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Fake chains

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Fake chains

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flag creep-pea
Posted: Jun 25, 2025 at 9:02 Quote
I bought a couple of XTR chain off ebay and I think they could be fakes, I noticed on the split link where the pin is pressed in the plate is bowed in and on my old chain it is flat, also the finish on the end of the pin isn't as good. Have Shimano changed manufactures or is it a fake?
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flag creep-pea
Posted: Jun 25, 2025 at 9:13 Quote
If it hadn't been for these authentic stickers I would have never even have checked, assuming they are fakes they are an extremely good copy, they even made the QR codes unique.
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flag teedubya
Posted: Jun 25, 2025 at 11:13 Quote
Have you compared weights?
flag creep-pea
Posted: Jun 28, 2025 at 2:56 Quote
No, I'd guess they are the same though, they have the hollow pins and the chamfered links so I'd expect them to be near enough identical weight wise.
Fairly certain they are fake as the seller has apologised and offered a 50% discount to try and get me to keep them.
flag Heathy2671
Posted: Jul 20, 2025 at 13:29 Quote
Hey man, that’s actually good to know — I’ve been looking at XTR chains on eBay too but was a bit skeptical. Did you end up confirming if they’re fake or just a new batch from Shimano? Would be great to know what to watch out for before I pull the trigger on one.
flag creep-pea
Posted: Jul 22, 2025 at 10:38 Quote
They were definitely fakes but extremely hard to spot the difference, the most obvious thing was the split link, see photo in my original post to see the difference, they also came wrapped up inside the chain bag whereas the genuine ones I've had the split link is in a separate bag, I'm sure whoever is making the will probably read this and alter this to match how Shimano does it.

I got a full refund from the seller on Ebay and they've closed the account down but I guess they'll just sell them under a different name.
flag Seeech
Posted: Sep 16, 2025 at 16:17 Quote
As victim to chain cuts, this almost cost me my ankle.
flag jetman777
Posted: Apr 18, 2026 at 13:16 Quote
The quick link on the right is fake. Shimano Fake chains are built to 0 tolerances. They are more lose than an old worn out chain. Fake chains feel different to the touch. Shimano coats there chains with a corrosion inhibitor. Fake chains are oily and have a perfume smell. The engraving on the side plates of the fake chains look beautiful better than Genuine Shimano. Fake chains weigh more.
flag epiclinehunter
Posted: Apr 18, 2026 at 22:40 Quote
Yeah bro… that pic is sus

The right one (with the swirly/rough pin finish and slightly “dented” plate) is exactly the kind of stuff people see on fakes.

Real Shimano links are usually clean, flat plate around the pin, smooth, consistent finish

stamping looks sharp and even
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