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

[Davidhe23]

¡La bicicleta se ve muy bien!
Cualquier plan para ir peso weenie un poco y bajar el peso con algunas otras partes.
También sea genial ver las calcomanías una vez que las obtenga, ya que me pregunto si serán fáciles o una prueba de instalación para instalar
[/cita]
It depends on how meticulous you are, I spent two hours of my time installing the decals.

[Sander2177]

¡La bicicleta se ve muy bien!
Cualquier plan para ir peso weenie un poco y bajar el peso con algunas otras partes.
También sea genial ver las calcomanías una vez que las obtenga, ya que me pregunto si serán fáciles o una prueba de instalación para instalar
[/cita]
It depends on how meticulous you are, I spent two hours of my time installing the decals.

I’m a like ocd lol
So think I can cope with a few hours lol.
Are they just difficult to apply?
Was hoping they be relatively easy

[glepore]

Bike looks great!
Any plans to go weight weenie a little and get the weight down with some other parts
Also be great to see the decals on once you get them, as I am wondering if they are going to be easy or a faf to install

Look more closely at the photo in the prom dress post, they're on.
They're tedious but not really "hard" to do. Get a squegee thing for vinyl application-amazon and elsewhere. The 2 issues with application are alignment-you don't want it to stick until its where you want it, and then the upper film removal-you have to go slow at a sharp 180 to the decal or it wants to lift the more delicate edges. If you see it start to come up, immediately go back down and over with the squegee. Follow the included instructions.
I didn't do all of the specialized logos, think its too much, just the sworks on the downtube. I did put the "specialized" for the chainstay on the inside of the fork legs for a custom look.
I'm aiming for 6.8 or 9. Not a lot of room to go. The expander was installed and I hear they're a faff to remove, so I'll leave it, rather than go extralight. The tires are tlr, but I like corsa controls in the og flavor and non tlr are getting a bit difficult to find. Already on tpu. Light Ryet saddle. Have chaser thru axles but its only 20g lighter than the clone Spec axles that come with the bike. Crankset could save 100g or so but at several hundred dollars as I'd need a different pm. I'll chip away over time.

[Sander2177]

Look more closely at the photo in the prom dress post, they're on.
They're tedious but not really "hard" to do. Get a squegee thing for vinyl application-amazon and elsewhere. The 2 issues with application are alignment-you don't want it to stick until its where you want it, and then the upper film removal-you have to go slow at a sharp 180 to the decal or it wants to lift the more delicate edges. If you see it start to come up, immediately go back down and over with the squegee. Follow the included instructions.
I didn't do all of the specialized logos, think its too much, just the sworks on the downtube. I did put the "specialized" for the chainstay on the inside of the fork legs for a custom look.
I'm aiming for 6.8 or 9. Not a lot of room to go. The expander was installed and I hear they're a faff to remove, so I'll leave it, rather than go extralight. The tires are tlr, but I like corsa controls in the og flavor and non tlr are getting a bit difficult to find. Already on tpu. Light Ryet saddle. Have chaser thru axles but its only 20g lighter than the clone Spec axles that come with the bike. Crankset could save 100g or so but at several hundred dollars as I'd need a different pm. I'll chip away over time.

Great thanks for the Advice
 Like yourself I’m not applying the specialized decals either just to much
Having dark matt purple decals over the Gloss Black UD.
Also have a Roval decal for the bars 
Just a waiting game now 

[kubackje]

I have an S-Works SL8—before that, I had the SL7 and the Venge. It’s not as stiff  as the Venge that was a harsh ride, but it’s equally stiff as the SL7, just noticeably more comfortable, thanks in part to the skinny rear stays. It’s fast on the flats, but also a great bike for climbing—responsive and snappy.

Anything else you’d like to know?

Wow that's crazy that such a cheap frame can offer such a good ride quality comparable to the genuine sl8. That's all I wanted to know. Thanks for the reply mate

[glepore]

Wow that's crazy that such a cheap frame can offer such a good ride quality comparable to the genuine sl8. That's all I wanted to know. Thanks for the reply mate

I think you guys crossed wires, Sander doesn't have his x68 yet, its on order.

[Sander2177]

Wow that's crazy that such a cheap frame can offer such a good ride quality comparable to the genuine sl8. That's all I wanted to know. Thanks for the reply mate

Gelpore is right!

I thought you meant the real SL8!
I Will give you my thoughts will be a few weeks yet though!

[jes2k13]

Prom dress.

Initial impressions, only 15 miles in a 20 mph wind. It's very comfortable for a performance bike, didn't notice the carbon spokes at all, but hey, I've never ridden anything with a really wide (26 int) and a 30. So I'm not qualified.
The position is aggressive, but I'm 65 and can ride it so long as the hoods are reasonably high.
It doesn't feel cheap, that's for sure. Does it feel like an sl8 pro/expert? Dunno. My guess is close.
Wheeltop? Man,it shifts fine. The app is difficult. Press the bluetooth thing or nothing happens. No one tells you that.
The fd shift is low in casual mode. Theres a guy on facebook that has a bootleg app that separates out race mode from sleep(oem app kills sleep if you select race), and I suspect that'll greatly improve fd action. Rear action is plenty quick.

Looks amazing bro congrats on the build!
Just wanted to know which size frame is this beauty? your handlebar stem and width?
and which wheelset is this?
Lastly how is the quality of the speedy decals? are they easy to put on?

[fhill]

First 800km in with the bike, rides really great, quite comfortable (not sure if this is my wheelset or the frame). Feels quite stiff nevertheless, but didn't do lots of sprinting with it yet. Only downside is an annoying creaking I can't locate, could be anything from bottom braket to seatpost.

[Sander2177]

First 800km in with the bike, rides really great, quite comfortable (not sure if this is my wheelset or the frame). Feels quite stiff nevertheless, but didn't do lots of sprinting with it yet. Only downside is an annoying creaking I can't locate, could be anything from bottom braket to seatpost.

Can we get picture of your build.

Not enough photos on this thread of X68 builds

[fhill]

Here you go

Not the perfect picture, because mid of ride

Went with 45mm wheels from Easedon, SRAM Red cranks, and Ztto cassette paired with 11s Ultegra di2.

[glepore]

Looks amazing bro congrats on the build!
Just wanted to know which size frame is this beauty? your handlebar stem and width?
and which wheelset is this?
Lastly how is the quality of the speedy decals? are they easy to put on?

Its a 49. Saddle height for reference is 67.5. Bars are 110/38. While on that subject, the Rapide is a gorgeous shape, but I'm not sure I like the reach (which is short when I run levers in my preferred up position with a smooth transition from top at bend to lever top-when I try to get forearms on tops not enough reach) or the drop (its a very full drop and I prefer compact). I'm hoping someone clones or comes close to the new Enve integrated bar with the slight rise, I could eliminate a spacer and still be more comfortable.
The wheels are Xiamen Carbon Speed, 50/65, 5mm carbon spokes. 1330g.
Speedy decals are nice, I've used them on a number of projects. Full review of installation a couple posts above. Easy enough if you're not trying to cover an existing logo, which is harder. They will scale the decal up slightly if you're doing that and let them know.

[glepore]

First 800km in with the bike, rides really great, quite comfortable (not sure if this is my wheelset or the frame). Feels quite stiff nevertheless, but didn't do lots of sprinting with it yet. Only downside is an annoying creaking I can't locate, could be anything from bottom braket to seatpost.

Funny, I also have a slight creak under power. Suspect I might not have the lockring tight enough.
I know ztto cassettes get grief on ww and other forums, but my gen 2 12 speed has been great so far, as have several OG 11 speed ones. Yeah, the alu cogs eventually wear but at the price they're great.
Is that a D1 or E1 crank?

[fhill]

Funny, I also have a slight creak under power. Suspect I might not have the lockring tight enough.
I know ztto cassettes get grief on ww and other forums, but my gen 2 12 speed has been great so far, as have several OG 11 speed ones. Yeah, the alu cogs eventually wear but at the price they're great.
Is that a D1 or E1 crank?

I can exclude the locking of the cassette as it's the same with different wheelsets. Funnily it's only when seated, might be seatpost or saddle. I like the 11s casettes from Ztto all Gen2 really well, they shift quite well and I don't worry about their wear that much. It's the "old" Red crank so should be D1.

[dovh]

I can exclude the locking of the cassette as it's the same with different wheelsets. Funnily it's only when seated, might be seatpost or saddle. I like the 11s casettes from Ztto all Gen2 really well, they shift quite well and I don't worry about their wear that much. It's the "old" Red crank so should be D1.

I also get creaking/clicking while seated, and it's most likely the seat post clamp against the top tube. It happens while I pedal, so with lateral pressure on the seat post and clamp. I didn't grease the clamp as described in the SL8 manual. I only put carbon paste on the seatpost. I will do it this week and report here if that helped.
In my experience, the creaking and clicking go away after reclamping the seat, and it comes back after a while. I did a 100k ride today, and by the end of the ride, it was creaking/clicking quite a lot. I got home and re-clamped it, and the noise is gone, so the noise is most likely from there.