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

[Serge_K]

Yes I ride a lot with yearsly also 400.000m elevation and rac(ed) a lot with a usually around 20h of training per week. Thus I know my Tarmac SL7 very very well. I was also a bit sceptical about the chinese frames. But recently I bought a Carbonda 505 SL as gravel/road bike and i am amazed of how well it rides also compared to my SL7. Thus for only 700 dollars I will give the Seraph a try. I will even stick the same components on it, same wheels, same groupset (found a ultegra 11 speed di2 for cheap from a local Conti riders old second bike), same saddle and most importantly i have also on my SL7 the Roval Rapide cockpit, so I can compare that. I will try to report here.

Still wondering if the 140mm front brake disc will work though.

My good man, please make a dedicated thread here to share your thoughts when you're done. You could break the internet. Genuinely, if you transfer the components, including wheels, tyres, cockpit, given how much you ride, your FTP, the type of riding you do, you comparing a real SL7 to this frame will credibly answer questions almost every one looking at chinese frames is asking. I would even want you on the nero show podcast shooting $hit w Jesse Coyle, because again, you'd be credible.

It's exciting

[jes2k13]

Yes I ride a lot with yearsly also 400.000m elevation and rac(ed) a lot with a usually around 20h of training per week. Thus I know my Tarmac SL7 very very well. I was also a bit sceptical about the chinese frames. But recently I bought a Carbonda 505 SL as gravel/road bike and i am amazed of how well it rides also compared to my SL7. Thus for only 700 dollars I will give the Seraph a try. I will even stick the same components on it, same wheels, same groupset (found a ultegra 11 speed di2 for cheap from a local Conti riders old second bike), same saddle and most importantly i have also on my SL7 the Roval Rapide cockpit, so I can compare that. I will try to report here.

Still wondering if the 140mm front brake disc will work though.

AFAIK default rotor size for SL8 is 160mm for the front fork, so you may need to buy a cheap reverse disc rotor size adapter from 160mm to a 140mm reducer.
Would look forward to your build and experience bro, good luck!

PS Saw this video over at youtube, I can see the guy simply fipped the disc rotor mount;

[tiz92]

My good man, please make a dedicated thread here to share your thoughts when you're done. You could break the internet. Genuinely, if you transfer the components, including wheels, tyres, cockpit, given how much you ride, your FTP, the type of riding you do, you comparing a real SL7 to this frame will credibly answer questions almost every one looking at chinese frames is asking. I would even want you on the nero show podcast shooting $hit w Jesse Coyle, because again, you'd be credible.

It's exciting

Haha i can think of that when I have the frame. Either a thread or a good post here. I for sure will abuse the frame, while Im not pushing insane watts (threshold around 335w with 65kg) I am for sure relative competitive.

But yes I cannot wait to have the frame in my hands. Being on the nero show would be maybe a bit to much.

btw if you want to follow me im here on strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/8718766

[fhill]

Have the frame built with Ultegra di2 11s and Onirii pedals, some 45mm deep heavy wheels and S-Works Power, weighs in at 7.2kg.

I'm having an issue with brake caliper mounts on the front, they aren't faced and my LBS says they can't face them because of the unusual length between the both screws.. I think with the Park Tool facing tool this should be fixable, just have to find a bike shop that will do this for me.

I'm excited about the first kilometers on the bike in the next weeks. Can only compare to my SL6 clone from Delihea/Trifox

[Sander2177]

Haha i can think of that when I have the frame. Either a thread or a good post here. I for sure will abuse the frame, while Im not pushing insane watts (threshold around 335w with 65kg) I am for sure relative competitive.

But yes I cannot wait to have the frame in my hands. Being on the nero show would be maybe a bit to much.

btw if you want to follow me im here on strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/8718766

Yep definitely interested in reading some more reviews and maybe some photos.
Was thinking of Taiwan Eisen Frame but again maybe X68. Tan Tab said the manufacture it but who knows.
If we could get some cold hard evidence they did and were not trading frames I might pull the trigger. But will read as I am i no rush to get another frame as I would use as a winter bike in UK anyway

[dovh]

Hey all, we have almost finished the build yesterday.
It's not entirely finished, but I have to wait with the handlebar tape until I get to the bike fit guy to set it up properly for me.
Here is the photo of the almost finished bike. It weighs a little over 8kg in size 58 and has quite heavy wheels and tires. With better wheels and tires that I hope to get soonish(tm), I should be able to save around 500-550g with that alone.

Some notes from building the bike. Brakes, we're not that hard to center. It took some finicking, but my friend managed to do it in about 20 minutes or so. Routing cables and hoses were also not that hard, but be careful so you don't drop the metal plate holding the front derailleur in the seat post tube. It was a pain to finagle it back in place.. Otherwise, everything was relatively straightforward. The headtube was finished nicely, and the bearing sat firmly there with no play. Also, the gap under the spacers is not bad after compressing it (see picture). 

Can't attach pictures here. It crashes the page, so it's here on google drive - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AEk9xj3Kvf6tfcz9mtWzV21S3gj--7qY?usp=sharing

[fhill]

Hey all, we have almost finished the build yesterday.
It's not entirely finished, but I have to wait with the handlebar tape until I get to the bike fit guy to set it up properly for me.
Here is the photo of the almost finished bike. It weighs a little over 8kg in size 58 and has quite heavy wheels and tires. With better wheels and tires that I hope to get soonish(tm), I should be able to save around 500-550g with that alone.

Some notes from building the bike. Brakes, we're not that hard to center. It took some finicking, but my friend managed to do it in about 20 minutes or so. Routing cables and hoses were also not that hard, but be careful so you don't drop the metal plate holding the front derailleur in the seat post tube. It was a pain to finagle it back in place.. Otherwise, everything was relatively straightforward. The headtube was finished nicely, and the bearing sat firmly there with no play. Also, the gap under the spacers is not bad after compressing it (see picture). 

Can't attach pictures here. It crashes the page, so it's here on google drive - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AEk9xj3Kvf6tfcz9mtWzV21S3gj--7qY?usp=sharing

I also dropped that metal plate holding the front derailleur plate into the seat tube absolute pain to get that back

[glepore]

Have the frame built with Ultegra di2 11s and Onirii pedals, some 45mm deep heavy wheels and S-Works Power, weighs in at 7.2kg.

I'm having an issue with brake caliper mounts on the front, they aren't faced and my LBS says they can't face them because of the unusual length between the both screws.. I think with the Park Tool facing tool this should be fixable, just have to find a bike shop that will do this for me.

I wonder if its actually "unusual" or just a copy of Specialized unique spacing to the Aetheos and SL8. I'm curious-are you running 160 up front and did the frame ship with the appropriate adapter to make that work?

[fhill]

I wonder if its actually "unusual" or just a copy of Specialized unique spacing to the Aetheos and SL8. I'm curious-are you running 160 up front and did the frame ship with the appropriate adapter to make that work?

I don't know whether it's the same spacing as Specialized or different from their spacing.

They did ship with the adapter for 160mm, I will ride with 160mm disc in the front

[BeR]

I also dropped that metal plate holding the front derailleur plate into the seat tube absolute pain to get that back

For future user, you can have a look at pages 20, 21 and 22 of the Tarmac SL8 manual. It explains how to install it.

[dovh]

I wonder if its actually "unusual" or just a copy of Specialized unique spacing to the Aetheos and SL8. I'm curious-are you running 160 up front and did the frame ship with the appropriate adapter to make that work?

Yes, you get the proper adapter for the 160mm rotor. You can see it in the picture below. I also set it up with 160mm in the back, and I used the Shimano flat mount adapter that was provided with the 105 di2 kit I got.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZahWCEys7QcntiSH_ZXIWIQdF5lDjy_k/view?usp=drive_link

[CARLOS5]

We also had issues with the brake calipers settling in. This can be fixed with the specific tool, but we could let Tantan know about this problem so they can fix it, since quite a few of us have had it. It also happens on 12k bikes.

[tiz92]

Yes, you get the proper adapter for the 160mm rotor. You can see it in the picture below. I also set it up with 160mm in the back, and I used the Shimano flat mount adapter that was provided with the 105 di2 kit I got.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZahWCEys7QcntiSH_ZXIWIQdF5lDjy_k/view?usp=drive_link

Ok so and to use 140mm rotors you turn it around or you need another adapter? Or do you use the normal one of shimano?

[dovh]

Ok so and to use 140mm rotors you turn it around or you need another adapter? Or do you use the normal one of shimano?

I believe you can't use the 140mm front brake rotor. I don't know how that would work with this adapter. I don't think turning it around or something would work.
I remember when I was putting on the front brake caliper, I tested the Shimano adapter that came with the calipers, and that seemed to fit, so maybe 140mm could work.

[tiz92]

I believe you can't use the 140mm front brake rotor. I don't know how that would work with this adapter. I don't think turning it around or something would work.
I remember when I was putting on the front brake caliper, I tested the Shimano adapter that came with the calipers, and that seemed to fit, so maybe 140mm could work.

OKay I see. I think there remains nothing left as to try for myself once I have the frame.