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

[dovh]

I was one of those people saying prison on Facebook  but I did say this was from another seller of frames and whether it was true or not was another thing. A few sellers may have gone to ground until thing down, or maybe the supply chain has been temporarily disrupted but again this is conjecture.
Anyway Tan Tan still posted a frame today on Instagram looks like a repost of Dovh's bike built up. Think its strange they postedit considering its on "hold" and some has already asked if its available as they heard it was on hold, was that anyone one here?

Yeah, that's my frame/bike build they posted on IG. I messaged them about what durability tests they are doing for this frame but got just a generic response that all tests were done and QC passed. I also sent them the picture since we talked about whether I could send it when the bike would be finished.

With the "on hold" situation, it might very well be that they have a high demand for the frame or are waiting for clarification on some tariff stuff. They might be scared that they will have to pay more for shipping and are now waiting before they send it out to get money from customers up front instead of getting it back from them.

I am glad that I managed to get mine before this issue.

[Cnasta]

Well I have no idea what the deal is!
I have messaged from another account  and they are still selling the frame

$589usd
$150usd shipping
Shipping in 20-25 days
with shipping takimg 10-18days
yada yada yada.


Then message for an update on the "on hold" situation and get told  I will get an answer next week and not to worry!

Hard not to wory  when your told frame is on hold and then they are still sellimg the frame, makes you think what the hell is going on!

Indeed, i'd be worried to. Keep us posted, since I really prefer the look of this frame over the spycycle r088

[Sander2177]

Well lots of contradictory information coming from Tan Tan at the moment!
Frames on hold but taking new orders and reposts of Dovhs frame on two of there Instagram post.
Could well be to do with Donald Trump puffing his chest out lol , and costing everyone more money 

[Sander2177]

Indeed, i'd be worried to. Keep us posted, since I really prefer the look of this frame over the spycycle r088

The R088 does look a little more like the SL6 in my opinion.
And I like the integrated cockpit frame myself more than a traditional head tube,
I like the SL8 look myself but have beSen looking at some alternative like the Winow WR054 but that is a beast of  frame about 1290g in medium UD forks are 570g, seatpost 270g and  the bars are not too bad at 350g so, also the Hong Fu (Avenger) Shuttle SL is $900usd in the 750g or $800usd for 870g and that is a good looking bike but need to look at the OEMS because as you know they have the same moulds

[JImportante]

Answer from Vivian today..
"Your order is OK.
Please don't worry.
Thank you."

Ordered 19th march to europe. Will see how it develop

[Sander2177]

Answer from Vivian today..
"Your order is OK.
Please don't worry.
Thank you."

Ordered 19th march to europe. Will see how it develop

Well:
"Suspension of Sale only temporary.
The problem being solved now.
Ready for sale."


We would all love to know the problem! 


Latest update:

ok I have had a response.

"The quality of the frame is no problem. So don't worry.
Its a matter of whether our molds can be sold This one has no effect on the previous purchase"

So what they're basically saying the issue was with whether they were allowed to keep selling that particular frame (probably due to licensing or copyright concerns) but it doesn't affect any frames that have already been sold.

Still pressing for more info!

[glepore]

So I'm curious as to how they declare complete bikes. I have a 2k bike in route, in what appears to be one package (one t/n). They did send the bits with batteries separately. But the bike has been in transit 15 days, hasn't moved for the last 4, was customs inspected for 5, and was shipped China Post (grrr). And today the orange buffon that is our President increased tariffs for non de minimis shipments to 104%.
So my 2k bike now is likely 3.5k or 4k, if they declared full value. If they didn't, I'm very likely to get hassled by customs given the pressure.
Buyer beware. I'm thinking of just walking away if the bike ever actually gets here and I get a 1.5k bill.

[Sander2177]

Ok another update now Ber put me onto a seller/manufacturer.
Seems quite honest and Ber did say he was straight up
Now he has told me production of the replica is 3-4 months with delivery.
read message screen shots this may explain why some sellers have gone AWOL.
He did have stock frame but a selection with pre sized bars which are no good.
May ask Tan Tan about this and request a refund if necessary

In the context of China, the Market Management Department (often referring to the Market Supervision Administration or 市场监督管理局) is a government authority responsible for:



Regulating product quality and safety
Overseeing intellectual property rights (IPR)
Investigating counterfeit or replica products
Managing business licensing and fair market practices




If you’ve been told they’re checking replica frames, it likely means there’s an investigation into whether a frame design (like the one you ordered) may be infringing on a brand’s copyright, patent, or trademark—often because it’s too similar to a well-known brand’s design.



This could explain why Tan Tan paused sales briefly—they might be under review or being cautious while waiting for the outcome of that check.

[Sander2177]

Well I had a text this morning and it’s looks:


I have good news for you:
For the TT-X68 order that has been paid,
all supply links are running normally,
and your order is progressing steadily.

Thank you for your trust and support for our products,
I wish you a happy life.

Best wishes.
Vivian.

I did question and disruption to production as the quoted 20-25 days meant I get the frame end of April.
Reply was:

20-25 working days.
Please take note. Thank you.
I will report to you when there is an update.
No estimated date at this time. Thank you.


Anyone else with an order have any news or updates?

[tiz92]

I mean yes. As I said I paye on march 13th and a few days ago she told me frame will be send between 12th to 18th April. Lets hope.

[Serge_K]

it sounds like these frames are flying off the shelves. I spoke with a chinese seller saying that chinese factories aren't focused on bikes like the pinarello X or BMC roadmachines because the chinese population is young and wants to ride the bikes from the TDF.
Point being, pretty sure that for those buying these SL8 clones, your money is competing with chinese money, so the whole planet wants that frame. Well done specialized

[Sander2177]

it sounds like these frames are flying off the shelves. I spoke with a chinese seller saying that chinese factories aren't focused on bikes like the pinarello X or BMC roadmachines because the chinese population is young and wants to ride the bikes from the TDF.
Point being, pretty sure that for those buying these SL8 clones, your money is competing with chinese money, so the whole planet wants that frame. Well done specialized

One of the sellers I spoke to yesterday, as I mentioned, said the wait time for an SL8 is around 3–4 months—but he could get me a Dogma F in just 1–2 months.

I also asked about the Scott Addict RC Pro, and he mentioned that the wait would be even longer, since it's not a particularly popular model and isn’t held in stock. It would have to be made and added to the production queue along with the SL8s.

So yes, it seems like everyone is going crazy for the SL8s right now!

I also spoke with another seller—Cherry, I think, from Champion Bicycle or something similar—who said they aren't affected by the long wait times and claimed their frames are high quality. But let’s be honest, they all claim that!

I'm just happy to be back on track with Tan Tan, but I’m taking their timeline with a pinch of salt. Some buyers are still waiting for delivery, but these delays will be out of Tan Tan’s control. Hopefully, they can stick to the 20–25 day production time they’re quoting. It’s also great to hear about other people’s experiences with Tan Tan.

And yes, I am putting Spec decals on the frame—some may not agree, but I’ve got a real SL8, so that’s my excuse! I'm going for matte black decals over a gloss UD carbon frame. These are from Speedy Decals, although I recently found out I can get decals from a Specialized-approved painter in the UK for half the price—so I’ve ordered a set to compare quality.

[Serge_K]

And yes, I am putting Spec decals on the frame—some may not agree, but I’ve got a real SL8, so that’s my excuse!

That reminds me of that Friends episode where Joey buys Porsche gizmos because he wishes he owned the one parked next to the coffee shop
You dont need a stranger on the internet to tell you it's illegal, you do you!

What's really interesting to me is the fascination with the SL8, over everything else. It's got to be the brand at least as much as the performance of the frame. In which case, it's to be expected that people would want to put fake logos on it. I have a president who married a dude, so really, who am i to lecture anyone on false advertising?

[Sander2177]

That reminds me of that Friends episode where Joey buys Porsche gizmos because he wishes he owned the one parked next to the coffee shop
You dont need a stranger on the internet to tell you it's illegal, you do you!

What's really interesting to me is the fascination with the SL8, over everything else. It's got to be the brand at least as much as the performance of the frame. In which case, it's to be expected that people would want to put fake logos on it. I have a president who married a dude, so really, who am i to lecture anyone on false advertising?

  I dont think I am at risk of the authoritied breakimg don my door at 5am!
Plus, it will be subtle

This thing is  I'm a bit of an S-Works fanboy..... or sucker, if prefer
Iv had the SL6, Venge, SL7 and now SL8
Some people are not fans but if you have not had or ridden or owned one how can an opinion be formed.
They have all been great bikes. Well the Venge was a git of a bone rattler...

Out of all the copies the SL8 is probably the lightest available.
And as s weight weenie i want to build one up using less expensive parts and see how light I can get it. I'm pretty confident 6.8kgs or under

[glepore]

I suspect that given the outright trade war, China isn't interested at the moment in protecting any US ip. Can't blame them.

My frame was 60 days from order. However, that included New Years and paint.

I think the interest in this frame has to do with the stellar praise of the actual bike in terms of ride quality in relation to performance. Whether that carries over remains to be seen. The falloff in US demand should help purchasers in your situation.

After some communication back and forth I'm hoping that I don't have a tariff issue. The electronics were shipped DHL due to the batteries so the package should come in under de minimis if it arrives by 5/2.