Yes I ride a lot with yearsly also 400.000m elevation and rac(ed) a lot with a usually around 20h of training per week. Thus I know my Tarmac SL7 very very well. I was also a bit sceptical about the chinese frames. But recently I bought a Carbonda 505 SL as gravel/road bike and i am amazed of how well it rides also compared to my SL7. Thus for only 700 dollars I will give the Seraph a try. I will even stick the same components on it, same wheels, same groupset (found a ultegra 11 speed di2 for cheap from a local Conti riders old second bike), same saddle and most importantly i have also on my SL7 the Roval Rapide cockpit, so I can compare that. I will try to report here.

Still wondering if the 140mm front brake disc will work though.

AFAIK default rotor size for SL8 is 160mm for the front fork, so you may need to buy a cheap reverse disc rotor size adapter from 160mm to a 140mm reducer.
Would look forward to your build and experience bro, good luck!

PS Saw this video over at youtube, I can see the guy simply fipped the disc rotor mount;

I was recently considering doing a similar build, but shelved it for now.
A clean front end an internally routed cables was something I was wanting.
This Velo build is 860g for the frame so you could get it pretty close. It’s an endurance geometry though.
https://www.velobuild.com/products/vb-r-066-ultra-light-endurance-bike-road-frame-v-brake-internal-caboe-routing
SP Cycles and light carbon also have some decent options.

Good luck! I live in Florida so don’t have a huge need for disc brakes, except for on my race bike.
I, too wish there were more light rim brake options.

yes I did see this option though but I want to have the direct mount rim brake as I really believe that the brakes would be stronger compared to a single mount bolt as I am a bit of a chunky fella too, at 85 KG at the time being. SPcycles which model frame number are you recommending? r088? yes I wouldn't mind an endurance frame though

i bought my rt-cl900 from YiwuDonglue shop. came without retail box, but work straight out no bend. it even had the orange seal warning tape on.
personally i dont think theyre reject parts, but more of an oe excess inventory.

Anrancee (sp?) also sos for my shimano stuffs

This! exactly bougt the same XTR disc rotors and they were all super straight.
YiwuDonglue and Anrancee shops are totally legit

As the title says, I am interested in building a rim brake bike but specifically needing a direct mount option.
I know it's a dying breed of bikes but interested to see and hear suggestions of an affordable chinertown rim brake option even if it is from the past 5-10 years.
Looking to build a sub 6kg build with an Ultegra R8000 direct mount Groupset and a climber set of wheels, it will be along side my Velobuild VBR 268 Aero bike
Thanks and regards!

https://www.seraphbikes.com/Superlight-Disc-Road-Bike-Frame-TT-X68-BSA-Bottom-Bracket-Max-Tire-70028C-With-Integrated-Handlebar-p5836624.html

A far better alternative than buying a bottom bracket exploding fake SL8 in my opinion. Identical geometry of course. Maybe I should get one to compare to my actual Tarmac SL8

Seraph is the "brand" counterpart to Tantan if I'm not mistaken...

EDIT: Even the geometry chart is using a photo of a frame with an SL7 Tarmac stem and spacers 

Yo ho ho Pat dude, really loving your SL8 Pro setup bro with the Speedy Decals looking BLANG BLANG! how are they holding on till date bro? the decals? can you tell if they are really high quality?

And did you try reaching out to Seraph to give you out a frame to review? I bet their sales would skyrocket if you'd post one huh or even direct from the guys over at TanTan cycling if they'll send you out one eh?

Would that impact your relationship will your local Specialized Dealer or they would just go like meh?

A sick video it would be if you could be able to compare it to your current SL8 Pro setup!

Mine came in just 3 or 4 days if I remembered correctly? to Abu Dhabi though, super fast shipping!

no custom paint though, just the matte black version of VBR 268

they are widely available here in the UAE guys, in Dubai have a look at the prices, I think it is fairly priced. even considering a Spark Evo after Tech Vini Fantini used it in the UAE Tour 2025 and won the black jersey for the most competitive group!

https://www.uaecycle.com/search?q=pardus*%20AND%20product_type:*&type=product

PS THis site is legit I am often buying from them

Quite frankly I have nothing negative to report or criticize. Easily the lightest and best set of wheels I've used from a value perspective. Mother nature gave me one single day today above freezing, and I was able to get in a 3 hour ride Z2 ride with some intervals mixed in.

GP5000 STR 32c. Running actual tubeless to avoid another audience upheaval on my YouTube. Tires measure 34mm at the rim. 55 PSI

Video drops next week.

Pat yo, love the video dude amazing now I am more drawn into ordering one,
If you could tell us the specs of the custom wheel build you had on your video? so I could replicate that?
Looking to get that 1200 1100gm wheelset heck even 1000gm with 40-45mm depth combo if ever that option exist with Xiamen Carbon Speed