Counterfeit Zipp product that finds its way to eBay and other sources should be treated with extreme caution. It is not covered under the Zipp warranty, and is subject to potential catastrophic failure.
Counterfeit bars are likely less than our normal weight and are being made and sold outside of our manufacturing control. We wish to alert ALL potential buyers to the danger that these counterfeit bars could pose.
Genuine Zipp handlebars are designed and proven only after stringent manufacturing quality control checks, extensive internal testing and independent EFBe certification. Zipp bars are required to pass the most stringent known standards so as to be safe to ride. We believe there is a very real danger that these fake bars will break or fail and will not support clip-ons and extensions for which Zipp handlebars are specially designed.
We would appreciate hearing from any customers, who feel they may have purchased counterfeit bars, as we try to put a stop to this dangerous and potentially injurious practice.
Could you tell which of these two Zipp handlebars is counterfeit? They appear almost visually identical.
Read on to learn the telltale signs of a counterfeit Zipp handlebar.
Zipp bars come in a distinctive yellow and gray 'sock' cover which is missing from some counterfeit bars.
Notice how the cable groove extends into the clamp area well beyond the yellow line in the counterfeit example (top).
On Zipp's tested and certified bar, the groove starts outside the yellow line.
The yellow and red Zipp warning sticker is clearly missing from the counterfeit bars shown on the left.
The counterfeit is also 20gm lighter is total weight, likely compromising strength and safety.
Genuine Zipp bars have a rough sand paint for improved grip, while this feature is entirely lacking in the counterfeit bar shown on the right.
On the authentic Zipp bar, the woven carbon extends well beyond the yellow line.(top)
The pattern falls short of the line on the counterfeit bar below.
The authentic Zipp bar has an excellent surface quality.
The counterfeit Zipp bar has pin holes and a poor finish.
Many counterfeit bars have multiple cable holes for routing instead of precisely placed and molded cable ports used on genuine Zipp bars.
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