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

[Davidhe23]

Initial Impressions - Frame Side by Side

Side-by-side, the frame looks identical to the genuine article.

Finish is generally okay, though I did notice a few minor ripples in the surface. BB and thru-axle threads had a bit of overspray - nothing major or that would cause issues.

Second post life without any problems.

One small hiccup: When I reinserted the rear thru-axle, the washer was stuck on the frame. For a moment, I thought it was bonded in. Looks like they fitted it shortly after painting, so it had stuck slightly. A quick flick with a knife sorted it.

The gloss UD finish looks great in my opinion, and I think it'll look even better once it's built up.

Like others, I checked inside the head tube, BB shell, and seat tube. Everything looks tidy - obviously that doesn't guarantee anything structurally, but it's clean and well-finished inside.

Fork came in at 399g uncut, and the frame is 788g (no hardware). I've got some Kern scales arriving soon, so I'll post a more accurate weight when I get them. For reference, my genuine frame weighs 701g.

Is the frame size 54?

[Cnasta]

[...] reply is to all you last posts

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Thanks for the photo's and the detailed information. I'll be following you build and maybe steal some ideas (as to components).

Is it size 54, and what is your length?

[pandinoyoung]

I don't get the weight of the fork, 399gr. I had read elsewhere if I remember correctly 340gr, less than the weight of the original

[makl]

I don't get the weight of the fork, 399gr. I had read elsewhere if I remember correctly 340gr, less than the weight of the original

Mine was 324 g uncut.

Additional weights: My frame was 843 g (size 56, with hanger), seatpost 163 g (380 mm version), bars 337 g (shortest stem, 380 mm wide).

[Sander2177]

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Thanks for the photo's and the detailed information. I'll be following you build and maybe steal some ideas (as to components).

Is it size 54, and what is your length?

Yes, it’s a 54cm frame, and I’m 178cm tall.
i might have the frame inspected at Carbon Cycle Solutions, where they can carry out a full carbon health check:

“Thanks for getting in touch with us. We can carry out a full carbon health check of your frame and forks, which includes a comprehensive written report and associated imagery.
We use a combination of microscopic and endoscopic cameras to check the inner and outer surfaces of each tube. Should anything be picked up, we will then use ultrasound to further investigate the area.”

I’ve got quite an extensive list of upgrades lined up, so I’m hoping the frame checks out!

Planned Upgrades:
Titanium Upgrade Kit for brake callipers

Shimano K05Ti resin pads

TI Master titanium rear derailleur pivot bolt

TI Master titanium shifter clamps

Chaser direct mount hanger (aluminium)

Chaser front brake mount (aluminium)

Galfer Wave centre lock brake rotors – 140mm & 160mm with Shimano lock rings

Overfast carbon thru axles

DFS Carbon Crank with 24mm titanium axle

XM Carbonspeed carbon chainring (planned 54-39T; fallback 53-39T if 54-39T isn’t possible)

Ryet saddle

Lucendi 1g bar plugs

Lightweight expander plug (Yes, a bit controversial, but I’ve used them without issue on both my SL7 and SL8)

Hopp carbon top cap with Extralight bolt

Magcad Garmin mount

ZTTO cassette (still undecided — mixed reports on shifting performance)

Barrel & nut upgrade for seat post wedge

Upgraded seat post cradle clamps and bolts

Maxxis Hyper SL 28mm tyres

Ridenow TPU tubes

DFS 60/65 T1000 wheels with 5mm carbon spokes.

Have a spread sheet and will post and list before and after weights for those who are interested and where purchased if its equipment I dont already have

Fingers crossed the frame gets the all-clear!

[Sander2177]

Mine was 324 g uncut.

Additional weights: My frame was 843 g (size 56, with hanger), seatpost 163 g (380 mm version), bars 337 g (shortest stem, 380 mm wide).

Jeez that quite a difference obviously  324g vs 399g.
For reference my original SL8 fork uncut was 372.1grams and the frame before I had it painted was 700.4g photos attached for reference
The scales are not the best to be honest but they cannot be that far out though.
Maybe some other recent purchaser can post some fork weights.

[JImportante]

Guys any idea how to instal this little plate? It's inside seatpost tube and keep the front deraillure hanger up. When I was trying to mount di2 cable this plate fall down 

[Sander2177]

Guys any idea how to instal this little plate? It's inside seatpost tube and keep the front deraillure hanger up. When I was trying to mount di2 cable this plate fall down 

Have you Instagram?

https://www.instagram.com/p/C0ZE6dKsiS6/

My mechanic good tip!
Also shows you in the SL8 Manual page 22

[JImportante]

Have you Instagram?

https://www.instagram.com/p/C0ZE6dKsiS6/

You SAVED my life 

[Oro]

My frame is Gloss in 58 weight 875g with both hangers and bolts. Fork weight 333 uncut.

[Sander2177]

My frame is Gloss in 58 weight 875g with both hangers and bolts. Fork weight 333 uncut.

The SL8 white paper attached fork is 358g in RTP with 240mm Steerer tube for 56cm frame

So we have quite a variation but I would double check again later pretty sure is will not suddenly jump 60grams though 

[dovh]

The SL8 white paper attached fork is 358g in RTP with 240mm Steerer tube for 56cm frame

So we have quite a variation but I would double check again later pretty sure is will not suddenly jump 60grams though 
Anyway my frame is going in next week for a scan

My uncut fork was 360.3g (somewhat good coffee scale ) but i don't remember now if it was with thru axle or not... And the photo i have is rather pointless in that regard

[pandinoyoung]

too much discrepancy in weight between the same forks, do they flip a coin before building them? heads or tails?

[Oro]

Here are my weights for a site 58 in UD Gloss:

Seatpost: 166g 380mm with hardware
Fork: 333g uncut
Frame: 875g with hangers and bolts
Handlebar: 383g 420x120 with stem bolts an top cap and bolt
Truaxles: 54g
Expander: 54g
Headset: 42g
Seatpost wedge: 20g
Flat mount: 16g
Spacers: 28g

[glepore]

Re the ztto cassette, I'm running a gen 2 (the one with the biggest cog being alu) 11-34. It works fine. Initially there was a bit of hesitation on the 5-4 "upshift" (going to a harder gear) but it got better over time, and with Wheeltop I was able to dial it all out. It is sensitive to the initial setting of the 11 and b tension.
The comment I would add is that its LOUD. Not horrible, but if you've not used a SRAM one piece cassette before you might think something's up. All of these hollow cnc machined cassettes make significantly more noise than Campy or Shimano.

I didn't weigh my forks as the brake hose was in place and I didn't want to fuss with it, but man those weight differences are disturbing, on the order of 15%. Mine has been ridden enough that I think it would have failed by now if it was underbuilt but I hate being a beta tester.