

Is is counterfeit? Hard to know but I'm doubting what else it could be. I'm also wondering about buying from there again. Hopefully a one-off.

 

[ianrauk]

The chain I got from Merlin who I buy a lot from and I was slightly puzzled when it arrived as was in usual cardboard outer delivery box but the actual chain just in a sealed plastic bag with no Shimano box as well. I thought a bit strange but Merlin always been fine etc so just fitted and carried on.

It sounds like an OEM chain.
I really can't imagine Merlin supplying hooky.

 

[All uphill]

I'm putting something else on this thread which I've noticed.

Nov 2025 I put a new Ultegra chain and cassette on bike. Since then i've ridden about 1300 miles on that bike and chain is utterly shot. Using chaintool the wear shows 1.0(!).
Note I usually get 3500miles per chain, I keep records of when I change consumables and miles on them.

The chain I got from Merlin who I buy a lot from and I was slightly puzzled when it arrived as was in usual cardboard outer delivery box but the actual chain just in a sealed plastic bag with no Shimano box as well. I thought a bit strange but Merlin always been fine etc so just fitted and carried on.
However, a chain being completely worn out in such a short time/miles and all dry road miles is definitely not right seeing as I'm definitely not putting out a lot of watts.

Is is counterfeit? Hard to know but I'm doubting what else it could be. I'm also wondering about buying from there again. Hopefully a one-off.

What do Merlin say?

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

I'm putting something else on this thread which I've noticed.

Nov 2025 I put a new Ultegra chain and cassette on bike. Since then i've ridden about 1300 miles on that bike and chain is utterly shot. Using chaintool the wear shows 1.0(!).
Note I usually get 3500miles per chain, I keep records of when I change consumables and miles on them.

The chain I got from Merlin who I buy a lot from and I was slightly puzzled when it arrived as was in usual cardboard outer delivery box but the actual chain just in a sealed plastic bag with no Shimano box as well. I thought a bit strange but Merlin always been fine etc so just fitted and carried on.
However, a chain being completely worn out in such a short time/miles and all dry road miles is definitely not right seeing as I'm definitely not putting out a lot of watts.

Is is counterfeit? Hard to know but I'm doubting what else it could be. I'm also wondering about buying from there again. Hopefully a one-off.

Most of the chains I buy from well known retailers now come in the plastic OEM sleeve as highlighted by @ianrauk. I cant explain the faster wear but I would struggle to believe it is counterfeit as it has been purchased through a highly reputable retailer who would have purchased directly from the distributor.

 

[Binky]

Haven't heard back yet from Merlin, I emailed earlier. I don't suppose they'll be thrilled though to be informed the may have sold a non genuine item.
However, when I usually get 3500miles from a chain in identical or near enough riding conditions then something isn't right.
I've told them I'm not after a refund etc but I want them to check what they're getting from their suppliers and then selling on.

I'll add I have of course been checking wear regularly and it was way over what I expected but still within useable limits but just checked this morning and I was really suprised.