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

[Bonus79]

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

Hi, what kind of inspection did you do to the frame?
Thanks

[Serge_K]

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..

Common denominator is often the sworks version. Within pros, it's an open secret that sworks frames break a lot, and they usually dont recommend buying a frame from a team.

Pinarello was like that 5 or so years ago, with an ultra light version of the dogma that some bike shops refused to sell to customers because the frame simply wouldn't last. Awkward client conversations.

I would not spend sworks money on an sworks because there are too many stories of frames cracking while in the trunk of the car. I need my bike to be dependable.

These TDF level frames are the spear of the tech, and are not meant for mere mortals. You can't buy a formula 1 car, but you can buy an sworks.

My point as follows: while it's logical to expect failures on ultra light frames that compete on weight with the sworks, if we start normalizing frames cracking on this forum (again, hasn't been in a thing on here for years), let's distinguish the ultra light stuff from the other stuff, as i think that most people on this forum want bikes they can ride without fear of frame failure, at a sensible price point.

I would not put my friends on frames thinking that they may "just break like sworks". It's hard enough to make good friends, especially given how often road cyclists are just dicks, i can't start killing them, it's irrational.

[Sander2177]

Common denominator is often the sworks version. Within pros, it's an open secret that sworks frames break a lot, and they usually dont recommend buying a frame from a team.

Pinarello was like that 5 or so years ago, with an ultra light version of the dogma that some bike shops refused to sell to customers because the frame simply wouldn't last. Awkward client conversations.

I would not spend sworks money on an sworks because there are too many stories of frames cracking while in the trunk of the car. I need my bike to be dependable.

These TDF level frames are the spear of the tech, and are not meant for mere mortals. You can't buy a formula 1 car, but you can buy an sworks.

My point as follows: while it's logical to expect failures on ultra light frames that compete on weight with the sworks, if we start normalizing frames cracking on this forum (again, hasn't been in a thing on here for years), let's distinguish the ultra light stuff from the other stuff, as i think that most people on this forum want bikes they can ride without fear of frame failure, at a sensible price point.

I would not put my friends on frames thinking that they may "just break like sworks". It's hard enough to make good friends, especially given how often road cyclists are just dicks, i can't start killing them, it's irrational.

Thanks for this detailed input, Serge — your take adds a lot of nuance and clarity to the discussion.

You’re absolutely right to draw the line between ultra-light, high-performance, race-day-only frames and the kind of dependable bikes most of us want to ride daily without a second thought. That distinction often gets blurred, especially when people chase weight savings without fully appreciating the compromises that come with it. The comparison to F1 cars is a good one — cutting-edge, but not necessarily built for longevity or the wear and tear of everyday use.

Also appreciate you highlighting the insider view on S-Works and previous Pinarello practices. It’s easy to get dazzled by the marketing and pro endorsements, but reliability often takes a back seat in that world — literally, in some cases, judging by the stories of cracked frames in car trunks.

Unfortunately, I am a bit of a weight weenie myself — however, I don’t sacrifice performance or reliability in pursuit of lower grams. There’s a line, and I do my best to stay on the right side of it.

Your point about friends and trust hit home, too. Ultimately, a frame isn’t just carbon and resin — it represents confidence, responsibility, and safety for the people we ride with.

[pandinoyoung]

well, light frames have been built for a lifetime, I remember my scott cr1 in size 58 weighing 800gr or less. and it was from 2005. and if I remember correctly it cost 2200 euros. and it was safe, stiff and perfect.
anyway today I ordered it 58 raw. let's see the timing

[Tom77]

This was the first and will be the last order at tantan.
It's two full month now since payment and frames have not even been shipped.
No reply by Vivian since two days, no estimated shipping date.

Will open a claim at PayPal tomorrow, maybe they will speed up afterwards.

[Sander2177]

This was the first and will be the last order at tantan.
It's two full month now since payment and frames have not even been shipped.
No reply by Vivian since two days, no estimated shipping date.

Will open a claim at PayPal tomorrow, maybe they will speed up afterwards.

There’s been a public holiday in China since last Thursday for Labour Day. They probably need some time to catch up after the break. I’d suggest waiting until Thursday morning 9am there time to message them.
How many messages etc and emails have you sent that have gone unanswered?

[kubackje]

well, light frames have been built for a lifetime, I remember my scott cr1 in size 58 weighing 800gr or less. and it was from 2005. and if I remember correctly it cost 2200 euros. and it was safe, stiff and perfect.
anyway today I ordered it 58 raw. let's see the timing

It was the rim brake era, totally different game. You know how much force a fork fast to take today with them disc brakes? It's a lot... That's why first disc road brakes where heavier and mid ride quality and riders preferred the rim brake bikes. A lot changed but it's still not that straightforward to make sub 800g disc brake frame and lightweight fork

[glepore]

There’s been a public holiday in China since last Thursday for Labour Day. They probably need some time to catch up after the break. I’d suggest waiting until Thursday morning 9am there time to message them.
How many messages etc and emails have you sent that have gone unanswered?

This - its why mine stretched to 90. They get very backed up after a week holiday, and they don't work from home during the holiday.

[glepore]

well, light frames have been built for a lifetime, I remember my scott cr1 in size 58 weighing 800gr or less. and it was from 2005. and if I remember correctly it cost 2200 euros. and it was safe, stiff and perfect.
anyway today I ordered it 58 raw. let's see the timing

And all the Bianchi EV1's in sizes bigger than 52 failed at the bb. Light stuff is fragile, deal.
The x68 frame itself isn't world class light. The fork is close, but this failure was a process failure not a "light bike" failure.

[Tom77]

There’s been a public holiday in China since last Thursday for Labour Day. They probably need some time to catch up after the break. I’d suggest waiting until Thursday morning 9am there time to message them.
How many messages etc and emails have you sent that have gone unanswered?

Got a reply this morning:

"Another set needs to be remade with UD matte.
Please give us some more time."

[Tines]

Thanks for this detailed input, Serge — your take adds a lot of nuance and clarity to the discussion.

You’re absolutely right to draw the line between ultra-light, high-performance, race-day-only frames and the kind of dependable bikes most of us want to ride daily without a second thought. That distinction often gets blurred, especially when people chase weight savings without fully appreciating the compromises that come with it. The comparison to F1 cars is a good one — cutting-edge, but not necessarily built for longevity or the wear and tear of everyday use.

Also appreciate you highlighting the insider view on S-Works and previous Pinarello practices. It’s easy to get dazzled by the marketing and pro endorsements, but reliability often takes a back seat in that world — literally, in some cases, judging by the stories of cracked frames in car trunks.

Unfortunately, I am a bit of a weight weenie myself — however, I don’t sacrifice performance or reliability in pursuit of lower grams. There’s a line, and I do my best to stay on the right side of it.

Your point about friends and trust hit home, too. Ultimately, a frame isn’t just carbon and resin — it represents confidence, responsibility, and safety for the people we ride with.

Do you write these replies with AI?

[Sander2177]

Got a reply this morning:

"Another set needs to be remade with UD matte.
Please give us some more time."

They need to make a new frame because they messed up and painted both of yours. Ask them to ship one of the frames now. They’ll probably want to ship both together since the original shipping  was arranged for two frames.
However, since they can’t give you a clear timeline and this was their mistake, you should insist they ship the first frame now. They’ll need to cover the cost of shipping the second one when it’s ready.


Send something like the following since they cannot give you a timeline

Hi Vivian,

Since you’re already aware of the issue with the painted frame, I’d like to ask that you send out the finished X68 frame now, rather than waiting for the new UD frame to be made.

The delay has already affected my order, and without a clear timeline for the UD frame, it makes sense to ship what’s ready. When the UD frame is finished, I’d expect it to be shipped separately at your cost.

Thanks for your help, and I look forward to your reply.

Best regards,
Tom

[Sander2177]

Do you write these replies with AI?

AI cannot write for you.
You have to write it AI can refine it.
I use AI occasionally to check and refine especially if it’s a long reply.
Not keen on grammatical errors and spelling mistakes.

[acino]

Do you write these replies with AI?

It is very obvious and hilarious.

[Sander2177]

It is very obvious and hilarious.

 
I'm aware it is obvious I'm not that smart