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

[CoreX88]

I did ask mention the fork failure and was told:

'The front fork failure is an exception. The fork is broken so badly, it must be man-made, and definitely not a product quality problem.'

WTF? Pretty interesting how they try to wriggle out of a situation... The fork was already inspected by the guys where I will do the CT Scan of the frame. Their findings were more than clear on human-made mistake or production failure. They said this happens to forks of framesets in much higher price-ranges as well, so for me thats "ok". However, telling the story of me not being able to handle/ride that bike the right way sucks. I also offered them to take a look at the fork and investigate from their side, but it seems their not interested.

They can be happy to have a customer-oriented sales represantive as Vivian, but the guys behind the scene ... meh.

[Tom77]

WTF? Pretty interesting how they try to wriggle out of a situation... The fork was already inspected by the guys where I will do the CT Scan of the frame. Their findings were more than clear on human-made mistake or production failure. They said this happens to forks of framesets in much higher price-ranges as well, so for me thats "ok". However, telling the story of me not being able to handle/ride that bike the right way sucks. I also offered them to take a look at the fork and investigate from their side, but it seems their not interested.

They can be happy to have a customer-oriented sales represantive as Vivian, but the guys behind the scene ... meh.

TanTan is definitely dead for me.

I paid 56 working days ago (!), 21 days ago I was told that they painted it wrong and now have to produce a new frame in UD matt.

I have NO delivery date yet.

Vivian is sending BS mails and is no help at all, just offering me a refund (exchange rate €/$ has dropped 10% in the meantime; postage costs are no longer split between 2 frames).

Total joke, TanTan never makes the frames themselves, otherwise it would be much quicker to sort out.

[Sander2177]

WTF? Pretty interesting how they try to wriggle out of a situation... The fork was already inspected by the guys where I will do the CT Scan of the frame. Their findings were more than clear on human-made mistake or production failure. They said this happens to forks of framesets in much higher price-ranges as well, so for me thats "ok". However, telling the story of me not being able to handle/ride that bike the right way sucks. I also offered them to take a look at the fork and investigate from their side, but it seems their not interested.

They can be happy to have a customer-oriented sales represantive as Vivian, but the guys behind the scene ... meh.

Well, it really was no surprise!

Let’s be honest—if they admitted fault, it could seriously hurt their sales. It’s not unusual to see this kind of response from some brands. That’s where the bigger names have an edge: you get that added safety net through proper warranties and reliable after-sales support, but we all onow this when we buy these types of frames

[Sander2177]

TanTan is definitely dead for me.

I paid 56 working days ago (!), 21 days ago I was told that they painted it wrong and now have to produce a new frame in UD matt.

I have NO delivery date yet.

Vivian is sending BS mails and is no help at all, just offering me a refund (exchange rate €/$ has dropped 10% in the meantime; postage costs are no longer split between 2 frames).

Total joke, TanTan never makes the frames themselves, otherwise it would be much quicker to sort out.

Well, this is exactly what happens when dealing directly with these Chinese factories. Honestly, I think it’s to be expected when buying these frames — it often seems like only two or three people are handling sales, probably against a mountain of enquiries and emails every day.

That said, I think this is one of, if not the most popular frame they offer, so it's pretty clear they’re struggling to keep up with the demand.

Still, they’d be so much better off just telling the truth upfront. I’ll never understand why they don’t. Managing expectations would go a long way in keeping people on-side.

[Tom77]

Well, this is exactly what happens when dealing directly with these Chinese factories. Honestly, I think it’s to be expected when buying these frames — it often seems like only two or three people are handling sales, probably against a mountain of enquiries and emails every day.

That said, I think this is one of, if not the most popular frame they offer, so it's pretty clear they’re struggling to keep up with the demand.

Still, they’d be so much better off just telling the truth upfront. I’ll never understand why they don’t. Managing expectations would go a long way in keeping people on-side.

There is already an update on this case, will share soon.....not aging well

[TegStone]

After five days of back-and-forth emails with Ann (Vivian?), I’ve finally placed the order for a full bike build!
They mentioned 25–30 working days for production, plus 10–18 days for shipping (to a European country via DPD).
Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly—and that the frame and fork arrive flawless.
I’m excited!

[Sander2177]

There is already an update on this case, will share soon.....not aging well

Its painful mate but you will get there in the end!

[Serge_K]

I did ask mention the fork failure and was told:

'The front fork failure is an exception. The fork is broken so badly, it must be man-made, and definitely not a product quality problem.'

So who do you believe — Core or Tan Tan?

I recommend reading this: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5116296-poorly-made-in-china
It's helpful to understand cultural differences.

From that, i'd say good luck getting a factory to acknowledge they fucked up, or fucked you. In fact there are plenty of examples of that in that book (and that one too https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29891474-what-s-wrong-with-china).

Has to do with losing face, admitting responsibility, the norm is that they will lie to your face until you catch them red handed, at which point they go "ok fine, i tried. Want a discount on your next order?". Arguably, that may be how a toddler lies, from the perspective of a westerner. Or like my dad. As kids we recorded him snoring, played it back to him, for him to say, dead serious, "it's not me".

Given that many people here suspect that tantan isn't building this specific frame model, it adds another layer of deception to the mix. Also, forks and frames are different moulds, so what if the fork is coming from elsewhere? And if it's not a monocoque build, then the frame itself could come from several factories.

[patliean1]

I had a cracked steer tube on my Giant Propel two months after I bought it. About $4000 all-in from an authorized dealer.

Not only did I neither claimed fault nor assumed it was a factory defect, I even told Giant I would be okay paying for a new fork. The color was a basic matte black.

Giant kept trying to deny my claim regardless of who would responsible of paying for the replacement fork. After escalating to the regional USA manager, Giant said it would take a whopping 3-4 months. For a black fork. And then magically a week later they had a change of heart and said they'd cover the replacement/installation at no charge, and it would only take two weeks.

Pretty sure they seen my YouTube channel. Just a shame it took something like that to get service though.

[Sander2177]

I had a cracked steer tube on my Giant Propel two months after I bought it. About $4000 all-in from an authorized dealer.

Not only did I neither claimed fault nor assumed it was a factory defect, I even told Giant I would be okay paying for a new fork. The color was a basic matte black.

Giant kept trying to deny my claim regardless of who would responsible of paying for the replacement fork. After escalating to the regional USA manager, Giant said it would take a whopping 3-4 months. For a black fork. And then magically a week later they had a change of heart and said they'd cover the replacement/installation at no charge, and it would only take two weeks.

Pretty sure they seen my YouTube channel. Just a shame it took something like that to get service though.

I remember the video but watched it again.

You always expect more from the big brands but it’s not always the case.
I’m dealing with Michelin tyres at the moment I appreciate it’s only tyres but it’s been 6 weeks and I always feeling like when I am doing this  its me chasing and doing the hard work.
But as always I will persevere and get there in the end!

[BeR]

I remember the video but watched it again.

You always expect more from the big brands but it’s not always the case.
I’m dealing with Michelin tyres at the moment I appreciate it’s only tyres but it’s been 6 weeks and I always feeling like when I am doing this  its me chasing and doing the hard work.
But as always I will persevere and get there in the end!

Speaking of tires, I had a problem after 100 km of Continental tires. I sent them a mail and asked some photos. Nothing more required and they sent me new tires. Good after sale service for Continental.
They even asked the serial number. Maybe They wanted to check all their batch.

[Sander2177]

Speaking of tires, I had a problem after 100 km of Continental tires. I sent them a mail and asked some photos. Nothing more required and they sent me new tires. Good after sale service for Continental.
They even asked the serial number. Maybe They wanted to check all their batch.

Never used Michelin’s bought there cups for the mallorca 312 we’re a good price from Lordgun like £30 GBP. 60miles in sidewalk tear purchased a replacement not even 100 miles and same again in Mallorca sidewall tear in front tyre !
In the end I went back to trusty GP5000s and replaced front and rear which were the price in Mallorca £70gbp each.

Anyway Patrick anymore updates on your X68 experience have you pulled the trigger yet 

Should be some lurkers here with X68s??

[JImportante]

yesterday i've done first ride (29km - https://www.strava.com/activities/14541162130) and today second one (76km - https://www.strava.com/activities/14549743379). it's much much smoother and comfortable than my aluminium Rose SL Pro. today I had small issue during the ride, after a very fast descend on shitty tarmac rear dereillure loose up sibI couldn't change a gear. some random guy helped me with tighting this screw (I didn't took my imbus). same story with computer holder, screw loose up as well on the same descent.

[Sander2177]

yesterday i've done first ride (29km - https://www.strava.com/activities/14541162130) and today second one (76km - https://www.strava.com/activities/14549743379). it's much much smoother and comfortable than my aluminium Rose SL Pro. today I had small issue during the ride, after a very fast descend on shitty tarmac rear dereillure loose up sibI couldn't change a gear. some random guy helped me with tighting this screw (I didn't took my imbus). same story with computer holder, screw loose up as well on the same descent.

Few people have mentioned computer mount screw.
Maybe worth a small dab of loctite thread lock

Loctite 222 (Purple) Low
Small bolts, e.g., bottle cages, derailleur screws

Loctite 243 (Blue) Medium
Stem bolts, brake caliper bolts, rotor bolts

[Nkearb]

yesterday i've done first ride (29km - https://www.strava.com/activities/14541162130) and today second one (76km - https://www.strava.com/activities/14549743379). it's much much smoother and comfortable than my aluminium Rose SL Pro. today I had small issue during the ride, after a very fast descend on shitty tarmac rear dereillure loose up sibI couldn't change a gear. some random guy helped me with tighting this screw (I didn't took my imbus). same story with computer holder, screw loose up as well on the same descent.

Lmao I thought you were referring to your bike when you said shitty tarmac   I had to read twice to understand you were riding the shitty tarmac on shitty tarmac