Counterfeit Shimano SPD-SL cleats - do I have some?

[BdaGhisallo]

Has anyone come across counterfeit SPD-SL cleats before?

I am wondering if I have a few sets. The cleat on the left is what I have always gotten in the box with a new set of DA pedals. The cleat on the right is what I bought on Amazon or Ebay (it's been a while).

The cleat on the right is ever so slightly bigger than the one on the left. It works just fine in a pedal but it won't fit into the Ergon cleat tool that I have. Does it look like a genuine Shimano cleat? I can't imagine why Shimano would move the location of their logo and the product name but it has been some time since I bought a new set of pedals and looked at the cleats to see if there's been a running change in what they're supplying.

At this point I am more curious than anything.

Cheers.

[joeminglin]

All my blue cleats look like the one on the right. My yellow cleats are similar to the left. No issues with any of them.

[Davist]

I've given up on buying cleats from Ebay, they were mostly knockoffs. The "new" ones come in cardboard vs plastic clamshell if that helps.. I know not much help.

[skouri1]

im due for a new set soon. Id just buy them from a bike shop or a reputable online dealer--not amazon or ebay, in my opinion.
not worth counterfeit cleats. They will wear /break much quicker.

[mcteague]

The official stuff now comes in cardboard boxes and has a QR code on the side. Scanning it verifies authenticity. Pretty elaborate. The cleats have the line on the front like the one on the right.

Tim

[openwheelracing]

packaging doesn't matter it can be replicated easily. Unfortunately the counterfeit cleats look genuine. I wouldn't be surprised if they work better. I once compared a R7000 pedal set purchased from Walmart market place to genuine R7000 pedals. The genuine pedals make audible "clicks" during adjustment while the replica doesn't. The replica cleats actually look better with better finishing than the genuine article.

By the way not all Shimano yellow cleats are made equal, the one from R8000 has better hardware and lasts a lot longer.

[dddd]

Originally Posted by openwheelracing

packaging doesn't matter it can be replicated easily. Unfortunately the counterfeit cleats look genuine. I wouldn't be surprised if they work better. I once compared a R7000 pedal set purchased from Walmart market place to genuine R7000 pedals. The genuine pedals make audible "clicks" during adjustment while the replica doesn't. The replica cleats actually look better with better finishing than the genuine article.

By the way not all Shimano yellow cleats are made equal, the one from R8000 has better hardware and lasts a lot longer.

No way would the knock-offs be better, the design research and molds cost real money to do it right and Shimano consistently makes such investments as part of their generally thorough R&D.
Not that the copycats aren't making lots of money on knock-off cleats. They often add one or two spare sets of cleats to entice buyers into buying their knocked-off "Shimano" SPD-SL pedals!

The appearance of the molded parts here can be deceptive in terms of their actual quality, because the better, higher-strength resins are often much more difficult to mold cleanly due to their higher viscosity.

The legit companies have significant assets in their affluent markets which could be seen as "deep pockets" for a liability attorney to go after. So between them and any insurance underwriters, the standards on quality control will logically tend to be much higher than the knocker-offer's quality control over their materials, processes and end-product.

[iPaul]

As some who’s spent many years in the plastic molding field, I approve this message

Also, had older lower level new spd-SL pedals that came with black hardware.

[m_sasso]

How common are Shimano counterfit brake rotors? Seem like these would be a reasonably uncomplicated item to knock off?

[dddd]

Originally Posted by m_sasso

How common are Shimano counterfit brake rotors? Seem like these would be a reasonably uncomplicated item to knock off?

The laminated rotors would seem to be very hard to knock off.

[5oakterrace]

I have the counterfeits. They must be. I installed them and went on the rollers. I could not clip out! Given I was recovering from a broken ankle and torn Achilles I was fearful of twisting that foot excessively. Even holding onto a wall I could not clip out. Had to panic call for my wife to help me. I ended up taking out a knife to scape away material to enable the click out. Absolutely no visible difference between these and older ones that I could see. These things must be made to very exacting standards.

[BdaGhisallo]

Originally Posted by 5oakterrace

I have the counterfeits. They must be. I installed them and went on the rollers. I could not clip out! Given I was recovering from a broken ankle and torn Achilles I was fearful of twisting that foot excessively. Even holding onto a wall I could not clip out. Had to panic call for my wife to help me. I ended up taking out a knife to scape away material to enable the click out. Absolutely no visible difference between these and older ones that I could see. These things must be made to very exacting standards.

Can you post a pic of your counterfeits for us?

[Veloo]

The markings on the bag in this vid do look like the ones on mine.
Looks like black hardware too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14HKYkxRIkw

[GregL]

It's timely that this thread was resurrected. I just ordered a new set of SH11 cleats from an authorized Shimano dealer. A quick look at eBay showed literally dozens of likely counterfeit cleat sets at very low prices. Caveat emptor!

Greg

[Rpoole8537]

Originally Posted by mcteague

The official stuff now comes in cardboard boxes and has a QR code on the side. Scanning it verifies authenticity. Pretty elaborate. The cleats have the line on the front like the one on the right.

Tim

Yes, I bought some recently from REI and they were in a box. I bought a pair of fakes a few years ago and decided to never use them. I crash at age 67 is not worth the $15 I saved. I use MTB pedals on my trainers and spin bike.