Author Topic: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?  (Read 1473226 times)

PearlH9

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1515 on: August 04, 2025, 10:40:03 AM »
Guys, I'm interested on this x68 frame. Where can I buy it? Because I saw people buying it from www.tantanbicycles.com, others from http://tantancycling.com and even from http://seraphbikes.com

What is the "oficial store"? Also where can I talk with them to ask for a frame with the upgraded fork?

glepore

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1516 on: August 04, 2025, 10:45:31 AM »
All those URL's are the same business. Seraph sells frames/bikes with that logo, tantan doesn't logo.
You can contact via email or wechat and ask about the fork. Suspect they're all "upgraded" now.

PearlH9

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1517 on: August 04, 2025, 04:01:27 PM »
Thanks :D Will contact them via WhatsApp and buy one frame. I have a size 56 SL8 copy frame that I bought on Aliexpress but it's small for me. I really liked the geometry of the frame and that's why I have interest on this x68 because for me, the logos really doesn't matter.

JustinFox

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1518 on: August 04, 2025, 05:35:29 PM »
Does this frame flex as much (and as easily!) as the one in this video: https://youtu.be/CRI0uWVYNcA?si=SumWtRQYGRhXQxY8
Instagram: @justinfoxau

gbrnole

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1519 on: August 04, 2025, 11:46:19 PM »
my completely 100% reliably scientific foot on the pedal flex test of my kid's X68 vs my SL8 results in his X68 having a hair more deflection but his is a 56 vs mine being a 54. it's definitely nothing like that janky fake Madone he had in a prior vid.

i'll say this much about the X68, i'd rather ride it over my Gen 6 Madone SLR. the kid's X68 does have the heavier fork.

stojos

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1520 on: August 05, 2025, 03:43:29 AM »
I am 192cm tall. It looks like (based on tarmac sl8 size chart) that 58 frame size is small for me. Does it mean that x68 is not for me due to not available 61 frame size?

Lotnik

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1521 on: August 05, 2025, 04:09:58 AM »
I am 192cm tall. It looks like (based on tarmac sl8 size chart) that 58 frame size is small for me. Does it mean that x68 is not for me due to not available 61 frame size?
You need to look for something different and probably something outside Chinese OEMs.

stojos

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1522 on: August 05, 2025, 11:18:51 AM »
You need to look for something different and probably something outside Chinese OEMs.

Thanks, I thought so. My thinking at the moment is to spend a little bit more and go with Elves Vanyar Pro frame.

Sander2177

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1523 on: August 05, 2025, 04:20:46 PM »
Does this frame flex as much (and as easily!) as the one in this video: https://youtu.be/CRI0uWVYNcA?si=SumWtRQYGRhXQxY8
[/

It’s a YouTube video—they’re chasing views.
The frame isn’t actually that flexible.
When you push the crank by hand or press the pedal with your foot, it’s the wheel and seat stays that flex—not the bottom bracket.
Proper BB stiffness really  needs to be measured on a jig

JustinFox

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1524 on: August 05, 2025, 06:42:09 PM »
Yeah it's a crap vid/channel in any case. Super cringe stuff. I assume he's on a YoHo bike in that video too.

Bonus79

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1525 on: August 06, 2025, 03:02:06 AM »
Yeah it's a crap vid/channel in any case. Super cringe stuff. I assume he's on a YoHo bike in that video too.
You're right...one of the worst comparisons I've ever seen.
It's hard to believe anyone would take these "reviews" as reliable...or at least I hope so.

Sander2177

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1526 on: August 06, 2025, 03:06:13 AM »
Yeah it's a crap vid/channel in any case. Super cringe stuff. I assume he's on a YoHo bike in that video too.

Hey Justin I'm not saying anything about the channel 😄😄

Who knows where he got it from—maybe AliExpress? The thing is, no one really knows who's making these frames, but it seems like more than one factory is copying the design, which is very likely.
So, each one is probably assembling the bike a bit differently.

But for £600 GBP, you can’t expect it to be on par with the original. That said, the differences aren’t as massive as they used to be—counterfeits are getting a lot more sophisticated.

If anyone here is into watches, it’s the same story with the super clone Rolexes coming out of China. From the outside, they’re almost identical—same materials, same finishing. People now need loupes and even have to open the casebacks to tell the difference. They even come with boxes, warranty cards, the whole lot.

Bikes are clearly heading in the same direction. So frame manufacturers are going to have to step up their game to stay ahead.

There’s even that YouTube video about the counterfeit Trek frame—Trek themselves said it was real!

jfcb

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1527 on: August 06, 2025, 03:23:23 AM »
You need to look for something different and probably something outside Chinese OEMs.

You might want to have a look at Tavelo or Speeder SC-R55D.

humbling9430

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1528 on: August 06, 2025, 09:03:22 AM »
Bike built! Haven't ridden it yet though - weather has been a bit crap. Given it was my first bike build, went okay - took a few nights in total. Managed to cut the steerer properly, pretty flat in the end - not sure if I'll cut it myself after the fit. 

Brake hoses were surprisingly straight-forward to get through the frame + handlebars with the internal routing tool. Di2 was actually harder given how floppy the cables are (my routing tool didn't come with the Di2 attachment, doh). The brake calipers also came pre-bled, and it doesn't seem like they need a bleed/any adjustment - also happily surprised.

Got a bit of brake rub on the rear wheel - might be the rotor that's a bit warped though.

7.44kg inc. cages, Garmin mount + Varia mount, Garmin Rally RS200 pedals

Ultegra Di2 12s, 52-36t chainrings, 11-34t cassette - all standard Shimano stuff, nothing fancy. Did swap out for a direct mount for the RD though.

Using Elite Drive 50D wheels, 32mm GP5000 clincher, RideNow TPU tubes

« Last Edit: August 06, 2025, 09:06:51 AM by humbling9430 »

momento

Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« Reply #1529 on: August 06, 2025, 11:44:32 AM »
Does this frame flex as much (and as easily!) as the one in this video: https://youtu.be/CRI0uWVYNcA?si=SumWtRQYGRhXQxY8
Very superficial video.
If they wanted to do a proper test, they should have at least set up the frames with the same wheels and drivetrain.

I asked TanTan if there have been any updates regarding the forks, considering that some forums have reported documented failures…
This was their response:

Total weight: 438 g, including uncut steerer tube (-30 g?) and paint (-20 g?).