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

[SkylarRnD]

I went to a few local stores to me yesterday and test rode actual SL8 to figure out size. I'm 188cm and 91.4cm inseam. My torso is a bit short compared to my legs and so are my arms. Wingspan is 190cm.

I rode a 58 Pro. 44cm bars with 100mm stem. SRAM Force D1 gen. It felt ok off the bat but over a 5min test ride my neck started to get strained. I felt a little too stretched out. Seat height felt ok but not 100% but thats expected with such a small test ride.

Went to another shop that had a size 56 Sworks with SRAM Red. My god this bike felt like such a better fit. I didnt feel like the stack was too low, yes it had all the spacers installed, but Id rather stack spacers than use a 90mm stem. I will be ordering a 56 X68.
Currently in chats with Vivian to do a custom paint job of purple and white. I work at a store that has a bike shop(large retailer in the USA) so I'll be trying to document everything I can while building it up.
I talked with Vivian about refacing the bottom bracket and brake mounts after paint and she basically said I'm on my own if there is overspray.
"Please note that we have processed the brake and bottom bracket positions, but if you find any mismatch or inappropriateness during assembly, you will need to adjust them manually. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!"

To anyone that has had their frame built up, how bad were the faces of the brakes and BB?

[Sander2177]

To anyone that has had their frame built up, how bad were the faces of the brakes and BB?
[/quote]


Compared to a genuine SL8, the brake mounts on this one aren’t faced — there’s a bit of paint overspray on them. But honestly, I just fitted everything straight on and haven’t had any issues. No brake rub, and alignment seems good so far.

I don’t have a facing tool — if I did, I’d probably clean it up properly. But I just used a bit of 320 grit sandpaper to knock back the paint on the mounting surfaces. Everything seated fine, and the calipers bolted up without fuss.

Overall, for the money, I think it’s totally reasonable.

[Jeslun]

That's how its sits you need to install fully and finish everything off. There is a gap on my genuine and X68 are the same

Perfect, thank you for the clarification!

[tiz92]

I went to a few local stores to me yesterday and test rode actual SL8 to figure out size. I'm 188cm and 91.4cm inseam. My torso is a bit short compared to my legs and so are my arms. Wingspan is 190cm.

I rode a 58 Pro. 44cm bars with 100mm stem. SRAM Force D1 gen. It felt ok off the bat but over a 5min test ride my neck started to get strained. I felt a little too stretched out. Seat height felt ok but not 100% but thats expected with such a small test ride.

Went to another shop that had a size 56 Sworks with SRAM Red. My god this bike felt like such a better fit. I didnt feel like the stack was too low, yes it had all the spacers installed, but Id rather stack spacers than use a 90mm stem. I will be ordering a 56 X68.
Currently in chats with Vivian to do a custom paint job of purple and white. I work at a store that has a bike shop(large retailer in the USA) so I'll be trying to document everything I can while building it up.
I talked with Vivian about refacing the bottom bracket and brake mounts after paint and she basically said I'm on my own if there is overspray.
"Please note that we have processed the brake and bottom bracket positions, but if you find any mismatch or inappropriateness during assembly, you will need to adjust them manually. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!"

To anyone that has had their frame built up, how bad were the faces of the brakes and BB?

mine were faced perfectly. Both BB and brake mounts. But I just have a standart black frame. Btw I should have made around 4000 km on the frame up to now. All good still. No issues to report at all.

[SkylarRnD]

mine were faced perfectly. Both BB and brake mounts. But I just have a standart black frame. Btw I should have made around 4000 km on the frame up to now. All good still. No issues to report at all.

I hope mine ends up super clean too! Glad to hear that you havent had issues! I love that it is a super aero frame, sure its probably not as aero as a genuine SL8 but I'm sure its pretty badass. I loved the geometry when I rode the 56.

[whysocompl]

Ok the bloody thing has finally arrived!
A few photos sorry there not more organised but did not have much time this evening.
Comments it looks exactly the  same.
Head tube is not taller before anyone asks its the way I’m holding the phone. 
Roval bar I need to look at it’s not 100% no groove for head cap to sit onto for a nice flat transition and no textured surface on top.
The tops look wider where the stem meets but have to get the calipers on it.
Waiting for some new scales
But frame was 798g no hardware
Forks uncut 399g
But will check with better quality scales when they arrive
First impression well I could have saved £5000k!!

Hi, I'm about to pull the trigger on a x68, but still unsure about taking ud glossy. Does anyone have experience with it, how raw is the look? Coz I dont really like the look of raw carbon, so maybe asking for ud matte with a glossy coat might be an option? The pictures on the thread have been really helpful! Are those edges something u actually see in the ud glossy frame, or is it just here on the picture due to lighting?

[Sander2177]

Hi, I'm about to pull the trigger on a x68, but still unsure about taking ud glossy. Does anyone have experience with it, how raw is the look? Coz I dont really like the look of raw carbon, so maybe asking for ud matte with a glossy coat might be an option? The pictures on the thread have been really helpful! Are those edges something u actually see in the ud glossy frame, or is it just here on the picture due to lighting?

Thats my frame so if you don't like RAW carbon my advice don't get it. Get gloss black.
this is the same as my real SL8 which is green over raw carbon so you do see the edges of the layup etc beneath the gloss

[whysocompl]

Alright, thanks a lot , I think it looks super great just not an everyday look for me, I like it a little more “tidy” but thats probably quite personal preference . Did people here get the CS-RDW-50-33 wheelset (26internal 33/34ext.) of peter or the one CS-RDW-50-31 with 24internal and 31ext. for the x68? Probably the first is too wide, or has someone been able to fit the with 32 mm tires?

[Sander2177]

Raw dogging was the past, and is 100% the future too.

Always the Joker
#standard 

[Sander2177]

Alright, thanks a lot , I think it looks super great just not an everyday look for me, I like it a little more “tidy” but thats probably quite personal preference . Did people here get the CS-RDW-50-33 wheelset (26internal 33/34ext.) of peter or the one CS-RDW-50-31 with 24internal and 31ext. for the x68? Probably the first is too wide, or has someone been able to fit the with 32 mm tires?

I have both the 50-31 and the 60-31 wheels.

With 28mm tyres (as shown in the photos below), they measure around 30.7mm once mounted.

I also have another wheelset with a 25mm internal width. With the same 28mm tyres on that setup, they measure 31.7mm – leaving about 5–6mm clearance on both the front and rear.

So, based on that, I’d expect a 26mm tyre to come out to around 32.7mm.

I’d be comfortable running 26mm ID wheels on the X68s, but I’m unsure about fitting 30mm tyres – 28mm would definitely fit, but in my opinion, that’s a bit narrow for a 26mm internal width rim.



Unless anyone else here is running that combo?

[SkylarRnD]

I have both the 50-31 and the 60-31 wheels.

With 28mm tyres (as shown in the photos below), they measure around 30.7mm once mounted.

I also have another wheelset with a 25mm internal width. With the same 28mm tyres on that setup, they measure 31.7mm – leaving about 5–6mm clearance on both the front and rear.

So, based on that, I’d expect a 26mm tyre to come out to around 32.7mm.

I’d be comfortable running 26mm ID wheels on the X68s, but I’m unsure about fitting 30mm tyres – 28mm would definitely fit, but in my opinion, that’s a bit narrow for a 26mm internal width rim.



Unless anyone else here is running that combo?

Would the 24mm internal 31external stretch a 30mm tire beyond an X68 tire capacity?

What width spokes did you opt for, 3.8 or 5mm?

[Sander2177]

Would the 24mm internal 31external stretch a 30mm tire beyond an X68 tire capacity?

What width spokes did you opt for, 3.8 or 5mm?

I would say that would work.
If the 28mm tyre measures 30.7mm when mounted, I’d expect the 30mm tyre to stretch to around 32.7mm, which would work fine.
I’m using 5mm spokes on the 18/18-hole hub
Additionally photo below there are in the XM thread wheels
Landed last week

[whysocompl]

I have both the 50-31 and the 60-31 wheels.

With 28mm tyres (as shown in the photos below), they measure around 30.7mm once mounted.

I also have another wheelset with a 25mm internal width. With the same 28mm tyres on that setup, they measure 31.7mm – leaving about 5–6mm clearance on both the front and rear.

So, based on that, I’d expect a 26mm tyre to come out to around 32.7mm.

I’d be comfortable running 26mm ID wheels on the X68s, but I’m unsure about fitting 30mm tyres – 28mm would definitely fit, but in my opinion, that’s a bit narrow for a 26mm internal width rim.



Unless anyone else here is running that combo?

Really nice, how do you reckon compare the 50mm and 60mm? I am still unsure which of them to buy, I wished there would be be a 55mm haha

[gbrnole]

Really nice, how do you reckon compare the 50mm and 60mm? I am still unsure which of them to buy, I wished there would be be a 55mm haha

you can build up a 50/55, 55/55, or a 55/60 through Zen who Sander has also purchased from and posted about.

[Sander2177]

Really nice, how do you reckon compare the 50mm and 60mm? I am still unsure which of them to buy, I wished there would be be a 55mm haha
[/quote
PMed you as not to clog up the forum