Are these KMC chains on ebay real or fake?

[mtechnica]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/KMC-X11SL-DLC-Bike-11Speed-114Links-Shimano-Sram-New-Black/174412028596?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

[oldpotatoe]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/KMC-X11SL-DLC-Bike-11Speed-114Links-Shimano-Sram-New-Black/174412028596?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

What makes you think they are fake?

I used to buy bulk chains, like 10 in plastic bags...no packaging. I suspect these are OEM resale.

[jamesdak]

I don't see anything obvious but every KMC chain I've used has been 116 links not 114. Maybe these are different. There is the misspelling also.

I was thinking that was a bulk of X numbers then realized that's just one crazy expensive chain.

[RoosterCogset]

One oddity in the listing is the 114 links mention (usually these are listed as 116 links). Shipping and duties not included. You may be close to just as well off buying through a more known entity such as Planet Cyclery.

[glepore]

Fake. I don't buy chains outside of normal supply channels any longer because of this. They might be fine, they might not.

[oldpotatoe]

One oddity in the listing is the 114 links mention (usually these are listed as 116 links). Shipping and duties not included. You may be close to just as well off buying through a more known entity such as Planet Cyclery.

Well, Planet Cyclery is known for buying and reselling gray, alternative supply chain, stuff. Why some of their prices are so good so....:)

[primov8]

I've been using KMC's DLC X11SL chains since they first came out back in 2014. They've always been 116 links.

[oldpotatoe]

I've been using KMC's DLC X11SL chains since they first came out back in 2014. They've always been 116 links.

I still think these are OEM resells..the seller can get OEM chains, then puts them in a baggie to resell..why 114links vs 116, IMHO.

[eddief]

one chain for $72.79?

[Velocipede]

I still think these are OEM resells..the seller can get OEM chains, then puts them in a baggie to resell..why 114links vs 116, IMHO.

Not sure these are real but I could be wrong. But I've never seen the DLC in OE or Bulk. The regular SL, yes, but never the DLC's.

[oldpotatoe]

one chain for $72.79?

They are over $100 in some places..:eek:'Normal' $108..
https://planetcyclery.com/kmc-x11dl-chain-12-x-11128-11-speed-116-links-blackceleste-chn1101-117?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsJn8r6yR7QIVB77ACh0pnAksEAQY AyABEgJPqfD_BwE

[mtechnica]

Not sure these are real but I could be wrong. But I've never seen the DLC in OE or Bulk. The regular SL, yes, but never the DLC's.

Yeah elsewhere they are expensive/often out of stock too.

[mtechnica]

one chain for $72.79?

DLC coating is not cheap, and they’re nice chains. The real ones are anyway

Still not sure about these.

[Ralph]

I always see the standard package ones for retail at 116 links. But bulk sales have been 114 for many years. 114 is enough (or 112) for most road bikes.

[glepore]

look closely at the photo, and the photo of the chain in the ad, and the photo on kmc's website. There are diagonal marks on the sideplates that are missing, along with a heavy chamfer on the link outer plate.

[Velocipede]

look closely at the photo, and the photo of the chain in the ad, and the photo on kmc's website. There are diagonal marks on the sideplates that are missing, along with a heavy chamfer on the link outer plate.

I can see the X shaping on the outer plates.

[primov8]

look closely at the photo, and the photo of the chain in the ad, and the photo on kmc's website. There are diagonal marks on the sideplates that are missing, along with a heavy chamfer on the link outer plate.

+1. Also, all of the KMC X11SL chains are hollow-pinned.

[Velocipede]

+1. Also, all of the KMC X11SL chains are hollow-pinned.

If you look closely, these are hollow also. BUT, some of the pins are silver or the inside is silver. A TRUE DLC Chain would not have this issue. They are black all the way thru. I am calling fake now OR!! These could be grey market ones that are being sold out the back door. They didn't meet QC checks and someone is selling them. We had that at American Classic for awhile. Was a huge nightmare when it happened.

[eddief]

= money in wallet

They are over $100 in some places..:eek:'Normal' $108..
https://planetcyclery.com/kmc-x11dl-chain-12-x-11128-11-speed-116-links-blackceleste-chn1101-117?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsJn8r6yR7QIVB77ACh0pnAksEAQY AyABEgJPqfD_BwE

[Mark McM]

If you look closely, these are hollow also. BUT, some of the pins are silver or the inside is silver. A TRUE DLC Chain would not have this issue. They are black all the way thru. I am calling fake now OR!! These could be grey market ones that are being sold out the back door.

I think you could be jumping to conclusions - not that you are necessarily wrong, there's just not enough evidence to support your conclusions.

The issue of the "silver" inside the hollow pins could be just a matter of lighting. The question of 114 vs. 116 links could be error in the spec. The chain in the photo is 116 links (115 links plus snap link). So either the chain in the photo is not the one for sale (so you can't draw any conclusions from the photo), or the number of links in the description is in error (meaning the number of links doesn't prove it is a fake). The ebay price is low, but no lower than some legitimate sources, like Merlin Cycles (https://www.merlincycles.com/en-us/kmc-x10-sl-dlc-10-speed-chain-150067.html?utm_campaign=googlebase-US&utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=shopping&utm_term=Road+Bike+Chains+%26+Chain+Accessories+&ucpo=78784).

Is the ebay KMC DLC chain real or fake? It's hard to say. In either case, it is probably not a good bargain, as KMC's DLC chains have not tested (https://cyclingtips.com/2019/12/the-best-bicycle-chain-durability-and-efficiency-tested/) well, in either longevity or friction, and KMC's lower price chains have often tested better.

[mtechnica]

I think you could be jumping to conclusions - not that you are necessarily wrong, there's just not enough evidence to support your conclusions.

The issue of the "silver" inside the hollow pins could be just a matter of lighting. The question of 114 vs. 116 links could be error in the spec. The chain in the photo is 116 links (115 links plus snap link). So either the chain in the photo is not the one for sale (so you can't draw any conclusions from the photo), or the number of links in the description is in error (meaning the number of links doesn't prove it is a fake). The ebay price is low, but no lower than some legitimate sources, like Merlin Cycles (https://www.merlincycles.com/en-us/kmc-x10-sl-dlc-10-speed-chain-150067.html?utm_campaign=googlebase-US&utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=shopping&utm_term=Road+Bike+Chains+%26+Chain+Accessories+&ucpo=78784).

Is the ebay KMC DLC chain real or fake? It's hard to say. In either case, it is probably not a good bargain, as KMC's DLC chains have not tested (https://cyclingtips.com/2019/12/the-best-bicycle-chain-durability-and-efficiency-tested/) well, in either longevity or friction, and KMC's lower price chains have often tested better.

The ones at Merlin are 10 speed chains, that’s why they are cheap.

Anyway I like KMC chains in general and usually get the ti nitride ones.

[Xicaboy]

I ordered some Shimano Ultegra CN HG-901 chain last year ($23.64) on Ebay, in a legit looking box and upon receipt and inspection, the PN, etc. was on BOTH chainplate sides. The inner plastic wrap was thin and looked like it had been handled roughly and was uncharacteristic of a Shimano product. Contacted the seller to return it and got a refund but they did not want the chain returned. Clearly a fake that wasn’t worth their trouble to get back.

[RoosterCogset]

The ones at Merlin are 10 speed chains, that’s why they are cheap.


Merlin is still relatively cheaper than some other sources for the 11s chains. Though freight may make it pointless unless you add enough other stuff to get to whatever free shipping threshold they have these days.
https://www.merlincycles.com/en-us/kmc-x11-sl-dlc-11-speed-chain-150082.html

[tctyres]

114 vs 116? Meeh. I think that is not a problem. I have bought both 114 and 116 chains from reputable dealers ... basically the same chain, though I can't remember details.

I think these are something like the short cage oem chains.

[fmradio516]

I did buy a SRAM 12s GX chain on ebay, not realizing it was a few links shorter than normal. didnt think anything of it since it was labeled as New. Well i got it and it wasnt long enough for my mtn bike. That was a pain, but a lesson learned.