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

[Sander2177]

I don't think that the current production Rapide's have the textured tops. I think you're correct though about the topcap, maybe could be fixed with a little file...

glepore your right!
Ok wonder why that is maybe if I read the WW forum maybe I could find out but can’t be arsed 
Well my rapides are a more grey anyway agains the black will lost a few more photos when I get in!

[Sander2177]

Ok Bars

I’ll double-check when I get new scales , but weight is 228g on Micky mouse scales .
Size is 380mm wide, 110mm stem.

The Rovals are grey with a light finish — you can see some carbon weave through the surface.

The X68 bars are sprayed black. I used to be in the building trade, and to me, they just don’t have the same sharpness in finish.

The top cap area has a slight dip in the middle, and the bar edges aren’t perfectly straight it’s not blatantly noticeable though — there’s a slight bump and a misaligned cable exit hole (luckily underneath), oddly placed right next to the QC sticker.
Obviously with a bit more time these could be finished better but northing to split hairs over once and the bike they will look fine. 

The profiles are subtly different too. From the front edge, the Rovals have a more pronounced contour I would say a more of a point while the X68 front section is more rounded.

Also, the X68 profile feels marginally thicker — maybe by 1mm. The Roval front profile appears slimmer and a bit more refined but we are talking 1mm on the verniers.

[Davidhe23]

Ok the bloody thing has finally arrived!
A few photos sorry there not more organised but did not have much time this evening.
Comments it looks exactly the same.
Head tube is not taller before anyone asks its way I'm holding the phone.
Roval bar I need to look at it's not 100% no groove for head cap to sit onto for a nice flat transition and no textured surface on top.
The tops look wider where the stem meets but have to get the calipers on it.
Waiting for some new scales
But frame was 798G, no hardware.
Forks Uncut 399G
But it will check with better quality scales when they arrive.
First impression well I could have saved £5000k!!

wow, it looks amazing, that raw finish is very nice. Hopefully in the performance comparison it will be a bit similar to the original, after 1500 km I feel it as the stiffest bike I have ever tested, and fast. the other day on a long descent I was able to overtake to my group of cyclists at more than 80km/h. It was amazing to see how people were overtaking without having to use the pedals

[patliean1]

Ok the bloody thing has finally arrived!
First impression well I could have saved £5000k!!

The fate of my X68 dealings lies solely on you now haha 

[Sander2177]

The fate of my X68 dealings lies solely on you now haha

  great not pressure then!

Ok well let’s start with the bars
I’ll double-check when I get the new scales but weight is around 229g on the Micky Mouse scales 
Size is 380mm wide, 110mm stem my genuine are 400x110mm

The Rovals are grey with a light finish — you can see some carbon some UD carbon through the surface.

The X68 bars are finished in black. I used to be in the building trade and have a keen eye for small details and to me, they just don’t have the same sharpness in finish but obviously they came with the frame so it’s expected as they are not £575gbp!

The top cap area has a slight dip in the middle as seen in one photo I may attempt to flatten this out if really necessary.
And the bar edges aren’t perfectly straight you can make it out if you have a good look but if you are glancing at the bars you would never notice it’s barely notable 
The cable entry and exit hole is  well ok the piss! With the QC sticker on it lol but good thing it’s underneath. 
And the top cap areas has not been machined to allow a more seamless fit with the top cap as with the original.
My original bars I purchased  on release and have the textured surface and the X68 do not but glepore pointed out that the current bars do not have this which is correct.

The profiles are subtly different too but this is only noticeable side buy side  When you look down on the top of the bars.


Also, the X68 profile feels marginally thicker — there is not a lot in it on the verniers maybe 1mm but again unless you have the real McCoy next to them you would never know.
The Roval front profile appears slimmer and I would say is blade like where as the X68 appears slightly more  rounded.
I flipped the bars upside down and gave them a squeeze and they feel stiff but I will obviously test this better when I get to ride them.
And the spacers are not a tight fit at the base of the stem there is the collar part from the steers tube to the underside of the stem where the stem is obviously not the same depth and there are gaps either side.  I have ordered a genius kit to see if it’s a tighter fit.

[Sander2177]

Initial Impressions – Frame Side by Side

Side-by-side, the frame looks identical to the genuine article.

Finish is generally okay, though I did notice a few minor ripples in the surface. BB and thru-axle threads had a bit of overspray — nothing major or that would cause issues.

Seatpost slid in without any problems.

One small hiccup: when I reinserted the rear thru-axle, the washer was stuck on the frame. For a moment, I thought it was bonded in. Looks like they fitted it shortly after painting, so it had stuck slightly. A quick flick with a knife sorted it.

The gloss UD finish looks great in my opinion, and I think it’ll look even better once it’s built up.

Like others, I checked inside the head tube, BB shell, and seat tube. Everything looks tidy — obviously that doesn’t guarantee anything structurally, but it’s clean and well-finished inside.

Fork came in at 399g uncut, and the frame is 788g (no hardware). I’ve got some Kern scales arriving soon, so I’ll post a more accurate weight when I get them. For reference, my genuine frame weighs 701g.

[Sander2177]

More photos.
Let me know if you want any more
Photos.
Have everything to build it up so will start next week as I am busy.
But will post build photos.
BB has not been faced like the real SL8 it has been sprayed up to the edge of the BB shell.
The genuine one is machined and you can see the surface carbon around the BB
Brake mounts look ok so far.
I will try and fit the BB as is and hopefully it’s ok.

[Davidhe23]

Initial Impressions - Frame Side by Side

Side-by-side, the frame looks identical to the genuine article.

Finish is generally okay, though I did notice a few minor ripples in the surface. BB and thru-axle threads had a bit of overspray - nothing major or that would cause issues.

Second post life without any problems.

One small hiccup: When I reinserted the rear thru-axle, the washer was stuck on the frame. For a moment, I thought it was bonded in. Looks like they fitted it shortly after painting, so it had stuck slightly. A quick flick with a knife sorted it.

The gloss UD finish looks great in my opinion, and I think it'll look even better once it's built up.

Like others, I checked inside the head tube, BB shell, and seat tube. Everything looks tidy - obviously that doesn't guarantee anything structurally, but it's clean and well-finished inside.

Fork came in at 399g uncut, and the frame is 788g (no hardware). I've got some Kern scales arriving soon, so I'll post a more accurate weight when I get them. For reference, my genuine frame weighs 701g.

Is the frame size 54?

[Cnasta]

[...] reply is to all you last posts

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Thanks for the photo's and the detailed information. I'll be following you build and maybe steal some ideas (as to components).

Is it size 54, and what is your length?

[pandinoyoung]

I don't get the weight of the fork, 399gr. I had read elsewhere if I remember correctly 340gr, less than the weight of the original

[makl]

I don't get the weight of the fork, 399gr. I had read elsewhere if I remember correctly 340gr, less than the weight of the original

Mine was 324 g uncut.

Additional weights: My frame was 843 g (size 56, with hanger), seatpost 163 g (380 mm version), bars 337 g (shortest stem, 380 mm wide).

[Sander2177]

+

Thanks for the photo's and the detailed information. I'll be following you build and maybe steal some ideas (as to components).

Is it size 54, and what is your length?

Yes, it’s a 54cm frame, and I’m 178cm tall.
i might have the frame inspected at Carbon Cycle Solutions, where they can carry out a full carbon health check:

“Thanks for getting in touch with us. We can carry out a full carbon health check of your frame and forks, which includes a comprehensive written report and associated imagery.
We use a combination of microscopic and endoscopic cameras to check the inner and outer surfaces of each tube. Should anything be picked up, we will then use ultrasound to further investigate the area.”

I’ve got quite an extensive list of upgrades lined up, so I’m hoping the frame checks out!

Planned Upgrades:
Titanium Upgrade Kit for brake callipers

Shimano K05Ti resin pads

TI Master titanium rear derailleur pivot bolt

TI Master titanium shifter clamps

Chaser direct mount hanger (aluminium)

Chaser front brake mount (aluminium)

Galfer Wave centre lock brake rotors – 140mm & 160mm with Shimano lock rings

Overfast carbon thru axles

DFS Carbon Crank with 24mm titanium axle

XM Carbonspeed carbon chainring (planned 54-39T; fallback 53-39T if 54-39T isn’t possible)

Ryet saddle

Lucendi 1g bar plugs

Lightweight expander plug (Yes, a bit controversial, but I’ve used them without issue on both my SL7 and SL8)

Hopp carbon top cap with Extralight bolt

Magcad Garmin mount

ZTTO cassette (still undecided — mixed reports on shifting performance)

Barrel & nut upgrade for seat post wedge

Upgraded seat post cradle clamps and bolts

Maxxis Hyper SL 28mm tyres

Ridenow TPU tubes

DFS 60/65 T1000 wheels with 5mm carbon spokes.

Have a spread sheet and will post and list before and after weights for those who are interested and where purchased if its equipment I dont already have

Fingers crossed the frame gets the all-clear!

[Sander2177]

Mine was 324 g uncut.

Additional weights: My frame was 843 g (size 56, with hanger), seatpost 163 g (380 mm version), bars 337 g (shortest stem, 380 mm wide).

Jeez that quite a difference obviously  324g vs 399g.
For reference my original SL8 fork uncut was 372.1grams and the frame before I had it painted was 700.4g photos attached for reference
The scales are not the best to be honest but they cannot be that far out though.
Maybe some other recent purchaser can post some fork weights.

[JImportante]

Guys any idea how to instal this little plate? It's inside seatpost tube and keep the front deraillure hanger up. When I was trying to mount di2 cable this plate fall down 

[Sander2177]

Guys any idea how to instal this little plate? It's inside seatpost tube and keep the front deraillure hanger up. When I was trying to mount di2 cable this plate fall down 

Have you Instagram?

https://www.instagram.com/p/C0ZE6dKsiS6/

My mechanic good tip!
Also shows you in the SL8 Manual page 22