To start with the conclusion, I received a response from Specialized's technical team indicating that it appears to be genuine. Of course, since I didn't send the actual item for verification but rather received the response based on attached images, it's not a 100% guarantee, but I'm going to consider it genuine and plan to install and use it.
I recently purchased a Rapid Handlebar secondhand (non-integrated model), and the boundary line of the surface protrusion is very clearly visible. However, in the review images posted at authorized retailers, the boundary line is not clearly visible.
I sent an inquiry email to Specialized's technical team, but the response took a while to arrive (after about a month and a half due to a backed-up queue, I finally received a response). I also posted on the forum seeking help from other users, and almost everyone responded that it looks like a counterfeit, whether it differs depending on the production period.
While it would be best to see and compare an actual genuine product in person, the nearest Specialized retailer near my house is about an hour away by car, so visiting seems difficult. Additionally, since I don't frequent the store or make purchases there, it felt improper to suddenly visit just to see the product. Instead, I gathered product images from purchase reviews, blog reviews, YouTube videos, and anywhere I could find them.
Some images showed the boundary line as clearly visible as what I have, while other images had no visible boundary line at all. I concluded that there are differences depending on the production period, and there is significant influence from camera angle, lighting angle, lighting intensity, and other factors. So I decided to wait for Specialized's technical team response.
Fortunately, I received a response from Specialized's technical team confirming that it appears to be genuine, and I plan to install it this weekend. I'm posting this thinking there may be others with the same concerns. The attached images are close-up photos of my Rapid Handlebar and a screenshot of the response I received from Specialized.
