Sure lots of you have seen these already but would hate to see a RetroBiker caught out by the scum peddling these potentially lethal fakes. They're easy to spot, carbon wrap 90mm, branded as Ritchey WCS and FSA and they crack.

They may well be getting sold under other brands and I think there are dodgy bar-ends as well, post them up here if you find them.

This lowlife has them regularly:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RITCHEY-WCS-C ... 20cf3f6c71

Please report any you find to ebay as they are currently doing absolutely nothing despite the obvious implications of one snapping.

They're easy to spot as the carbon wrap is only in the centre section and the steerer clamp is an ugly wedge shape thus:

When did one snap? I reported that one. I dont know the differences though. The steerer clamp is normally round on these?

Yeah, the fat 'V' clamp gives them away along with the way the carbon wrap only goes around the middle.

Lad on the road section had one arrive already cracked!

Might be worth reporting to Ritchey?

...........

If you confuse that with a real WCS stem, you're doing something wrong

I think he means late model WCS stem dude, assuming you werent taking the piss, I which case.

I've put it in all sections to catch as many folks as possible, but yes, that's a pretty clear distinction...

Just a bump to remind folks to steer clear of this thieving scumbag:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RITCHEY-WCS-C ... 35c4b42069

Although the idea of buying one for collection is getting more and more tempting!

Hmmm, I was tempted to get one of these to go with the Superlogic bars and seatpost I have but now this has got me worried that those items are also fakes as I got them from Ebay sellers - will have to do a bit of backtracking to see if its the same guy. How do you tell unless you have a known genuine part to compare against ? The bars and seatpost I have certainly look like the genuine articles and spec wise are there too in terms of weight. I guess they're both made from carbon fibre (or recycled LPs ?) so hopefully a different material which is better even if fake rather than cheapo alloy hidden under the carbon wrap. Now not sure I want to ride with either of them ???

This is just the kind of worrying I've been doing too (not to mention bidding against you most likely!), but as far as I've seen it's this specific stem and the bar ends. Not aware of fake Superlogic and the weight is probably a good indicator.

It's a horrible feeling not being able to trust anything though and makes me disinclined to buy anything from sellers in the Far East which is a terrible way to think!