Since the outbreak of the epidemic, the supply of bicycle industry parts and other products has been in short supply, especially the supply of bicycle transmission systems has suffered a serious shortage. Take Shimano as an example. The shortage of bicycle transmission systems has also prompted the emergence of counterfeit Shimano products. Many counterfeit Shimano chains, flywheels, brake pads, cleats and other accessories have appeared in the market.

Although these knockoff products on the market carry the Shimano brand name, they do not meet the quality requirements of the original manufacturer. They cut corners in product raw materials and quality control to attract customers with lower costs and lower selling prices.

In addition to ethical issues, selling knockoff products raises some serious safety concerns, especially when there is a problem with its accessories.

Just like Shimano’s top series chain products, it is obviously difficult for us to distinguish the counterfeit copycat products on the market from the packaging. It can be said that a 1:1 restoration has been achieved.

In terms of products, it is difficult for us to see the difference if the two chains are not placed together. The counterfeit chain is not so meticulous in details, especially some exclusive technologies that realize quick shifting, which the products of the copycat cannot achieve at all.

The quick-release buckles on the chains of Shimano’s top products are printed with clear product model and installation instructions, while the counterfeit products are directly matched to the general-purpose quick-release buckles corresponding to the speed on the market.

Although there is a risk of chain breakage during use, these fake products have a higher risk of chain breakage. In order to minimize this, Shimano manufacturers invest heavily in product testing, quality control and manufacturing to ensure that their chains and other products meet strict standards before they can be sold.

Shimano is also aware that counterfeit products are entering the market and can have a serious impact on their reputation, so they have also taken some measures to prevent this.

Generally, Shimano recommends that consumers purchase genuine Shimano parts from authorized Shimano dealers and distributors. If consumers believe they are buying counterfeit products, they advise consumers to contact their local Shimano service center or Shimano retailer directly to help identify them.

Shimano also stated: “In recent years, we have confirmed that counterfeit goods of Shimano’s products and repair parts have been circulated around the world. Since counterfeit goods not only cause quality problems (such as accidents and injuries) to customers, but also cause problems to our customers and Business partners cause harm, and we will take a firm stand against counterfeiting.”

Since May 2021, in order to provide customers with safe and reliable products, Shimano has used special materials that are difficult to counterfeit in product packaging, and introduced special applications and labels that can verify the authenticity of products. Customers will be able to verify the authenticity of the product by scanning the QR code printed on the label using a special app that can be installed on their smartphone.

So, when we receive Shimano’s products, we can inquire through the “SHIMANO ” WeChat public account. We can turn on the “authentic query” function of the WeChat official account, and scan the product packaging with a double-layer smart label with a QR code printed on the lower layer, each label has a QR code embedded with a unique serial number.

If the above message is displayed, the product is genuine.

If the above message is displayed, the product may have exceeded the maximum number of scans, or it is judged that the expiration date has passed, or the product is not genuine. Because the maximum number of verifications for a QR code is limited to 3 times, if the QR code is scanned more than 3 times, the same warning will be displayed. Therefore, if the above phenomenon occurs in the product you scanned, it is likely to be a counterfeit product, and you can go to the local Shimano authorized office for identification.

Shimano is not responsible for any damage or loss caused by purchasing counterfeit goods, etc., so customers are also advised to be cautious when purchasing products from stores and private sellers, etc. where the origin of the product is uncertain. Therefore, it is best to find a local authorized dealer to buy Shimano products.