KMC EPT chain - Avoid!

[PpPete]

Back in the spring I looked at the chain of my hard working winter commuter and decided it was time for a new one. Because it had been so wet and I often dont feel like doing anything to the bike when I get home in the dark and cold & wet I decided on a chain with a rust-resistant coating.
KMC X9 EPT dully purchased and fitted.
Of course then the weather looked up and that bike was little used though the spring & summer.
Come the darker nights and it was time to check if all was well - amongst other tasks I stripped the factory grease from the chain & added it to my hot wax treatment schedule (every 200-300km - more frequently if wet)
Just over a week ago (with less than 1000km on the bike since the new chain) I broke a link just as I was starting on my homeward journey. Ah well - I guess these things happen. Removed the broken bits (outer plate only) and swopped in a 10 speed chain as a temporary measure while I waited for postie to deliver a new 9 speed quick link.

Went to fit the new quick link today - ran the chain through to see, just out of curiosity how close were the two quick links to each other and spotted what looked like a crack in another (ordinary) link, and then another, and another.
Let's just say I'll not be buying another one of these:

 

[newts]

Is it a genuine KMC chain, there's been alot of fakes selling on major sites for a couple of years?

 

[I like Skol]

Where did you buy your chain from? There seems to be an awful lot of fake kmc gear about on the popular discount sites. I've been a victim of it, as have others in the forum. Chains that usually last 1500 miles of all weather use suddenly pass 0.75% wear at only 400 miles, etc. I've resorted to paying a little more and only buying chains and other consumables from known, trustworthy suppliers (Spa Cycles ) and haven't had any troubles since.

 

[PpPete]

Purchased from Wiggle. Not my favourite - but price/availability at the time.

 

[newts]

I would email Wiggle, they look to have been duped by their supplier. If it's a genuine chain, it shouldn't have so many failed plates & should be replaced/refunded😲

 

[HobbesOnTour]

I would email Wiggle, they look to have been duped by their supplier. If it's a genuine chain, it shouldn't have so many failed plates & should be replaced/refunded😲

Agree.
It's only fair to alert the seller and manufacturer and give them the chance to rectify the situation before badmouthing them publicly.

 

[Chris S]

I would email Wiggle, they look to have been duped by their supplier. If it's a genuine chain, it shouldn't have so many failed plates & should be replaced/refunded😲

Good luck on that, they're in administration.
https://road.cc/content/news/wiggle-chain-reaction-enters-administration-304741

 

[newts]

Good luck on that, they're in administration.
https://road.cc/content/news/wiggle-chain-reaction-enters-administration-304741

They're currently still trading.

 

[PpPete]

Chain has been returned to Wiggle

 

[PpPete]

No evidence of any investigation or other feedback from Wiggle - but they have now refunded the full purchase price.
I guess we will never know if it was a counterfeit got into their supply chain, or whether it was bad batch or that I'm just so powerful that I can tear chains apart with the force exerted in my daily commute.

 

[craigwend]

https://www.globalcyclingnetwork.com/tech/features/does-cycling-have-an-issue-with-counterfeit-goods

 

[newts]

No evidence of any investigation or other feedback from Wiggle - but they have now refunded the full purchase price.
I guess we will never know if it was a counterfeit got into their supply chain, or whether it was bad batch or that I'm just so powerful that I can tear chains apart with the force exerted in my daily commute.

Just hang onto the last bit