Author Topic: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?  (Read 249372 times)

Tines

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1200 on: June 02, 2025, 09:22:35 AM »
lol, people can put any group set and wheels on their frames but , the cracks aren't actually cracks, it's more of defects and small/tiny, no creaking

Sure you can do whatever you want it’s just quite obvious something’s off when you mix high end with budget options.   Could’ve gone with the specialized decals …

Like putting wheels with plastic covers on a BMW M CS. 

WadaWada

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1201 on: June 02, 2025, 11:30:23 AM »
Sure you can do whatever you want it’s just quite obvious something’s off when you mix high end with budget options.   Could’ve gone with the specialized decals …

Like putting wheels with plastic covers on a BMW M CS.

u right

Sander2177

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1202 on: June 03, 2025, 04:55:19 AM »
X68 Update

Few rides in now and no issues to report — it’s going really well so far. Put in a few efforts and landed some PRs on old local segments, so it’s definitely holding its own.

Issue with cranks coming loose but thats on me not tightening to 35-40Nm as 8Nm does not cut it lol!

No creaks, no weird flex, just solid and confidence-inspiring. Still early days but impressed so far. Will update if anything changes, but at this stage,  so far no regrets at the moment

Sent completion photos to Tan Tan
Be interesting to see if they post them!
« Last Edit: June 03, 2025, 06:35:29 AM by Sander2177 »
SL8 Custom Green Over Naked Carbon 54CM 6.11KGS RhinosWorkShop Build (5.9kgs Est with upgrades on way)

X68 UD Gloss Bare Carbon 54cm 6.45kgs

IG @sanderson7721

WadaWada

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1203 on: June 03, 2025, 09:50:13 AM »
X68 Update

Few rides in now and no issues to report — it’s going really well so far. Put in a few efforts and landed some PRs on old local segments, so it’s definitely holding its own.

Issue with cranks coming loose but thats on me not tightening to 35-40Nm as 8Nm does not cut it lol!

No creaks, no weird flex, just solid and confidence-inspiring. Still early days but impressed so far. Will update if anything changes, but at this stage,  so far no regrets at the moment

Sent completion photos to Tan Tan
Be interesting to see if they post them!

your look much better than mine, where can i get the same one

Sander2177

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1204 on: June 03, 2025, 11:40:39 AM »
your look much better than mine, where can i get the same one


Excuse me I don’t understand, where  can you get the same what?
Frame? Crank?
SL8 Custom Green Over Naked Carbon 54CM 6.11KGS RhinosWorkShop Build (5.9kgs Est with upgrades on way)

X68 UD Gloss Bare Carbon 54cm 6.45kgs

IG @sanderson7721

tiz92

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1205 on: June 04, 2025, 09:49:23 AM »
I have the frame now for at least 1500 km ridden and can also not complain. No creak, no issue, just good ride quality. In a direct comparison with may SL7 the front end feels slightly less stiff but is more comfortable which is positive in the end. Other than that really not a lot to report. It just works and is "fast" everywhere.

Sander2177

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1206 on: June 04, 2025, 02:36:39 PM »
Seatpost Clamp Mods & Final Build Weight – X68 Update

As I mentioned in earlier posts, I’ve been working on modding the seatpost to refine the setup and shave off some extra weight. Here’s the latest:

For the front clamp, I sourced an M5 barrel nut sized 8.5mm x 13.5mm. It’s a bit smaller in diameter than the original (which was around 10mm, but in M6 size). Couldn’t find a 10mm M5 version anywhere, but this one works fine despite the slightly looser fit. The original nut was also longer and had an angled end for aesthetics — not critical functionally, but worth noting.

Everything was cleaned and reassembled using:
   •   Grease on all threads and contact points.
   •   Carbon paste on the saddle rail clamping area.

The front yoke came threaded, but since the clamp force is between the bolt head and barrel nut, those threads aren’t ideal. You’d normally want to either drill the yoke to clear the threads or use a bolt with an unthreaded section where it passes through. That said, I made it work for now without issue.

Saddle setup:
   •   Saddle leveled precisely.
   •   Rear bolt torqued to 5–5.5 Nm with a touch of blue Loctite for added security.
   •   Final seatpost weight: 128.4g after all mods.
   •   40g shaved off total with the seatpost + saddle changes.

Took the X68 out again for a ride this evening — everything held up perfectly. Clamp still solid post-ride. This style of yoke clamp (similar to Darimo’s design clamp which is torqued to 4nm)and like the rest of the bolts on my bike (stem, top cap, seatpost clamp), I always double-check torque and occasionally use blue Loctite where needed.

Crank bolts also holding firm, no movement or loosening.

With these mods, the bike now sits at 6.45 kg. No further changes planned — happy with the setup as it is.

I’ll be trying the 50/60 XMC wheels once they land. They were originally for the SL8 but I’ll run them on the X68 first. With them lighter cassette , the weight should drop to around 6.35 kg. Will report back after testing.

All well had a ride out again all good no issues so far to report!
SL8 Custom Green Over Naked Carbon 54CM 6.11KGS RhinosWorkShop Build (5.9kgs Est with upgrades on way)

X68 UD Gloss Bare Carbon 54cm 6.45kgs

IG @sanderson7721

Avalius

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1207 on: June 04, 2025, 04:56:52 PM »
Picture of a counterfeit, heard it's stiff corners well and was an easy build. Not much difference with these tantans.
"You can't be sad while riding a bicycle."

Davidhe23

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1208 on: June 05, 2025, 02:45:42 AM »
Picture of a counterfeit, heard it's stiff corners well and was an easy build. Not much difference with these tantans.

Yohobike? It looks exactly like Seraph, I think they both use the same mold to put together their bikes.

Avalius

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1209 on: June 05, 2025, 05:43:15 AM »
Yohobike? It looks exactly like Seraph, I think they both use the same mold to put together their bikes.

Yoho, the famous jailed Peter, Nicole's bike store, .. they all use the same mold if you ask me.
There is a bigger player behind the frame. Tantan is just a reseller that chooses not to put fake branding on the frame.
But where these are being made is a mystery.
"You can't be sad while riding a bicycle."

Sander2177

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1210 on: June 05, 2025, 06:21:30 AM »
Yoho, the famous jailed Peter, Nicole's bike store, .. they all use the same mold if you ask me.
There is a bigger player behind the frame. Tantan is just a reseller that chooses not to put fake branding on the frame.
But where these are being made is a mystery.


I agree and everyone wants to know who is making it!  ;D — Tan Tan can openly sell the frames, but there are subtle differences that seem designed to skirt around IP infringement.

One example: seat posts don’t interchange between the X68 and the SL8. The X68 is about 1mm wider, so while it looks nearly identical the difference are so subtle you just don't notice them and from what i can see this is the only differences this is Just enough of a difference to avoid a direct copy, I think.
SL8 Custom Green Over Naked Carbon 54CM 6.11KGS RhinosWorkShop Build (5.9kgs Est with upgrades on way)

X68 UD Gloss Bare Carbon 54cm 6.45kgs

IG @sanderson7721

pandinoyoung

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1211 on: June 05, 2025, 07:36:54 AM »
ok. my frame shipped. paid on may 6th shipped on may 5th. ordered raw frame.
do you know how long it takes to arrive in europe?

Sander2177

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1212 on: June 05, 2025, 07:48:31 AM »
ok. my frame shipped. paid on may 6th shipped on may 5th. ordered raw frame.
do you know how long it takes to arrive in europe?

I'm in UK and was quoted 10-18days.
You should have been given a shipping duration
SL8 Custom Green Over Naked Carbon 54CM 6.11KGS RhinosWorkShop Build (5.9kgs Est with upgrades on way)

X68 UD Gloss Bare Carbon 54cm 6.45kgs

IG @sanderson7721

MTB-Addicted

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1213 on: June 05, 2025, 08:17:15 AM »

I agree and everyone wants to know who is making it!  ;D — Tan Tan can openly sell the frames, but there are subtle differences that seem designed to skirt around IP infringement.

One example: seat posts don’t interchange between the X68 and the SL8. The X68 is about 1mm wider, so while it looks nearly identical the difference are so subtle you just don't notice them and from what i can see this is the only differences this is Just enough of a difference to avoid a direct copy, I think.

I agree and I would be curious to know the name of the producer because the frame is extremely well done, so similar to the original and super light; in this range of price, it is the lighest frame in the chinese carbon market, as far as I know.

Yunglord

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1214 on: June 05, 2025, 10:52:14 AM »
I agree and I would be curious to know the name of the producer because the frame is extremely well done, so similar to the original and super light; in this range of price, it is the lighest frame in the chinese carbon market, as far as I know.

It's not the lightest frame in the chinese carbon market. but in this price range it's prolly top 5.