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

[Sander2177]

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.

Well I did see an American post of a video of Chinese government officials pretty much saying that they can make the same thing better, quicker and cheaper so I think its possible there government has now given industry free rein!  Its also online they are considering giving counterfeiters free rein! So have  a search.

Well I will not lie the SL8 is lovely to ride an it is more comfortable in the rear than the SL7 i was riding the SL8 last year at 95kgs and there was no issue.
Now IM 20kg down inevitably its even more comfortable. A bike can make a difference to comfort but rider weight is also an obvious factor to.

Was not aware of the battery thing as I have ordered a power meter to accompany the wheels and carbon cranks I have ordered.
The supplier was kind enough to source  me the XCADEY PM for $265 and ship it, and had to be shipped separately because of the battery, dont think he knew either 
60 Days sound about right so hopefully my order will not be that long.

[patliean1]

I was speaking to a cycling apparel brand who's factory is based in China. Like the majority of brands. They told me they can't get their new summer collection here to the USA because of the tariffs.

I asked them:
1. The factory wont ship, because they are waiting on how to proceed with the tariffs?
2. Or the factory wants you the brand to simply to pay high price tariffs to release the shipment?

The brand said it's a combination of both - the current tariff is 145%. So there is no way the factory would eat that cost (nor would it be fair to make them eat it). That's basically the brand's entire profit margin. If not more.

I bring all of this up because TanTan would probably fare better in the eye of consumers if they just offered a little more transparency. I don't think the issue is rooted in SL8 IP. It's that they don't wanna eat the tariff costs on prepaid pre-tariff frames, while also not pissing off customers in queue. All they have to say is: "Hey we are waiting on the tariff situation before proceeding."

[glepore]

They don't eat the cost. What's dangerous to the consumer buying with all this uncertainty is that you pay, say 2k for a complete x68. They ship. When it arrives in USA, the shipper either holds it and sends you a bill for the tariff (currently 140% or roughly 1400) plus brokerage fee and cpb fees, or  delivers it then sends you a bill for that amount. YOU, the importer, pay the tariff, not the shipper.

Shippers are using low declared values to qualify for de minimis for now or low buyer expense later, but that's a risky proposition.

[pandinoyoung]

I think the interest in this frame has to do with the stellar praise of the actual bike

yes, it is said that it goes better than the original.
come on let's fly a little lower

[neobiker]

I'll say it again: come spend cycling holidays in France, we can build your bike there, you cycle for a week or 2, and you fly back You'd land in Geneva and cycle in Jura.

Are you from region?

[Sander2177]

Seems a few of the manufacturers are on hold in China at the moment while they tray to figure out what to do about the tariffs.
Its off topic but I had a message from an OEM (wont say who they are yet)  today asking of I was interested in the Quick Pro frame, which I was surprised about!
Wonder now if everyone who may have excess product is now trying to maybe off load some inventory
They have not given me a price yet but will find out Monday, quite possibly they could be selling at RRP

[Serge_K]

Seems a few of the manufacturers are on hold in China at the moment while they tray to figure out what to do about the tariffs.
Its off topic but I had a message from an OEM (wont say who they are yet)  today asking of I was interested in the Quick Pro frame, which I was surprised about!
Wonder now if everyone who may have excess product is now trying to maybe off load some inventory
They have not given me a price yet but will find out Monday, quite possibly they could be selling at RRP

Interesting, keep us posted! Even for 1k, i wouldn't buy it, going fwd i'd rather buy fast frames with higher stack, i think. With the economy where it is, with the western bike industry where it is, selling a frame for 1.8-1.9k that has very little brand / residual value in the 2nd hand market is a tough sale, i think. The reality is that the markup on a frame at this price point is extremely high, yet the brand value is extremely low. On top of that, this frame looks quite bland, and their aero claims are just vibes, it seems.

[Sander2177]

Interesting, keep us posted! Even for 1k, i wouldn't buy it, going fwd i'd rather buy fast frames with higher stack, i think. With the economy where it is, with the western bike industry where it is, selling a frame for 1.8-1.9k that has very little brand / residual value in the 2nd hand market is a tough sale, i think. The reality is that the markup on a frame at this price point is extremely high, yet the brand value is extremely low. On top of that, this frame looks quite bland, and their aero claims are just vibes, it seems.

Well something is up if the OEM is selling the frame they make for a brand!
Anyway Tan TAN are back in full swing X68 popped back up on main site and is not available back on the Seraph Site!

[Sander2177]

Yeah so a local racer here just contacted me telling he ordered an X68 in the same size I ride, size 56.

He said once the frame is in his hands and built, he's happy to let me demo it. The lord giveth...

This is his order:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DHlFrh1PBn_/

How much closer is this to becoming a Reality Patrick! 

[Tom77]

Awesome paint job.

I ordered two frames, one ud black and one painted, not with a bit so fancy colour.
I'm bad in Photoshop and even worse in explaining stuff to Chinese people, so....

Anyway, paid 4 weeks ago and no proper feedback from Vivian so far.
Asked for a timeline to get the frame shipped and she only sends generic answers.

[Davidhe23]

Here's a picture of the fully mounted bike. The first walks on it are being very pleasant.

[JImportante]

Here's a picture of the fully mounted bike. The first walks on it are being very pleasant.

Where did you order decals? or chinese done it for you?

[Sander2177]

Where did you order decals? or chinese done it for you?

Tan Tan

Will not put specialized on the frame.
I have ordered from Speed Decals

[EddytheEagle]

Hey everyone,

I'm new here – and I think this is actually the first time in my life that I've signed up for a forum. Usually, I'm more of a silent reader who enjoys going through comments on all kinds of topics.

But enough about that – let me quickly introduce you to my SL8 AliExpress Frankenstein project:

Frame: SL8 Size 58, pearl white matt – from Peter in Taiwan

Wheels: Elite Wheels ENT

Groupset: Ltwoo eRX 3.0 from Panda Podium

Brake Discs: ZTTO – 160mm front / 140mm rear

Saddle: Ryet 3D Carbon printed

Tires: Schwalbe Lugano 700x32C

Lately, I’ve been following discussions both here and on Facebook, and I have to say – it seems like @Sander2177 is always the most up-to-date with what's going on.

I’ve already tried a few tricks to get in touch with Peter (different account, calls, even asked AliExpress support for the seller’s email). What's curious is that the person managing the AliExpress account seems to be active almost daily. So far, he’s only read one of my messages – no reply yet, though.

Technically, Peter still has 7 days left to process my order before AliExpress automatically refunds me. So now I’m just waiting to see if he manages to get things moving before the deadline.

Just like many others here have mentioned – right before the holidays, I was told my order was ready for shipping and would be processed on the Monday before he "disappeared" (March 31st). It’s now been three weeks... I placed the order back on March 20th..

[raisinberry777]

Surprise, surprise, seller of counterfeits turns out to be dodgy - hopefully you end up with your money back and have learned a lesson.