Author Topic: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?  (Read 136366 times)

jes2k13

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #675 on: April 20, 2025, 12:24:27 PM »
Prom dress.

Initial impressions, only 15 miles in a 20 mph wind. It's very comfortable for a performance bike, didn't notice the carbon spokes at all, but hey, I've never ridden anything with a really wide (26 int) and a 30. So I'm not qualified.
The position is aggressive, but I'm 65 and can ride it so long as the hoods are reasonably high.
It doesn't feel cheap, that's for sure. Does it feel like an sl8 pro/expert? Dunno. My guess is close.
Wheeltop? Man,it shifts fine. The app is difficult. Press the bluetooth thing or nothing happens. No one tells you that.
The fd shift is low in casual mode. Theres a guy on facebook that has a bootleg app that separates out race mode from sleep(oem app kills sleep if you select race), and I suspect that'll greatly improve fd action. Rear action is plenty quick.

Looks amazing bro congrats on the build!
Just wanted to know which size frame is this beauty? your handlebar stem and width?
and which wheelset is this?
Lastly how is the quality of the speedy decals? are they easy to put on?

fhill

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #676 on: April 20, 2025, 02:20:02 PM »
First 800km in with the bike, rides really great, quite comfortable (not sure if this is my wheelset or the frame). Feels quite stiff nevertheless, but didn't do lots of sprinting with it yet. Only downside is an annoying creaking I can't locate, could be anything from bottom braket to seatpost.

Sander2177

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #677 on: April 20, 2025, 02:21:31 PM »
First 800km in with the bike, rides really great, quite comfortable (not sure if this is my wheelset or the frame). Feels quite stiff nevertheless, but didn't do lots of sprinting with it yet. Only downside is an annoying creaking I can't locate, could be anything from bottom braket to seatpost.


Can we get picture of your build.

Not enough photos on this thread of X68 builds
SL8 Custom Green Over Naked Carbon 54CM 6.11kgs RhinosWorkShop Build
2nd Bike in planning not sure what yet!

fhill

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #678 on: April 20, 2025, 02:36:29 PM »
Here you go :)

Not the perfect picture, because mid of ride :D

Went with 45mm wheels from Easedon, SRAM Red cranks, and Ztto cassette paired with 11s Ultegra di2.

glepore

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #679 on: April 20, 2025, 02:38:41 PM »
Looks amazing bro congrats on the build!
Just wanted to know which size frame is this beauty? your handlebar stem and width?
and which wheelset is this?
Lastly how is the quality of the speedy decals? are they easy to put on?

Its a 49. Saddle height for reference is 67.5. Bars are 110/38. While on that subject, the Rapide is a gorgeous shape, but I'm not sure I like the reach (which is short when I run levers in my preferred up position with a smooth transition from top at bend to lever top-when I try to get forearms on tops not enough reach) or the drop (its a very full drop and I prefer compact). I'm hoping someone clones or comes close to the new Enve integrated bar with the slight rise, I could eliminate a spacer and still be more comfortable.
The wheels are Xiamen Carbon Speed, 50/65, 5mm carbon spokes. 1330g.
Speedy decals are nice, I've used them on a number of projects. Full review of installation a couple posts above. Easy enough if you're not trying to cover an existing logo, which is harder. They will scale the decal up slightly if you're doing that and let them know.

glepore

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #680 on: April 20, 2025, 02:42:17 PM »
First 800km in with the bike, rides really great, quite comfortable (not sure if this is my wheelset or the frame). Feels quite stiff nevertheless, but didn't do lots of sprinting with it yet. Only downside is an annoying creaking I can't locate, could be anything from bottom braket to seatpost.

Funny, I also have a slight creak under power. Suspect I might not have the lockring tight enough.
I know ztto cassettes get grief on ww and other forums, but my gen 2 12 speed has been great so far, as have several OG 11 speed ones. Yeah, the alu cogs eventually wear but at the price they're great.
Is that a D1 or E1 crank?

fhill

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #681 on: April 20, 2025, 02:50:58 PM »
Funny, I also have a slight creak under power. Suspect I might not have the lockring tight enough.
I know ztto cassettes get grief on ww and other forums, but my gen 2 12 speed has been great so far, as have several OG 11 speed ones. Yeah, the alu cogs eventually wear but at the price they're great.
Is that a D1 or E1 crank?

I can exclude the locking of the cassette as it's the same with different wheelsets. Funnily it's only when seated, might be seatpost or saddle. I like the 11s casettes from Ztto all Gen2 really well, they shift quite well and I don't worry about their wear that much. It's the "old" Red crank so should be D1.

dovh

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #682 on: April 20, 2025, 03:03:37 PM »
I can exclude the locking of the cassette as it's the same with different wheelsets. Funnily it's only when seated, might be seatpost or saddle. I like the 11s casettes from Ztto all Gen2 really well, they shift quite well and I don't worry about their wear that much. It's the "old" Red crank so should be D1.

I also get creaking/clicking while seated, and it's most likely the seat post clamp against the top tube. It happens while I pedal, so with lateral pressure on the seat post and clamp. I didn't grease the clamp as described in the SL8 manual. I only put carbon paste on the seatpost. I will do it this week and report here if that helped.
In my experience, the creaking and clicking go away after reclamping the seat, and it comes back after a while. I did a 100k ride today, and by the end of the ride, it was creaking/clicking quite a lot. I got home and re-clamped it, and the noise is gone, so the noise is most likely from there.
« Last Edit: April 20, 2025, 03:07:12 PM by dovh »

Sander2177

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #683 on: April 20, 2025, 03:07:41 PM »
Here you go :)

Not the perfect picture, because mid of ride :D

Went with 45mm wheels from Easedon, SRAM Red cranks, and Ztto cassette paired with 11s Ultegra di2.

Good man!
Looks lovely
SL8 Custom Green Over Naked Carbon 54CM 6.11kgs RhinosWorkShop Build
2nd Bike in planning not sure what yet!

glepore

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #684 on: April 20, 2025, 04:08:04 PM »
I also get creaking/clicking while seated, and it's most likely the seat post clamp against the top tube. It happens while I pedal, so with lateral pressure on the seat post and clamp. I didn't grease the clamp as described in the SL8 manual. I only put carbon paste on the seatpost. I will do it this week and report here if that helped.
In my experience, the creaking and clicking go away after reclamping the seat, and it comes back after a while. I did a 100k ride today, and by the end of the ride, it was creaking/clicking quite a lot. I got home and re-clamped it, and the noise is gone, so the noise is most likely from there.

Yeah, that could well be the culprit. I didn't grease the wedge parts, and only put paste on the seatpost, while the manual calls for paste between the wedge and the bare carbon, which makes sense...
RTFM