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Messages - glepore

Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 14
1
Component Deals & Selection / Re: Who's Bought One of the Berk/Gelu-Style Full Carbon Saddles?
« on: Today at 07:23:16 AM »
Quote from: Sander2177 on Today at 06:13:46 AM
No one here has bought an AliExpress Carbon Saddle I find that hard to believe!

I find it hard to believe that Berk is now big enough that his saddles are cloned. I remember when he was more or less a kid.

I agree on his failure rate-its unacceptable for the price. The saddles are reasonably comfortable.

2
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: WheelTop EDS TX Full Wireless Groupset (Chinese SRAM)
« on: June 01, 2025, 11:24:31 AM »
Had my left shifter die yesterday on a ride with no cell service at point of failure. >:(

After riding 1x for a bit, got to an area with weak service and was able to connect with the app, no comm with left lever. Removed battery (known good, 1 wk old Duracell) reinstalled, nothing. But by leaving app open but minimized I stayed connected even after losing service again, so at least I could shift w app if I really needed it. Thankful for a 48 up front and 11-34, pretty  usable as 1x.

After troubleshooting at home, I found that battery connection at lever is spotty-the positive side is just a pc board trace with no "spring" to it, so I did open up the side springs (neg connection) to hold battery tighter, hopefully that will help.

Thinking about a little foil under battery. Anyone else had this issue and ideas for fix?

Edit, died again today just after leaving home. Found the issue, likely partly user error. When you insert the 2032, don't put it in flat, it must go in sort of rear edge down to avoid the little edge tabs in the rear getting their "spring" tension lost by being pushed, as they serve to hold the battery down against vibration. They're very weak. I bent them back out with a pick, carefully reinstalled battery, and its tight now.

3
Component Deals & Selection / Re: Best and worst overall quality/value components/tools/gear from AliExpress?
« on: May 31, 2025, 05:05:16 PM »
Quote from: pushpush on May 31, 2025, 11:56:39 AM
Do you have a current working link to these?

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803455917597.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.15.5bbfHWFGHWFGWs&algo_pvid=b7f1f6e1-24cc-4905-9366-914b65c9470c&algo_exp_id=b7f1f6e1-24cc-4905-9366-914b65c9470c-14&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%22128%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%7D&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%2114.44%2114.44%21%21%2114.44%2114.44%21%402101c59517487290513171059ef13c%2112000026616564956%21sea%21US%212224686198%21X&curPageLogUid=EZH3j0S7ryom&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A

4
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« on: May 30, 2025, 01:06:40 PM »
I'd be curious to see how you would feel if you controlled for the wheelset by using the same wheels for a back to back.

So far you've confirmed what was for me just a guess as I don't have an actual sl8. I was impressed with the bike as a standalone thing, but didn't expect that it would be "indistinguishable." As I said early on, if I could get 70% or so of an actual sl8 for 1/5 the price I'd feel good about that. I think it might actually be better than that...

5
Component Deals & Selection / Re: Best and worst overall quality/value components/tools/gear from AliExpress?
« on: May 30, 2025, 07:09:18 AM »
Quote from: ktryoji on May 29, 2025, 10:03:16 PM
Hi, it's been a long time, but do you still like your xpresso pedals from F1z bike shop?
Not directed at me, but I'll reply anyway ;D I've had 3 pair of these for several years from various sellers, along with actual Times and the Mavic branded variant. The xpresso's are functionally identical. I did replace the inner bushings on mine with bearings (there are a number of threads on other forums on how to do this, its easy) but the real Time's need that as well. They've all held up well, and in function are identical to the actual thing.
They're great pedals, a little float, hang such that they're easy to get into.
The only issue with the clones is that the actual pedals allow you to adjust q a tiny amount by whether you use right cleat on right or vise versa whereas the clones cleats aren't asymmetric, but this is meaningless for me in use.

6
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« on: May 30, 2025, 07:03:59 AM »
Quote from: Sander2177 on May 30, 2025, 01:35:44 AM
Ok — the X68 is 99% done and officially rideable now!
Final weight: 6.49 kg

I’ve got a few seat clamp mods still on the way, and I’ll be swapping the chainrings for the XMCarbon ones, but otherwise — it’s done!

The frame had a few minor issues, nothing major. The last thing I had to do was sand the underside of the transition spacer at the back. When tightening the headset, it started rubbing slightly on the frame. The frame curves ever so slightly in that area just beneath the transition cap, whereas the SL8 flattens out at that point.

Anyway going out for a ride this morning!

Anxiously awaiting your comparison report!

7
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« on: May 29, 2025, 07:08:48 AM »
Quote from: kubackje on May 29, 2025, 05:54:17 AM
I gotta admit you got so much out of cheap chain, good to know. I only use dura Ace chain as I want the fastest shit. Tried ybn sla and it lasted 2000km with wax so pretty shit and didn't think a cheaper version can be so good.

YBN chains have a reputation for being very fast (see Friction Facts) and they do shift very well. I don't have enough miles on mine to judge wear but they do have a reputation of not being as durable as some others.
They make Campy chains, but to Campy's spec so I don't know that that means anything.

8
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« on: May 28, 2025, 01:07:54 PM »
Quote from: Sander2177 on May 28, 2025, 03:29:06 AM
Thanks
Wheels are superlight for there depth at 1231grams for 60/65 depth
And the tyres at 180grams each with TPU tubes at 19grams.

I have an excel sheet if you want me to email over a copy just DM me.

 :D
The extra seat post bits have now arrived in the UK so hopefully will get this done by Friday!
Also ordered a new spare seatpost thought it would e a good idea after modifying the other one!

I just swapped the yokes in by drilling out the front one to accept the stock m6 bolt, clamp, cradle and ti bolts were 46g, now with yokes and carbon cradle 23

9
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« on: May 28, 2025, 10:29:57 AM »
Quote from: Serge_K on May 28, 2025, 09:22:14 AM
That's a dystopian view of the world. For clarity, i disagree.



I guess I worded that poorly. What I meant to say was that there's no reason for one to expect, given the general practices of the majority of the frame vendors discussed here, that a vendor will provide a consumer  with accurate information regarding the origin of a frame.

My own viewpoint is that the vendor's reputation matters, but the actual factory much less so. We trust the major brands to source their product appropriately and to stand behind product that fails in use within a reasonable or warranty period. We don't criticize Specialized because they have an unnamed factory in Asia produce their frames. Factor is slightly more transparent in that they acknowledge the rough actual cost and the region of production, but even they don't identify their factory that I'm aware of.

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Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« on: May 28, 2025, 08:08:52 AM »
Quote from: Sander2177 on May 28, 2025, 03:29:06 AM
Thanks
Wheels are superlight for there depth at 1231grams for 60/65 depth
And the tyres at 180grams each with TPU tubes at 19grams.

I have an excel sheet if you want me to email over a copy just DM me.

 :D
The extra seat post bits have now arrived in the UK so hopefully will get this done by Friday!
Also ordered a new spare seatpost thought it would e a good idea after modifying the other one!

I'll dm you...but I can account for most of the weight. At least 300g in the wheels and tires (my50/65 are t800 and 1330, corsa control 30's at 305 or so each and 36g tpu), probs 100g in the crank (sram carbon w/ quarq, carbon ti 48 t/a 33 ) wheeltop vs Ultegra, etc. I have the parts to lighten the seatpost, but cutting mine down won't save much as I can only take about 20mm off. Most bolts have gone ti, but rotors are Campy rather than galfer. Plus the white paint is probably 100-150g heavier than a rtp clear.
I have seatpost parts here and will play with that today after Giro stage is done.

11
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« on: May 28, 2025, 07:30:52 AM »
Quote from: Bonus79 on May 28, 2025, 05:16:40 AM
I purchased a Spcycle R088 frame, I asked them directly if the R088 frame is produced by them, or if they commissioned it from another manufacturer.
They replied that the mold of the R088 is theirs, that it is made in their factory and that they have not authorized dealers to sell their frame.
Then I told them that TanTan advertises and sells a frame (TT-X70) that seems identical to theirs... they replied that TanTan took only one sample from their factory and that they would not provide any more samples in the future.
I replied them that TanTan took a sample to copy the frame exactly and sell it as TT-X70...I was taken aback by their response: "Yes, this is very likely", as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
They confirmed what I have read on this forum: in the East they have a completely different mentality compared to the Western one and copying the frames of other manufacturers is not (evidently) seen as something unseemly or forbidden/sanctioned and that (except for "premium" brands that try to establish themselves with their own name) wanting to differentiate themselves from other manufacturers is not a priority for them.
Well, I honestly have not understood whether Spcycle is really the manufacturer of the R088 and TT-X70 frames, but I would say that it changes little in practice: it would be like buying a Bottecchia (Italian brand) 8Avio Ultimate, a frame produced and sold by Workswell (WCB-R-316).

There's no reason for them to be transparent with you about the origins of a frameset. Just as tantan isn't transparent about the x68, or the x70. I wouldn't rely upon what they tell you unless you're approaching them to build a couple thousand framesets a year for your bike brand, and even then you better have boots on the ground.

12
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« on: May 27, 2025, 07:20:00 PM »
That's a stellar weight. I'm at 7.1, but in white, which likely makes up for your fork weight plus...
I went to swap out my expander, and it has a cheap 30g generic plug rather than the deep sl8 clone, which was good news as it came out. I have your 14g one on the way.
Your wheels are 100g lighter than mine, so there's that. But still, its a very lg difference and I'm on a 49.
I doubt on the road it matters a ton, but still, I'm a weenie at heart and its disturbing.
Seatpost parts are here, I'll race you to that 25g savings...

13
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« on: May 27, 2025, 07:51:09 AM »
Yeah, I'd just redo either part of the logo or lay over the whole thing with vinyl-lots of folks do that with the Specialized logos on their sl8s to change the color.
Ride the bike, its excellent and you'll forget about the logo issue.

14
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« on: May 24, 2025, 06:58:51 AM »
Quote from: dovh on May 24, 2025, 02:55:57 AM
I finally got the seat post from TanTan. It took around 14 days to arrive, and the seat post is raw carbon with a glossy clear coat. They did say if I'm okay with it, they had it already produced, I'd say. Otherwise, by the looks of it, I would still be waiting because of the painting bottleneck. Doesn't look that bad, but I'll order a black matte one from them, and when it arrives, it arrives.

Scuff it with some 2000g, it matte down the finish...

15
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« on: May 23, 2025, 04:45:23 PM »
Yeah. I have the front bolt in ti. Thinking I'll just drill out the yoke to suit, assuming its long enough...

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