I'd like to share some of my recent findings.
I bought a 10-speed KMC chain years ago from Amazon, and recently a 11-speed, and found both are counterfeit.
The 10-speed one looks very fake, I did not notice that, and it stretched 0.5% after 1500km. The 11speed one looks very similar to genuine yet shows signs of corrosion after only 100km.
I have KMC chains that come with my bike, and bought new ones from local shop, when comparing them, it became clear that Amazon ones are fake.
The fake 10-speed one has flat outer plate, and the 11-speed one is slightly bulged out in the middle, when genuine ones have X-shaped protrusions you can feel. This can be seen more clearly from inside the outer plate. The X-shaped protrusions are clear on genuine ones. On a used chain, the edges become shining from wear, making the X-shape even more noticeable.
The "M" engraving is also slightly different.
Both fake chains are very prone to rust, as shown in the photo, apparently they were made from inferior materials, and last less and easily break.
Those chains are sent directly from Amazon, not third-party sellers. I wrote reviews and Amazon do not show them.
by Lihong_Hao
16 Comments
https://preview.redd.it/1536pc2322qe1.png?width=1554&format=png&auto=webp&s=772b7da942a4ae980094e4c5d07dc2f350573af8
Both chains are from Amazon.
I posted this in BikeWrench yesterday and it was removed as not related to bike repair. However I saw many people got fake chains similar to mine, so post again here.
I never buy chains on Amazon anymore. Sooo many fakes both Shimano and KMC.
Not the first time I’ve heard about counterfeit chains sold directly by Amazon.
I’ll admit that I prefer buying bike parts there online to save money but I’ll buy my chains from my LBS.
first mistake was buying this on amazon/ebay. 90% of chains are fake on there. if the location comes from china, probably fake. i only buy chains from real store websites like bikeinn
Don’t buy anything from Amazon. In every industry it’s riddled with fake/counterfeit/knock-off items. From bike stuff to yarn stuff to hair/makeup stuff to tool stuff, you can’t trust you’re getting something real, even from approved/certified sellers.
Yeah. If people could just stop buying bike parts from Amazon, that would be great.
Amazon comingles inventory by SKU so you never know what you’re going to get or from who. Buy from a bicycle retailer to get a real product.
I always buy bike chains and tires from a local bike shop.
wait… are you seriously trying to imply that if i buy my drugs from a street dealer (becasue saving time and money means that much), they may not be the same as what the reputable pharmacy (LBS) sells?
i’m aghast! from now on all my bike drugs come from my LBS!
>bought from Amazon
Well there’s your problem!
KMC’s own website actually has pretty good prices for their chains
Along with chamfer features on Shimano and KMC chains, the packaging may also provide some information as the graphics and text will be different for fake chains compared to that for the real chains (i.e., inconsistent font use)
Amazon is ruining global commerce. I get that they’re cheap and convenient, but they should be a vendor of last resort, not your first choice.
Please visit your LBS to buy bike parts
Don’t buy bike parts on Amazon.
1. Amazon is a cesspool of scammers and counterfeiters.
2. Give money to either LBS or to legitimate, cycling specific online retailers. Support the actual bike industry, which is struggling, and not Jeff Bezos, who is not struggling.
Amazon makes it easy to sell counterfeit goods.