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What is the difference between Shimano 14-28T MF-TZ20 and Shimano MF-TZ500-6 ?

Shimano MF-TZ500-6, Shimano website

Shimano 14-28T MF-TZ20, Ebay shop

Does it mean that "Shimano 14-28T MF-TZ20" (which doesn't appear on shimano website) is fake?

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  • I just saw on an ebay listing that the TZ500 replaced the TZ20. Commented Jan 16, 2022 at 13:04

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They're both freewheels, so likely the design has been around for decades. At this price point in the market, noone really compares features, a user is more interested in specs like max/min toothcount and number of cogs. Thats about it.

Specs are identical - they're both 6 speed with 14 tooth minimum and 28 tooth maximum cogs.

The TZ20 is probably a later version, possibly made in a different way to reduce manufacturing costs. Notice t that the TZ500 has a black large cog, where the TZ20 has the same colour cogs all the way through.

Minor difference is that the TZ20 pictured has a black plastic spoke protector included in the picture, whereas the TZ500 does not show one.


As for being fake, that's always possible given the age of these designs. But there's also minimal profit in these low-end low-value items, and realistically even a fake one should work fine.

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  • if the TZ20 is a later version, why it doesn't appear on Shimano website?
    – Michael D
    Commented Nov 16, 2019 at 19:11
  • @MichaelD that's a question for shimano. I found bike.shimano.com/ko-KR/product/component/tourney/MF-TZ21.html as a korean TZ21, and I also see TZ20 listed in this si.shimano.com/pdfs/si/SI-6NVRA-004-ENG.pdf so it definitely exists/existed. Perhaps even Shimano don't really care much about Tourney contrasted with groupsets at the high end like DuraAce.
    – Criggie
    Commented Nov 16, 2019 at 22:04
  • Thank you @Criggie! Somehow, I would expect more from a respectful manufacturer, even for a basic line.
    – Michael D
    Commented Nov 19, 2019 at 8:57

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