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

[Sander2177]

Well I had a text this morning and it’s looks:


I have good news for you:
For the TT-X68 order that has been paid,
all supply links are running normally,
and your order is progressing steadily.

Thank you for your trust and support for our products,
I wish you a happy life.

Best wishes.
Vivian.

I did question and disruption to production as the quoted 20-25 days meant I get the frame end of April.
Reply was:

20-25 working days.
Please take note. Thank you.
I will report to you when there is an update.
No estimated date at this time. Thank you.


Anyone else with an order have any news or updates?

[tiz92]

I mean yes. As I said I paye on march 13th and a few days ago she told me frame will be send between 12th to 18th April. Lets hope.

[Serge_K]

it sounds like these frames are flying off the shelves. I spoke with a chinese seller saying that chinese factories aren't focused on bikes like the pinarello X or BMC roadmachines because the chinese population is young and wants to ride the bikes from the TDF.
Point being, pretty sure that for those buying these SL8 clones, your money is competing with chinese money, so the whole planet wants that frame. Well done specialized

[Sander2177]

it sounds like these frames are flying off the shelves. I spoke with a chinese seller saying that chinese factories aren't focused on bikes like the pinarello X or BMC roadmachines because the chinese population is young and wants to ride the bikes from the TDF.
Point being, pretty sure that for those buying these SL8 clones, your money is competing with chinese money, so the whole planet wants that frame. Well done specialized

One of the sellers I spoke to yesterday, as I mentioned, said the wait time for an SL8 is around 3–4 months—but he could get me a Dogma F in just 1–2 months.

I also asked about the Scott Addict RC Pro, and he mentioned that the wait would be even longer, since it's not a particularly popular model and isn’t held in stock. It would have to be made and added to the production queue along with the SL8s.

So yes, it seems like everyone is going crazy for the SL8s right now!

I also spoke with another seller—Cherry, I think, from Champion Bicycle or something similar—who said they aren't affected by the long wait times and claimed their frames are high quality. But let’s be honest, they all claim that!

I'm just happy to be back on track with Tan Tan, but I’m taking their timeline with a pinch of salt. Some buyers are still waiting for delivery, but these delays will be out of Tan Tan’s control. Hopefully, they can stick to the 20–25 day production time they’re quoting. It’s also great to hear about other people’s experiences with Tan Tan.

And yes, I am putting Spec decals on the frame—some may not agree, but I’ve got a real SL8, so that’s my excuse! I'm going for matte black decals over a gloss UD carbon frame. These are from Speedy Decals, although I recently found out I can get decals from a Specialized-approved painter in the UK for half the price—so I’ve ordered a set to compare quality.

[Serge_K]

And yes, I am putting Spec decals on the frame—some may not agree, but I’ve got a real SL8, so that’s my excuse!

That reminds me of that Friends episode where Joey buys Porsche gizmos because he wishes he owned the one parked next to the coffee shop
You dont need a stranger on the internet to tell you it's illegal, you do you!

What's really interesting to me is the fascination with the SL8, over everything else. It's got to be the brand at least as much as the performance of the frame. In which case, it's to be expected that people would want to put fake logos on it. I have a president who married a dude, so really, who am i to lecture anyone on false advertising?

[Sander2177]

That reminds me of that Friends episode where Joey buys Porsche gizmos because he wishes he owned the one parked next to the coffee shop
You dont need a stranger on the internet to tell you it's illegal, you do you!

What's really interesting to me is the fascination with the SL8, over everything else. It's got to be the brand at least as much as the performance of the frame. In which case, it's to be expected that people would want to put fake logos on it. I have a president who married a dude, so really, who am i to lecture anyone on false advertising?

  I dont think I am at risk of the authoritied breakimg don my door at 5am!
Plus, it will be subtle

This thing is  I'm a bit of an S-Works fanboy..... or sucker, if prefer
Iv had the SL6, Venge, SL7 and now SL8
Some people are not fans but if you have not had or ridden or owned one how can an opinion be formed.
They have all been great bikes. Well the Venge was a git of a bone rattler...

Out of all the copies the SL8 is probably the lightest available.
And as s weight weenie i want to build one up using less expensive parts and see how light I can get it. I'm pretty confident 6.8kgs or under

[glepore]

I suspect that given the outright trade war, China isn't interested at the moment in protecting any US ip. Can't blame them.

My frame was 60 days from order. However, that included New Years and paint.

I think the interest in this frame has to do with the stellar praise of the actual bike in terms of ride quality in relation to performance. Whether that carries over remains to be seen. The falloff in US demand should help purchasers in your situation.

After some communication back and forth I'm hoping that I don't have a tariff issue. The electronics were shipped DHL due to the batteries so the package should come in under de minimis if it arrives by 5/2.

[Sander2177]

I suspect that given the outright trade war, China isn't interested at the moment in protecting any US ip. Can't blame them.

My frame was 60 days from order. However, that included New Years and paint.

I think the interest in this frame has to do with the stellar praise of the actual bike in terms of ride quality in relation to performance. Whether that carries over remains to be seen. The falloff in US demand should help purchasers in your situation.

After some communication back and forth I'm hoping that I don't have a tariff issue. The electronics were shipped DHL due to the batteries so the package should come in under de minimis if it arrives by 5/2.

Well I did see an American post of a video of Chinese government officials pretty much saying that they can make the same thing better, quicker and cheaper so I think its possible there government has now given industry free rein!  Its also online they are considering giving counterfeiters free rein! So have  a search.

Well I will not lie the SL8 is lovely to ride an it is more comfortable in the rear than the SL7 i was riding the SL8 last year at 95kgs and there was no issue.
Now IM 20kg down inevitably its even more comfortable. A bike can make a difference to comfort but rider weight is also an obvious factor to.

Was not aware of the battery thing as I have ordered a power meter to accompany the wheels and carbon cranks I have ordered.
The supplier was kind enough to source  me the XCADEY PM for $265 and ship it, and had to be shipped separately because of the battery, dont think he knew either 
60 Days sound about right so hopefully my order will not be that long.

[patliean1]

I was speaking to a cycling apparel brand who's factory is based in China. Like the majority of brands. They told me they can't get their new summer collection here to the USA because of the tariffs.

I asked them:
1. The factory wont ship, because they are waiting on how to proceed with the tariffs?
2. Or the factory wants you the brand to simply to pay high price tariffs to release the shipment?

The brand said it's a combination of both - the current tariff is 145%. So there is no way the factory would eat that cost (nor would it be fair to make them eat it). That's basically the brand's entire profit margin. If not more.

I bring all of this up because TanTan would probably fare better in the eye of consumers if they just offered a little more transparency. I don't think the issue is rooted in SL8 IP. It's that they don't wanna eat the tariff costs on prepaid pre-tariff frames, while also not pissing off customers in queue. All they have to say is: "Hey we are waiting on the tariff situation before proceeding."

[glepore]

They don't eat the cost. What's dangerous to the consumer buying with all this uncertainty is that you pay, say 2k for a complete x68. They ship. When it arrives in USA, the shipper either holds it and sends you a bill for the tariff (currently 140% or roughly 1400) plus brokerage fee and cpb fees, or  delivers it then sends you a bill for that amount. YOU, the importer, pay the tariff, not the shipper.

Shippers are using low declared values to qualify for de minimis for now or low buyer expense later, but that's a risky proposition.

[Serge_K]

I'll say it again: come spend cycling holidays in France, we can build your bike there, you cycle for a week or 2, and you fly back You'd land in Geneva and cycle in Jura.

[pandinoyoung]

I think the interest in this frame has to do with the stellar praise of the actual bike

yes, it is said that it goes better than the original.
come on let's fly a little lower

[neobiker]

I'll say it again: come spend cycling holidays in France, we can build your bike there, you cycle for a week or 2, and you fly back You'd land in Geneva and cycle in Jura.

Are you from region?

[Sander2177]

Seems a few of the manufacturers are on hold in China at the moment while they tray to figure out what to do about the tariffs.
Its off topic but I had a message from an OEM (wont say who they are yet)  today asking of I was interested in the Quick Pro frame, which I was surprised about!
Wonder now if everyone who may have excess product is now trying to maybe off load some inventory
They have not given me a price yet but will find out Monday, quite possibly they could be selling at RRP

[Serge_K]

Seems a few of the manufacturers are on hold in China at the moment while they tray to figure out what to do about the tariffs.
Its off topic but I had a message from an OEM (wont say who they are yet)  today asking of I was interested in the Quick Pro frame, which I was surprised about!
Wonder now if everyone who may have excess product is now trying to maybe off load some inventory
They have not given me a price yet but will find out Monday, quite possibly they could be selling at RRP

Interesting, keep us posted! Even for 1k, i wouldn't buy it, going fwd i'd rather buy fast frames with higher stack, i think. With the economy where it is, with the western bike industry where it is, selling a frame for 1.8-1.9k that has very little brand / residual value in the 2nd hand market is a tough sale, i think. The reality is that the markup on a frame at this price point is extremely high, yet the brand value is extremely low. On top of that, this frame looks quite bland, and their aero claims are just vibes, it seems.