KMC Chain authenticity question, bought on Taobao
05-03-24, 11:03 PM
#101
Full Member
Of course I jinxed myself and just got a counterfeit chain off Ali. Luckily they're pretty heavy handed about fakes so dealt with quickly... still need to get a spare chain though
05-03-24, 11:52 PM
#102
Senior Member
05-05-24, 09:45 AM
#103
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 5,939
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3608 Post(s)
Liked 3,027 Times
in
1,832 Posts
05-05-24, 06:06 PM
#104
Senior Member
05-06-24, 09:37 AM
#105
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 5,939
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3608 Post(s)
Liked 3,027 Times
in
1,832 Posts
Only the "C" was actually an "O."
05-06-24, 07:43 PM
#107
Senior Member
(above) Good eye! The large inner plate chamfer at the roller is the easiest clue to see, but also surprises me, as either the roller needs to be smaller or the inner plate larger, and the latter might be tougher on cogs smaller than 11T.
05-09-24, 10:39 AM
#108
Full Member
Oddly both were from the same seller. Ordered the first (authentic chain) about 4 monthas ago and all was good. I wanted a spare so hit re-order, and no bueno. Seems they're not immune to counterfeits either. Could be he thought he was selling a legit chain but didn't know enough to tell the difference.
05-09-24, 10:54 PM
#109
Newbie
In 2022, the Office of the United States Trade Representative named Taobao on its list of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy.
Likes For AKHIker:
05-12-24, 09:32 PM
#110
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Yamaguchi City, Japan
Posts: 1,095
Bikes: Trek Madone 5.2 SL 2007, Look KG386, R022 Re-framed Azzurri Primo, Felt Z5, Trek F7.3 FX
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 405 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times
in
73 Posts
My fake KMC (which lacks inner plate chamfer, and the thin chevrons on the packaging are of equal density rather than fading out into the blue) has lasted about 500km without noticable wear. I predict that it will last another 500 km which will mean that it is about as durable and the same price as the cheapest FCS (?) chains from aliexpress.
05-12-24, 10:11 PM
#111
Senior Member
My fake KMC (which lacks inner plate chamfer, and the thin chevrons on the packaging are of equal density rather than fading out into the blue) has lasted about 500km without noticable wear. I predict that it will last another 500 km which will mean that it is about as durable and the same price as the cheapest FCS (?) chains from aliexpress.
05-13-24, 08:46 AM
#112
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 3,721
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 859 Post(s)
Liked 1,095 Times
in
765 Posts
The 8.1 chain is KMC's lowest grade 8 speed which has a retail of $13 at the moment and at that price I wouldn't expect much. Try the X8 for a longer lasting chain at $20 retail.
05-13-24, 11:41 AM
#113
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,669
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4763 Post(s)
Liked 1,542 Times
in
1,011 Posts
Mine is a genuine KMC, however I had expected this 8-speed chain to last longer than thinner higher speed chains. Wrong. Ratings on Zero Friction Cycling showed poor wear, and this is because the lower speed chains are not getting the premium steel and/or surface treatments of their 10/11/12 chains, I think this applies to all brands. Makes sense, given that my KMC 8.1 was $10 on sale late 2021.
05-13-24, 06:20 PM
#114
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 3,721
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 859 Post(s)
Liked 1,095 Times
in
765 Posts
^^^^HG40 Shimano 6/7/8 speed chain is a lower cost, Tourney level chain and is not a like-for-like level comparison. HG93 is an XT level chain and again, not on the same level as the XTR CM9100 12 speed chain.
05-13-24, 06:23 PM
#115
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Yamaguchi City, Japan
Posts: 1,095
Bikes: Trek Madone 5.2 SL 2007, Look KG386, R022 Re-framed Azzurri Primo, Felt Z5, Trek F7.3 FX
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 405 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times
in
73 Posts
Thanks. That is interesting. So 10 and 11 speed last about the same but 12 speed lasts longer.
Only trouble is that CM9100 chain costs 105USD.
I have just realised that Ultegra 10s chains are reduced at only 22USD (both Amazon Japan prices).
I should have bought the Ultegra chain not the fake KMC.
Only trouble is that CM9100 chain costs 105USD.
I have just realised that Ultegra 10s chains are reduced at only 22USD (both Amazon Japan prices).
I should have bought the Ultegra chain not the fake KMC.
05-13-24, 10:16 PM
#116
Senior Member
All of the above matches what I saw on ZFC, the thinner, higher speed chains last longer. Counterintuitive (and I think may be counter to old advice on Sheldon Brown), until the reasons are known. I think I'll mosey over to SB and see if their durability advice has changed. It's also a question if thinner, higher speed cassette cogs are also more durable.
EDIT: From Sheldon Brown:
So yes, dated and obsolete advice, but that's rare on SB (updates by John Allen), they're usually pretty good.
EDIT: From Sheldon Brown:
Narrow chains bring other problems, though. They are usually more expensive and -- with 10 or more speeds -- don't last as long -- even when used in the intended system.
Last edited by Duragrouch; 05-13-24 at 10:20 PM.
