PSA: Zipp handlebars - make sure they're real

Triathlon Forum
1

I bought a set of Zipp Vuka Sprint handlebars in April of last year from the ST classifieds and during yesterday’s ride I noticed that they had developed a crack at the front edge by where the brake cable exit port is. These bars have never been crashed, but they have been subjected to a healthy dose of sprints. Before I went to my LBS to see if there was any way to get them warrantied (which I was doubtful of anyways), something told me to check Zipp’s website to make sure that my bars weren’t fake. Turns out that my bars are indeed fake. I had never noticed it before, but Z logo on the front of the bars is slightly off angle. Also, there is no Zipp band on either side of the clamp area. Finally, no laser engraved serial number. I am just glad that I noticed this before anything bad happened. I noticed it at the beginning of my ride and by the end of the ride the length of the crack doubled in length.

More info here: http://www.zipp.com/support/warranty/counterfeit.php

Here is a pic:
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee206/pritchet74/Mobile%20Uploads/BAABDE02-12D5-4E98-AB5B-F296B8A34F0C_zpsy21lxtzh.jpg

2

wow

yeah a counterfeit carbon, aero, handlebar is like the last thing in the world you want! heh

3

It’s a good thing that my new Specialized S-Works Aerofly Carbon bars arrived today (purchased from a Specialized dealer). Now I just need to re-wire my Di2 buttons for it…

4

Did the seller here knowingly sell counterfeit goods, or had they also been duped?

5

I’d like to think that someone had no idea what they were selling. I could see how a counterfeit set of bars would pass through a couple hands and no one knows the better eventually.

6

there seems to be lots on ebay
.

7

Yeah, sadly this does seem to be becoming more and more common. Haven’t been to zipps site recently, but I know for certain 3T has a tutorial on their website how to spot the fake.