I've had quite a few questions on how to tell a real from counterfeit 11 speed Shimano chain. I've come up with 5 consistent, easy ways to tell if a chain is fake (Plus a few extra) without even opening the plastic bag, so if you discover you received a fake, you can hopefully send it back for a return!
#1 - The HG-EV text on the front of the box is very blocky and doesn't match the text of HG-X11 just below.
#2- On the backside of the box, genuine Shimano chains say "Shimano North America INC.", while the fake chain box says "Shimano American corporation".
#3 - A genuine Shimano chain will have the quick link in a separate bag from the chain. The fake chains have the quick link inside the bag with the chain.
#4 - Genuine Shimano chains have different cuts on the front facing side of the chain (the side with text), compared to the backside of the chain that faces to the inside of the bike. The inside has a long and short cut on the edges of the outer plates. Other than the text, the fake chains are the same front to back.
#5 - The picture of the quick link on the upper left hand corner of the back side of the box is very pixelated on the fake chain box compared to a very clear image on the real Shimano chain.
