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

[glepore]

If you buy a complete bike you can spec the groupset, Shimano 105, Ultegra, or Wheeltop. The wheeltop bike comes with a cheap but servicable Senix crank, easy swap. The BB is cheap generic but also easily swapped if you care. Wheels are fine but heavy by today's standards. Chain is SUMC, again not a big brand but a decent Chinese chain. Tires are low end Conti.

Build quality is fine. After you get it, you might want to add grease externally to headset, carbon paste on seatpost, grease on seatpost clamp bolts. Brakes were well aligned and bled.

I had zero issues given the value proposition. I changed out the bb, installed powermeter crankset (Quarq on hand), did the grease service above, installed YBN chain and Supercaz tape. Sold their wheels and went with xmcs. Full season on the bike, very pleased.

[lastmanstanding]

Hello everyone,

Here is my update on the X68 build.

The frame arrived pretty fast and seems to be of good quality.
Unfortunately, the screw for the headset top cap was missing, and my request to TT for a replacement was not answered positively.

The build itself was not difficult.
The only issue was the alignment of the rear brake. I wasn’t able to adjust the rear brake so that the pads were not touching the disc. Finally, after using a 0.25 mm washer, I could adjust the brake caliper in an acceptable way. However, this should not be the standard, especially because you can’t insert the safety pin for the brake assembly screw.

The first rollout was fine so far.
Only the seat post slipped a bit, which I need to monitor during the next rides. Also, the headset play needed to be adjusted twice.

Overall, the first impression and experience aren’t that bad.
But hopefully, I’ll never have a serious issue, because I don’t think TT would take care of it.

I had the same problem with the seatpost on mine. Even tightening the bolt to 6 Nm, the seatpost would still slip. In the end I fixed it by cutting a small shim out of a Coca-Cola can and putting it between the seatpost and the frame. And of course, carbon assembly paste — I’m guessing you’re already using that, right?

[lastmanstanding]

Has anyone bought a complete x68 bike from seraph? How was it? I'm looking for something similar to my s-works tarmac that I can use for international travel. I would prefer to travel with a cheaper bike that i'm less concerned about theft/damage. I could also potentially have a seraph shipped directly to one of my destinations.

I would have a hard time building a bike for under 3k. I can't even find a used sl7 for that price. So a complete bike for 2900 is an interesting idea.

I have concerns about assembly quality and safety. Thoughts? I assume they are using the cheapest possible components wherever they can.

A friend of mine bought a fully built gravel one about 3 months ago, and so far no problems! Like they’ve said here, some components are low quality, but they’re easy to swap out.

[Ride56]

Pretty much in the same situation. Frame is on its way to me and I am trying to get everything ready in advance for a smooth build

So I just got my frame delivered, took quite a while during the holidays in germany. Do you need some Screw measurements or did you receive yours now?
Quite happy with mine, the paintjob looks really good, just the brake mounts are sprayed over quite a bit.

The adapter for front brake is not good, one counterbore is way too deep so I can't use it. You guys reckon Tantan will send me a replacement or just don't bother and get it somewhere else?

[Yends]

So I just got my frame delivered, took quite a while during the holidays in germany. Do you need some Screw measurements or did you receive yours now?
Quite happy with mine, the paintjob looks really good, just the brake mounts are sprayed over quite a bit.

The adapter for front brake is not good, one counterbore is way too deep so I can't use it. You guys reckon Tantan will send me a replacement or just don't bother and get it somewhere else?

I propably wouldnt bother with it, its the perfect time to order an adapter from Chaser 

[Ride56]

The compression plug in the fork is a really tight fit with the fork shaft. I would have to hammer it in and I'm not really keen on doing that. Anybody got the same problem or an idea what I could do?

[Ride56]

The compression plug in the fork is a really tight fit with the fork shaft. I would have to hammer it in and I'm not really keen on doing that. Anybody got the same problem or an idea what I could do?

For anyone interested: I just ordered the original Specialized expander plug which ist a way better quality than the one that came with the frame.
Together with a brake adapter that was defective I had to spent about 45€ extra.
Guess that happens when you order these cheap framesets.

[Tpower59]

The compression plug in the fork is a really tight fit with the fork shaft. I would have to hammer it in and I'm not really keen on doing that. Anybody got the same problem or an idea what I could do?

Used this compression plug instead of the shitty one provided
https://a.aliexpress.com/_ExUH3hm

[Ride56]

Has anybody mounted aerobars on their Tantan cockpit?

[Freddy__HH]

So I just got my frame delivered, took quite a while during the holidays in germany. Do you need some Screw measurements or did you receive yours now?
Quite happy with mine, the paintjob looks really good, just the brake mounts are sprayed over quite a bit.

The adapter for front brake is not good, one counterbore is way too deep so I can't use it. You guys reckon Tantan will send me a replacement or just don't bother and get it somewhere else?

Mine is there as well, thank you!

[OlHag Cyclismo]

Has anybody mounted aerobars on their Tantan cockpit?

I dont think its possible unless you can conjour up a custom clamping system.Theres no mounting system like factor, and the bars are not round. The bars are ripoffs of the roval rapides bars on sl8's

[Ride56]

I have a problem with the cockpit installation. I got the brake hoses through the cockpit, but when I want to install the cockpit on the fork it gets pushed to the right as if there is some cable tension. I don't know wehre it comes from, since I disassembled it and reassembled it without seeing an issue. How did you all install the cockpit?

[BeR]

I have a problem with the cockpit installation. I got the brake hoses through the cockpit, but when I want to install the cockpit on the fork it gets pushed to the right as if there is some cable tension. I don't know wehre it comes from, since I disassembled it and reassembled it without seeing an issue. How did you all install the cockpit?

When everything is assembled, try to unscrew the caliper (front or right or both) and turn it of 360°. I hope you will understand 😅.

[Ride56]

When everything is assembled, try to unscrew the caliper (front or right or both) and turn it of 360°. I hope you will understand 😅.

Oh so you mean the brake hose is twisted?

[BeR]

Oh so you mean the brake hose is twisted?

Almost, not really twist but the natural curve of the hose is not on the right side.