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

[Sander2177]

I loaded paypal, Jessi sent me the invoice for a 58 frame, I was about to press the button, when I saw what happened, I am very uncertain about buying it or not
it does not leave me very calm

Would be a very good opportunity to send the photos from the forum of the forks and see what she says about them maybe.

[tiz92]

I just finished building up my bike, and overall, everything came together smoothly.

The build is full Ultegra Di2 11-speed, with a Dura-Ace 11-28 cassette and 53/36 chainrings. I'm running a C-Bear bottom bracket, XTR rotor up front, and a Galfer rotor in the rear. The cockpit features a 100x380mm integrated handlebar paired with a MagCAD 3D-printed Garmin mount. Out back, I’ve got some budget-friendly Chinese oversized pulley wheels, and the wheelset is a Fastop Wave 45/50mm — wrapped in 25mm Continental GP5000 tires with latex tubes. Saddle is a very light (75 gr as far as I remember) Aliexpress saddle which I used hassle free already on my other bikes for years.

Power is tracked with Favero Assioma pedals. As it stands, the total weight is 6.65 kg. Swapping to my climbing wheels and a SRAM Red cassette should bring it right down to 6.5 kg flat.

The build process was straightforward — everything lined up nicely, with properly faced surfaces and a smoothly spinning bottom bracket. The only small issue was the lowest headset spacer slightly contacting the frame, but a bit of sanding sorted that out easily.

I just got back from a 30 km shakedown ride, and honestly, it feels nearly identical to my Tarmac SL7 — which is a compliment in itself. It’s responsive, solid, and confidence-inspiring, with no noticeable difference in ride quality.

I will put S-Works stickers on it.

[pandinoyoung]

Would be a very good opportunity to send the photos from the forum of the forks and see what she says about them maybe.

most likely jessi, my intermediary, will already know this together with vivian.

[pandinoyoung]

I just finished building up my bike, and overall, everything came together smoothly.

The build is full Ultegra Di2 11-speed, with a Dura-Ace 11-28 cassette and 53/36 chainrings. I'm running a C-Bear bottom bracket, XTR rotor up front, and a Galfer rotor in the rear. The cockpit features a 100x380mm integrated handlebar paired with a MagCAD 3D-printed Garmin mount. Out back, I’ve got some budget-friendly Chinese oversized pulley wheels, and the wheelset is a Fastop Wave 45/50mm — wrapped in 25mm Continental GP5000 tires with latex tubes. Saddle is a very light (75 gr as far as I remember) Aliexpress saddle which I used hassle free already on my other bikes for years.

Power is tracked with Favero Assioma pedals. As it stands, the total weight is 6.65 kg. Swapping to my climbing wheels and a SRAM Red cassette should bring it right down to 6.5 kg flat.




The build process was straightforward — everything lined up nicely, with properly faced surfaces and a smoothly spinning bottom bracket. The only small issue was the lowest headset spacer slightly contacting the frame, but a bit of sanding sorted that out easily.

I just got back from a 30 km shakedown ride, and honestly, it feels nearly identical to my Tarmac SL7 — which is a compliment in itself. It’s responsive, solid, and confidence-inspiring, with no noticeable difference in ride quality.

I will put S-Works stickers on it.

ottimo

[Sander2177]

I just finished building up my bike, and overall, everything came together smoothly.

The build is full Ultegra Di2 11-speed, with a Dura-Ace 11-28 cassette and 53/36 chainrings. I'm running a C-Bear bottom bracket, XTR rotor up front, and a Galfer rotor in the rear. The cockpit features a 100x380mm integrated handlebar paired with a MagCAD 3D-printed Garmin mount. Out back, I’ve got some budget-friendly Chinese oversized pulley wheels, and the wheelset is a Fastop Wave 45/50mm — wrapped in 25mm Continental GP5000 tires with latex tubes. Saddle is a very light (75 gr as far as I remember) Aliexpress saddle which I used hassle free already on my other bikes for years.

Power is tracked with Favero Assioma pedals. As it stands, the total weight is 6.65 kg. Swapping to my climbing wheels and a SRAM Red cassette should bring it right down to 6.5 kg flat.

The build process was straightforward — everything lined up nicely, with properly faced surfaces and a smoothly spinning bottom bracket. The only small issue was the lowest headset spacer slightly contacting the frame, but a bit of sanding sorted that out easily.

I just got back from a 30 km shakedown ride, and honestly, it feels nearly identical to my Tarmac SL7 — which is a compliment in itself. It’s responsive, solid, and confidence-inspiring, with no noticeable difference in ride quality.

I will put S-Works stickers on it.

6.5kg that will be impressive

[CoreX88]

Hi guys, got the frame inspected today and fortunately it seems fine. The main impact was on the derailleur, which explains the fucked up and bent direct hanger mount. As I already wrote, they will provide a new and painted fork. CT Scan will be made when the fork arrives.

Let's all hope this was a one of situation.

most likely jessi, my intermediary, will already know this together with vivian.

I think they are all very aware of the situation and they have the pics

[pandinoyoung]

Hi guys, got the frame inspected today and fortunately it seems fine. The main impact was on the derailleur, which explains the fucked up and bent direct hanger mount. As I already wrote, they will provide a new and painted fork. CT Scan will be made when the fork arrives.

Let's all hope this was a one of situation.

I think they are all very aware of the situation and they have the pics

of course. you risked your life. you don't joke with these things

[makl]

Just to add some riding experience here: After a couple of kms, I'm really happy with the bike! Frame and wheels are/feel much stiffer than my 2021er TCR. Together with the lower weight this is noticeable in accalerations and also while climbing. At the same time, the bike doesn't feel more uncomfortable than the TCR. Bike handling in decends is also very comparable and "unremarkable" in a positive way (no "wobbling" or else...). Unrelated from the frame itself, the Wheeltop group has beed hassle-free and works very well. The broken fork really is a bummer, and not very confidence-inspiring. However, mine is still in one peace, also after a couple of bunny hops, pot holes and heavy breaking on steep hills (which really, and unfortunately, doesn't mean anything ).

[Sovi]

Just to add some riding experience here: After a couple of kms, I'm really happy with the bike! Frame and wheels are/feel much stiffer than my 2021er TCR. Together with the lower weight this is noticeable in accalerations and also while climbing. At the same time, the bike doesn't feel more uncomfortable than the TCR. Bike handling in decends is also very comparable and "unremarkable" in a positive way (no "wobbling" or else...). Unrelated from the frame itself, the Wheeltop group has beed hassle-free and works very well. The broken fork really is a bummer, and not very confidence-inspiring. However, mine is still in one peace, also after a couple of bunny hops, pot holes and heavy breaking on steep hills (which really, and unfortunately, doesn't mean anything ).

May I ask which wheels you're using?

[Tom77]

This purchase is a rollercoster for me so far.
6 weeks waitibgf time, wrong color, fork failing, more waiting time.....

However, I'm happy to see folks being pleased with their builds, so I'm eager to build my one, hopefully soon.

[makl]

sure! it's the wavy ones from serenade. there's a thread about them here in the forum.

https://amp.serenadebikes.net/50mm-Wave-Whape-Carbon-Racing-Bike-Wheelset-Ratchet-hub-1200g-p6220620.html

[Jouke]

Hi guys, got the frame inspected today and fortunately it seems fine. The main impact was on the derailleur, which explains the fucked up and bent direct hanger mount. As I already wrote, they will provide a new and painted fork. CT Scan will be made when the fork arrives.

Let's all hope this was a one of situation.

I think they are all very aware of the situation and they have the pics

Props to you for still having confidence in this frame.

[glepore]

Props to you for still having confidence in this frame.

Rode mine today on a fast 45k, and hit broken pavement and a plumbers trench -paved over but poorly-at 45kph on a descent without issue. I'm pretty well ok with the fork. Not prepared to say it was a one off, but also pretty certain its not the norm.

[tiz92]

While it's certainly concerning, it's nothing new that carbon can crack or be poorly manufactured. Two friends of mine destroyed their S-Works Aethos bikes—one by hitting a pothole hard, which cracked the top tube, and the other during a ride when the seat tube broke in the middle. These were genuine Aethos frames.

Something similar happened with a Giant TCR owned by another friend—the chainstay cracked out of nowhere, and the frame had only a few thousand kilometers on it.

Let’s not forget the fork issue with the Tarmac SL7.

We’ve seen pros on TV break their bikes and handlebars. It's true that buying a bike from a Chinese seller might make people more apprehensive, but in the end, it's not uncommon for carbon to fail due to poor manufacturing or quality control.... and it happens everywhere..

[fhill]

Having done 1000km and around 18'000 meters of elevation. I really like the frame and the way it feels.

Stupid question, but how the f to get the seatpost wedge out to grease that little mf.. I can't extract it...

Little addition, the hylix seatpost for the SL8 fits well but I haven't ridden with that, I just wanted to test wheter I can switch to it if I wouldn't be happy with the setback post