Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?

[Lotnik]

I’ve been a silent observer on various forums discussing different frame options, and eventually decided on the TT-X68. Unfortunately, I now regret that choice—here’s why.
I placed my order on March 13th, selecting the matte black frame with a glossy black Seraph logo. I was quoted a lead time of 15–20 days. Communication was handled via WhatsApp with Rose.
Aware of potential production delays from others’ experiences, I reached out on April 9th and was told to wait another 7–10 days due to a backlog. I followed up again on April 23rd, only to discover—after several unread messages and eventually emailing Tantan—that Rose had changed her number. I reconnected with her on April 30th and was informed my frame would ship on May 6th, after the Labor Day holiday.
Throughout the process, I remained polite and patient, knowing delays can happen and because I wasn’t in urgent need—I have other bikes to ride. However, on May 6th I received no response. On May 8th, Rose finally replied, saying the frame was ready and she’d send pictures for my review. That’s when I was told the 100/400 handlebar size I initially ordered wasn’t reserved for me. I agreed to wait another week for it to be produced.
Upon reviewing the frame photos and video, I noticed a defect: the middle line of the letter "E" in the logo was missing. I raised this with Rose immediately. On May 10th, she responded that the package had already shipped and claimed the missing line was just hidden under a sticker film that I could peel off. The package arrived on May 23rd—71 days after my order, far from the promised 15–20 days.
Unfortunately, there was no film to remove. Instead, I scratched the paint trying to find it, leaving the logo looking like "SCRAP(H)." Rose’s solution was to send me a new logo to stick on, but that’s not viable—the original logo sticker is embedded deeper in the frame and paint and varnish layers around the logo are rising around the logo. I’m not willing to experiment with DIY fixes on a brand-new frame.
Her latest offer is a $30 refund and a replacement logo, or I can return the frame at my own cost—something I won’t accept. She also mentioned they didn’t charge me for the logo in the first place, which I find irrelevant. I’ve proposed two fair solutions: either they cover the cost of local repainting or handle return shipping.
We’ll see how the conversation continues tomorrow when she’s online again.

Is there any reason you need SERAPH logo instead of SCRAPH logo on your fake Tarmac? 30 USD discount nad additional logo is the right solution in my opinion. It's counterfeit frame. Letters don't change it

[Sander2177]

Did you also got this url for tracking the dpd shipping? http://120.24.110.114:8380/WebTrack

Thats the correct Tracking link

[Sander2177]

I’ve been a silent observer on various forums discussing different frame options, and eventually decided on the TT-X68. Unfortunately, I now regret that choice—here’s why.
I placed my order on March 13th, selecting the matte black frame with a glossy black Seraph logo. I was quoted a lead time of 15–20 days. Communication was handled via WhatsApp with Rose.
Aware of potential production delays from others’ experiences, I reached out on April 9th and was told to wait another 7–10 days due to a backlog. I followed up again on April 23rd, only to discover—after several unread messages and eventually emailing Tantan—that Rose had changed her number. I reconnected with her on April 30th and was informed my frame would ship on May 6th, after the Labor Day holiday.
Throughout the process, I remained polite and patient, knowing delays can happen and because I wasn’t in urgent need—I have other bikes to ride. However, on May 6th I received no response. On May 8th, Rose finally replied, saying the frame was ready and she’d send pictures for my review. That’s when I was told the 100/400 handlebar size I initially ordered wasn’t reserved for me. I agreed to wait another week for it to be produced.
Upon reviewing the frame photos and video, I noticed a defect: the middle line of the letter "E" in the logo was missing. I raised this with Rose immediately. On May 10th, she responded that the package had already shipped and claimed the missing line was just hidden under a sticker film that I could peel off. The package arrived on May 23rd—71 days after my order, far from the promised 15–20 days.
Unfortunately, there was no film to remove. Instead, I scratched the paint trying to find it, leaving the logo looking like "SCRAP(H)." Rose’s solution was to send me a new logo to stick on, but that’s not viable—the original logo sticker is embedded deeper in the frame and paint and varnish layers around the logo are rising around the logo. I’m not willing to experiment with DIY fixes on a brand-new frame.
Her latest offer is a $30 refund and a replacement logo, or I can return the frame at my own cost—something I won’t accept. She also mentioned they didn’t charge me for the logo in the first place, which I find irrelevant. I’ve proposed two fair solutions: either they cover the cost of local repainting or handle return shipping.
We’ll see how the conversation continues tomorrow when she’s online again.

Thanks for sharing your experience — sounds frustrating, but not entirely surprising based on the mixed bag of feedback from purchasers from TanTan

You're absolutely right to point out the inconsistency with the decal. A frame that was supposed to say Seraph but instead says Scraph is clearly not as described, and that alone is grounds for a PayPal dispute.

Honestly, since this is such a blatant SL8 counterfeit, I’ve always been a bit confused as to why anyone would want “Seraph” on it in the first place. I had mine made with no logos at all and just stuck some “S-Works” decals on it — much to the disgust of a few other forum users 

If Tan Tan is only offering $30 or asking the buyer to return the frame at their own expense, that’s not a reasonable resolution — especially considering the cost of removing or respraying a logo.

For anyone in this situation:
If you paid through PayPal, gather the following before opening a dispute:

Invoice or order confirmation showing "Seraph" branding

if PayPal rules in the buyer’s favor in a dispute for “item not as described,” they may require the buyer to return the item at their own cost to receive a full refund — unless:

The seller agrees to cover return shipping (unlikely in this case).

PayPal offers return shipping reimbursement (this program has been discontinued in many countries, but it’s worth checking if it's still active where the buyer is).

The return shipping cost is disproportionately high — in rare cases, PayPal may refund without requiring a return if the cost to ship back is unreasonable relative to the item price, but this is not guaranteed.

What the buyer can do:
Check PayPal’s policy for their country regarding return shipping responsibility.

If return shipping is required, get a tracked shipping quote first to decide if it's worth proceeding.

Consider asking PayPal (during the dispute process) if they can waive the return requirement due to the seller’s clear fault (wrong branding, low-value remedy offered, etc.).

So while PayPal can help, the return cost might still fall on the buyer — unless they successfully argue otherwise during the claim.

Clear photos of the incorrect "Scraph" decal

Screenshots or emails showing your communication with the seller

Then open a case in PayPal’s Resolution Center. If the seller doesn’t resolve it quickly, escalate it to a claim. PayPal usually sides with the buyer in clear cases of “item not as described,” especially when supported by good documentation.

[TidyDinosaur]

Just take the 30 USD and the logo's and maybe put the missing part of the E on there yourself in a contrasting colour. It's not worth losing sleep over and you are never going to win this argument with that crappy company.
It's good you have indicated this problem here. Maybe you can sleep better if you think about them missing some sales because of you.

[glepore]

Yeah, I'd just redo either part of the logo or lay over the whole thing with vinyl-lots of folks do that with the Specialized logos on their sl8s to change the color.
Ride the bike, its excellent and you'll forget about the logo issue.

[Sander2177]

I suppose only Serpah Scraph really who will know  I have never seen a seraph bike myself
And to be fair, I haven’t been in your position myself, so my advice might not be as informed as that of someone more experienced with buying Chinese equipment.

That said, I’d definitely push for more than just $30 USD. Personally, I wouldn't accept such a low-ball offer—I’d go through PayPal and dispute it properly if needed.

The thing is, even if you win the case, you’ll probably still have to pay to ship the item back at you own expense. And how much is that going to cost?
It might be worth getting a shipping estimate first and then seeing if Tan Tan is willing to split the cost. OR see if Tan Tan will arrange shipping there and a you pay half as could be cheaper.
In the UK it would be maybe up to £100gbp and I would rather pay £50 and send the frame back myself than accept $30usd.

[patliean1]

Low key, SCRAPH sounds cooler than SERAPH.

Like some early 2000's punk band.

[TegStone]

I’ve been a silent observer on various forums discussing different frame options, and eventually decided on the TT-X68. Unfortunately, I now regret that choice—here’s why.
I placed my order on March 13th, selecting the matte black frame with a glossy black Seraph logo. I was quoted a lead time of 15–20 days. Communication was handled via WhatsApp with Rose.
Aware of potential production delays from others’ experiences, I reached out on April 9th and was told to wait another 7–10 days due to a backlog. I followed up again on April 23rd, only to discover—after several unread messages and eventually emailing Tantan—that Rose had changed her number. I reconnected with her on April 30th and was informed my frame would ship on May 6th, after the Labor Day holiday.
Throughout the process, I remained polite and patient, knowing delays can happen and because I wasn’t in urgent need—I have other bikes to ride. However, on May 6th I received no response. On May 8th, Rose finally replied, saying the frame was ready and she’d send pictures for my review. That’s when I was told the 100/400 handlebar size I initially ordered wasn’t reserved for me. I agreed to wait another week for it to be produced.
Upon reviewing the frame photos and video, I noticed a defect: the middle line of the letter "E" in the logo was missing. I raised this with Rose immediately. On May 10th, she responded that the package had already shipped and claimed the missing line was just hidden under a sticker film that I could peel off. The package arrived on May 23rd—71 days after my order, far from the promised 15–20 days.
Unfortunately, there was no film to remove. Instead, I scratched the paint trying to find it, leaving the logo looking like "SCRAP(H)." Rose’s solution was to send me a new logo to stick on, but that’s not viable—the original logo sticker is embedded deeper in the frame and paint and varnish layers around the logo are rising around the logo. I’m not willing to experiment with DIY fixes on a brand-new frame.
Her latest offer is a $30 refund and a replacement logo, or I can return the frame at my own cost—something I won’t accept. She also mentioned they didn’t charge me for the logo in the first place, which I find irrelevant. I’ve proposed two fair solutions: either they cover the cost of local repainting or handle return shipping.
We’ll see how the conversation continues tomorrow when she’s online again.

I'll be honest, the way you started this post, I thought you had a catastrophic frame or fork failure.
I don't want to dismiss your feelings; they are valid, you paid for the service, and it didn't deliver as per the requirements.
However, in my humble opinion, you are overreacting.
I'm just here praying that the frame and fork I'll receive won't fail on me and cause a serious injury.
Let's be realistic and adjust our expectations here. It's a Chinese OEM factory that most likely outsources the production of this frame, and they operate via WhatsApp or Email for sales. These things happen.
If you have buyer protection via PayPal you can escalate things.

[Gigi27]

I had mine made with no logos at all and just stuck some “S-Works” decals on it — much to the disgust of a few other forum users 
[/i]

Might be a little bit OT and I don't want to sound confrontational, but could you explain to me the allure of putting these decals on your frame? I truly struggle to understand if it is to look cool or to pretend to have the real deal or something else entirely. I personally am more than ok with buying a frame that takes inspiration from others as long as it is generic looking enough (not Dogma or SL8 or Madone for example, but a Factor or an SL7 or other less conspicuous frames might look the same as dozens others) and personalize it with my own decals, but when the frame is one of a kind I would either get the real one or else I would feel like I'm just trying to impress, especially with such high priced originals.
Again, not to judge but I am truly curious to understand the thought process behind it!

On the topic itself, I feel like I dodged a giant bullet after considering both the X65 and X67 and pulling the plug after some dubious responses from Tantan about production, waiting time, measures and such.

[Sander2177]

No worries at all — you don’t sound confrontational, it’s a fair question.

To be honest, yes — the frame is an SL8 copy, and it’s pretty obvious. There’s no point pretending otherwise. But I’m not trying to fake anything — in fact, I already own a genuine, custom-built SL8, so this isn’t about trying to pass something off.

I had a second bike — a Winspace SLC 2.0 — that I wasn’t riding much. It had a full 12-speed Ultegra Di2 groupset, so I sold the frame and wheels, kept the groupset, and decided to start a new project. I saw Patrick’s thread on this frame and was on and off the fence for a few weeks. In the end, I thought: why not? Build a budget weight-weenie bike and see how it rides compared to the real thing.

So far it’s cost me around £1,500, and for me, the fun is in the build and seeing what performance you can get at that price using parts I already had.

So yes — I like how the SL8 looks, and this frame copies that. But it’s just a personal project, not about showing off or pretending. Just building something fun and different to ride.

[Serge_K]

so this isn’t about trying to pass something off.

not about showing off or pretending. Just building something fun and different to ride.

You do you, and i'm looking forward to your ride report comparing the real SL8 with the X68, but you are putting fake logos on a fake SL8, and you already own a SL8. So you are literally passing a fake SL8 as a SL8 because you're putting a fake logo on a clone, AND you're building the SAME bike

But it just made me laugh, what you write and what you're doing are diametrically opposed

Had you put ASS-WORKS, or STUNT DOUBLE logo or something like that, then 100%, but you're not

Again, not hating, and while what you're doing is illegal, you do you. But it's just funny to read your inner dialogue and justification

[Sergey Fly]

I don't understand people who think that $30+sticker is not enough compensation?! Why?
Personally, I would just smile and find it interesting. Not only would I have no complaints, I wouldn't even demand compensation. Personally, I think that's cooler than a factory inscription. It looks nice, sounds interesting. The original inscription has no "brand" value, it's like a set of letters that don't make sense.
Personally, I (looking from the outside) consider the situation more like "consumer terrorism". I notice that in some countries people are so used to consumption and "earning money from protection" that it looks terrible from the outside.
You buy a frame for 10-20% of the brand price, but want to ask for compensation for the emptiness as from the brand!?

It's very funny to read how some people don't accept the fact that people can drive copies, can use stickers and brand inscriptions....
Where does this fetish come from?
There is no competition or loss of profit for the brand, because people are not faced with the choice of a brand or a fake and no one has sold them a fake at the price of the brand.
I have the right to use any symbols and words, colors, shapes and materials that I like.

[Sander2177]

You do you, and i'm looking forward to your ride report comparing the real SL8 with the X68, but you are putting fake logos on a fake SL8, and you already own a SL8. So you are literally passing a fake SL8 as a SL8 because you're putting a fake logo on a clone, AND you're building the SAME bike

But it just made me laugh, what you write and what you're doing are diametrically opposed
 
Had you put ASS-WORKS, or STUNT DOUBLE logo or something like that, then 100%, but you're not

Again, not hating, and while what you're doing is illegal, you do you. But it's just funny to read your inner dialogue and justification

Anything to keep  you amused, Serge_K   

I’m not ashamed to say it — I want to pass it off as the real thing. But if anyone asks about the bike, I’ll be honest and tell them it’s a fake.

Anyway, I’m almost there with the build. The chain is on; just need to index the gears, fit the additional saddle parts (arriving this week), fine-tune the calipers to eliminate any rub, and wrap the bar tape.

I’m away this weekend, so no chance for a proper ride until next week now.

Weighed it as-is — with the TiMaster cassette and uncut bar tape, the bike comes in at 6.43 kg. The TiMaster cassette is for the SL8, but I’ll be fitting a Dura-Ace cassette soon, which is 66g heavier. Once the bar tape is trimmed, it should end up just under 6.5 kg.

[leon.y]

Anything to keep  you amused, Serge_K   

I’m not ashamed to say it — I want to pass it off as the real thing. But if anyone asks about the bike, I’ll be honest and tell them it’s a fake.

Anyway, I’m almost there with the build. The chain is on; just need to index the gears, fit the additional saddle parts (arriving this week), fine-tune the calipers to eliminate any rub, and wrap the bar tape.

I’m away this weekend, so no chance for a proper ride until next week now.

Weighed it as-is — with the TiMaster cassette and uncut bar tape, the bike comes in at 6.43 kg. The TiMaster cassette is for the SL8, but I’ll be fitting a Dura-Ace cassette soon, which is 66g heavier. Once the bar tape is trimmed, it should end up just under 6.5 kg.

Good luck with the front bottle mount 

[Sander2177]

Good luck with the front bottle mount 

Yes its the wrong way round