COUNTERFEIT AWARENESS

COUNTERFEIT AWARENESS

At Specialized, our love for cycling runs deep and it shows in everything we do. We're just like you - passionate riders who always strive to improve the experience for ourselves and our community. Safety is a big deal for us, not just because we ride our own bikes, but because we consider all our customers to be part of our cycling family. So you can bet we take it personally when it comes to counterfeit products. That's why we're dedicated to stopping counterfeiters in their tracks. This guide is here to help you identify and steer clear of them.

WHAT IF I'VE BOUGHT A COUNTERFEIT PRODUCT

If you even have the slightest suspicion that you've bought a counterfeit product or come across something fishy online, let us know at [email protected]. Why? Because your safety matters to us, and counterfeit products are a huge risk. The best way to avoid the counterfeits altogether is to shop at an authorized Specialized Retailer or directly on Specialized.com. That way, you can be sure you're getting safe, authentic Specialized products.

HOW TO SPOT A FAKE

•   Missing Authentic stickers or badging
•   Flimsy, poorly printed packaging
•   Large fonts, misspelled words
•   Poor construction quality
•   Cheap looking materials
•   Loose stitching
•   Abnormally large logos
•   Includes other brand logos
•   Huge discount price

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IDENTIFYING COUNTERFEIT PRODUCTS

Examples of counterfeit products, and ways to identify them, are shown below (marked by a red X). If you’ve purchased a product that looks like any of these counterfeit examples, please contact Specialized Brand Security for authentication.

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Helmets

Counterfeit helmets do not have Specialized internal roll cages and cannot withstand impacts to keep a rider safe.
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Snell Sticker

Counterfeit helmets sold in the USA often lack the blue SNELL sticker.
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Labels

Counterfeit Prevail helmets often show pin steam vents and are usually labeled with SM/MD sizing rather than horizontal steam vents and MD sizing. SM/MD sizing is not an indication of a fake, in and of itself, but they are incredibly rare outside of Asian or Brazillian markets.
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Helmet Strap

Counterfeit Prevail and S-Works Evade helmets often have sloppy strap construction. The Specialized logo on the plastic piece can be incorrect, sometimes backwards, and have the wrong font. Stitching, meanwhile, is oftentimes messy and loose.
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Bottom Bracket

Counterfeit frames have an incorrect bottom bracket—most of them are threaded. Real Specialized bearings will not fit.
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Serial Number

Counterfeit frames lack a serial number on the bottom of the frame or have a sequence starting with letters, like "GK." Many fake Venge or Tarmac frames have the serial number WSBC604292544K.
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Hardware

Counterfeit frames typically have incorrect hardware, including the seatpost clamp and top cap. These parts are often missing proper inscriptions. A real Specialized headset will not fit in a counterfeit frame.
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Graphics

Counterfeit Aerofly and Venge VIAS handlebars are very flexible. They can often be broken with a strong, bare-handed flex test. Aerofly bars and mountain bike handlebars with large red or silver graphics are certainly counterfeit. Specialized has never made bars with these graphics.
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Jersey

Authentic Specialized jerseys do not have other brand logos on the garment unless it is an official pro team jersey, which are very limited. Use commonsense with apparel. Authentic Specialized jerseys and shorts are not sold as a set for ridiculously cheap prices.
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Shorts

Counterfeit shorts can be identified by the pad. They are often low quality and not in the correct position for providing riders comfort. Many will have "COOLMAX™" impressed on the chamois, which they do not actually contain.
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Gloves

The easiest way to identify counterfeit gloves is by the price. Generally, the regular retail price for authentic Specialized gloves starts at $25. Counterfeit gloves typically have many incorrect, or over-sized, logos on them.
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Saddle

A bare carbon saddle is a counterfeit product.
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Cable Routing

Counterfeit Aerofly bars often have poorly made derailleur cable entry holes. Authentic bars have a visible cable support shelf.
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Tags

Jerseys and shorts are the most common counterfeit Specialized products, and are made in many different countries. One of the easiest ways to identify a counterfeit product is by the tag.

HOW TO REPORT COUNTERFEIT PRODUCTS

If you suspect you've purchased a counterfeit product, or you see suspicious products for sale online, please report it to [email protected].