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

[cramy]

My 2 frames were painted in 30days, but one of the handlebar size is missing, I need 400mm but for the moment they don't have it in stock, so I need to wait for the next batch in couple of days.

[glepore]

Are the original spacers "closed" or can they be "opened"?
I ordered an Elita One SL8 handlebar for my Spcycle R088, but the spacers are closed...

https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005008651097337.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.63.61343696RqF24T&gatewayAdapt=glo2ita

They open.

[patliean1]

Patrick, congrats on the sale. You wrote a while back why you were planning to sell your SL8. I also remember shortly after you got it reading that you thought it was almost a magical frame with crazy free speed gains. Point being: your ownership of this frame has followed a very interesting arc.
For posterity, do you want to recap why you ended up selling it?

I just finished up a weekend of crit racing. Did two of the 10 days/stages of Chicago Grit. Last night's finale was the "Cat 5 Championship" race which is a rather hilarious title. Tough race (95°F/35°C) but I finished with the lead pack after they pulled the other 45 riders with 7 laps to go.

Buy whatever inspires you to play bikes more often. Spend as much or as little. One man's purchasing decision isn't more virtuous than the next. I say all of this because the Tarmac SL8 is a fantastic bike and I understand why it's so popular. There are marginal gains to be had when it comes to speed, climbing ability, and crosswind stability. Key word being marginal.

For myself however, the SL8 doesn't fit my needs beyond being a benchmark to review other bikes. It was the most requested frame by the viewers in late 2023, early 2024.

Getting back to racing this year has reshaped my opinion of what's important in a bike as an entire system. Bike frames do not live in a vacuum. Wheels, tires, optimal bike fit/position, fitness, and overall bike skills in general play a HUGE role. Mainstream bikes are pretty much dead in my opinion. That is if you are a consumer paying full retail price. The Chinese have finally caught up to make using them for racing 100% viable. Brands like Tavelo, Yoeleo, Yishun, (old) Winspace, and any of the legit OEM brands like Longteng will get the job done for 99% of consumers/racers. I even question how brands like Evolve with their CIMA frame can justify $2800. That's Giant Propel money without any dealer or distribution support. Of course I REALLY wanna review CIMA if the opportunity arises. I'm currently working on getting Quick Pro's latest aero frame.

I absolutely LOVE my Tavelo Arow. It's really just a $700-$800 as we all know by now. I've met racers using TanTan X68s. And now that I have the opportunity to test an X68 myself, I'm sure it will ride 85% that of a SL8. Assuming no factory defects.

[Sakizashi]

Buy whatever inspires you to play bikes more often. Spend as much or as little. One man's purchasing decision isn't more virtuous than the next. I say all of this because the Tarmac SL8 is a fantastic bike and I understand why it's so popular. There are marginal gains to be had when it comes to speed, climbing ability, and crosswind stability. Key word being marginal.

Generally, I'm a fan of your work, and I understand that working with them is a business decision. However, I think there is enough evidence in this thread to support the idea that working as an influencer to legitimize Tan Tan is anything but virtuous. In addition to the SL8, they seem to be moving towards selling more fakes (like the SSE copy). I understand why people want to buy them and ride them, unless it's badged as a Specialized, I won't make a fuss over them. But I don't know how you can say that it's "just as virtuous."

This is a company that lies to its customers, can't keep a timeline, ships forks that snap (2 in the small sample size on this forum is alarming!), and then gaslights customers. Perhaps it's my bias showing, but SP Cycles' story of Tan Tan buying frames from them to clone them seems wild, until you read this thread. You threw Yoeleo under the nearest passing bus for less.

[Sakizashi]

So I'm about 200 miles in. Mostly flats with the occasional 7-10% climbs/descents. Frame appears to be holding well. Quite nimble and responsive. Bike gets shaky on descents around 50km/h (31mi/h) - Could also be due to the fact that I dont have much experience at that speed. The bottle cages that came with the bike are quite flimsy and I have to screw them again every 2 rides or so. It appears the vibration during rides are unscrewing them.

As a weekend warrior, I have yet to be passed by other solo riders... take that as you want regarding the frame or the rider...

I would check your headset preload. Anecdotally 90% of the time this is it. Turn handlebar 90 degrees and rock the bike gently forward (perpendicular to the wheel) while holding the front brake. If there is any play, you need to increase the preload until you can't feel or see movement.

[bremerradkurier]

So I'm about 200 miles in. Mostly flats with the occasional 7-10% climbs/descents. Frame appears to be holding well. Quite nimble and responsive. Bike gets shaky on descents around 50km/h (31mi/h) - Could also be due to the fact that I dont have much experience at that speed. The bottle cages that came with the bike are quite flimsy and I have to screw them again every 2 rides or so. It appears the vibration during rides are unscrewing them.

As a weekend warrior, I have yet to be passed by other solo riders... take that as you want regarding the frame or the rider...

Does the shaking on descents lessen or go away if you grip the top tube with your knees?

[patliean1]

However, I think there is enough evidence in this thread to support the idea that working as an influencer to legitimize Tan Tan is anything but virtuous.

You are probably right. I had not thought of it that way to be honest. Now you make me wonder they have a change of heart, because months ago they said they didn't wanna promote the X68.

[Tines]

Generally, I'm a fan of your work, and I understand that working with them is a business decision. However, I think there is enough evidence in this thread to support the idea that working as an influencer to legitimize Tan Tan is anything but virtuous. In addition to the SL8, they seem to be moving towards selling more fakes (like the SSE copy). I understand why people want to buy them and ride them, unless it's badged as a Specialized, I won't make a fuss over them. But I don't know how you can say that it's "just as virtuous."

This is a company that lies to its customers, can't keep a timeline, ships forks that snap (2 in the small sample size on this forum is alarming!), and then gaslights customers. Perhaps it's my bias showing, but SP Cycles' story of Tan Tan buying frames from them to clone them seems wild, until you read this thread. You threw Yoeleo under the nearest passing bus for less.

Plus I’d imagine them only sending out proper QCd framesets for reviewing purposes.

[Dr J]

You are probably right. I had not thought of it that way to be honest. Now you make me wonder they have a change of heart, because months ago they said they didn't wanna promote the X68.

I am confused; they want you to promote the x70 or the x68?

[humbling9430]

Received my frame today. Paint job looks good, a bit of misalignment near the brake screw holes, but bottom bracket looks good.

Frame weight 880g
Fork weight 420g

Not the lightest, but in their weight tolerances (or just over). Good that the fork is the "heavier" option - no QR code, no flex in it.

Ran the endoscope through the frame, was really hard to see but looks okay I think bar two things:

In the top-tube, where the head tube meets the top tube, there's bit of the latex mould. ChatGPT says that this isn't an issue.

Also near the rear brake mount, seems like epoxy or loose fibres :| If epoxy then should be okay?

The rest seems okay, fairly smooth inside.

Tried cutting the steerer tube today, can't really get the cuts super level - how important is this? Might just take it to a shop to get it done. About a <1mm difference across the circumference. Good thing I practised twice with the upper parts of the steerer.

[Sander2177]

Made a few changes:
   •   Removed the purple decals — I was never 100% on them, so I’ve gone for a more stealthy look.
   •   Swapped in a new handlebar: 380x120mm, instead of the originally ordered 380x110mm.
   •   The bars were ordered from RK, but unfortunately one of the stem bolt heads snapped (and I haven’t even ridden them yet — just been faffing about).

They’re aluminium, which I usually avoid for bolts on my bikes for exactly this reason. I’ve let RK know, and he’s kindly offered to send replacements, which is great.

That said, I’ve gone ahead and ordered two titanium bolts and will just apply anti-seize when fitting them.

[gbrnole]

it's turned into a lovely build. can't complain with 6.3kg when you're running proper deep wheels!

[simo8891]

Made a few changes:
   •   Removed the purple decals — I was never 100% on them, so I’ve gone for a more stealthy look.
   •   Swapped in a new handlebar: 380x120mm, instead of the originally ordered 380x110mm.
   •   The bars were ordered from RK, but unfortunately one of the stem bolt heads snapped (and I haven’t even ridden them yet — just been faffing about).

They’re aluminium, which I usually avoid for bolts on my bikes for exactly this reason. I’ve let RK know, and he’s kindly offered to send replacements, which is great.

That said, I’ve gone ahead and ordered two titanium bolts and will just apply anti-seize when fitting them.

Cracking bike/build. Each to their own but I do prefer the stealthier look you've got now!

[JustinFox]

The stem bolts snapped at 5nm when you were just installing them? That's absolutely wild to me. I'd count yourself very lucky they didn't snap whilst you were riding dude.

If you know the seller (and I know you're a caring kinda guy but whether the seller cares or not... actually, they probaly don't give a $hit), I'd strongly get them to consider shipping the cockpit with steel screws as someone could really get hurt.

[Sander2177]

The stem bolts snapped at 5nm when you were just installing them? That's absolutely wild to me. I'd count yourself very lucky they didn't snap whilst you were riding dude.

If you know the seller (and I know you're a caring kinda guy but whether the seller cares or not... actually, they probaly don't give a $hit), I'd strongly get them to consider shipping the cockpit with steel screws as someone could really get hurt.

Yeah, I’ve taken the bolts on and off a few times while messing around with the install. Like I said, they’re aluminium — and in my opinion, aluminium bolts are pretty rubbish. It’s not really an excuse, but also not a surprise. I’m just glad it failed during installation and not out on the road.

The seller was RK Ultra Extreme on AliExpress (also goes by Mirror Carbonfibre Store). I messaged him on WhatsApp and he said he’d send replacements, which is fair enough. But I told him I’ve already ordered some titanium bolts and strongly suggested he switch to either steel or Ti going forward.

It’s been a rough week actually  plus I’m Ill 🤧 — the thread on my Ultegra rear brake caliper also stripped while I was adjusting the brakes this happened the same day so was pissed 
I was torquing it to 7Nm (spec is 6–8Nm) and suddenly there was a pop. The thread from inside the frame came out wrapped around the bolt. No idea how that happened — maybe it was cross-threaded from the start.
Ordered a replacement but will try and warranty itv with Shimano next week.