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

[glepore]

When I was sorting out my x68 sizing, I took an existing well fitting bike and measured reach, stack, and drop (by measuring bar height from floor and saddle height from floor ).  I was then able to approximate whether I could get the drop to work with acceptable spacer stack, and what stem was needed.
I was between sizes as well, using my measurments I was leaning to a 42 with max spacers and a 110, using Specialized's chart I'd end up on a 52 with much less seatpost and a shorter stem. Experience then took over-generally, I prefer bikes that I feel like I'm "in" rather than "on" and immediately gravitated to the smaller size frame, 110 stem, and live with full spacer stack. I love the bike and the fit, and I'm 65 with an injury history so if it works for me, yada.

[Cnasta]

I'll go for the 120x38 option bar-stem and the 54 frame. The frame I'm sure about. If the stem is too long, I'll find another option.

Just fighting with ChatGPT to finish my logo's. New version got much better, but aligning text is not its forte yet

[Bonus79]

I'll go for the 120x38 option bar-stem and the 54 frame. The frame I'm sure about. If the stem is too long, I'll find another option.

Just fighting with ChatGPT to finish my logo's. New version got much better, but aligning text is not its forte yet

Is it possible to see your logo or does it have to be a surprise? 

[Cnasta]

Is it possible to see your logo or does it have to be a surprise? 

It will be a surprise But it's based on my year of living in Bologna, Italy. Both the logo, (made up) brand and 2 decals will be hints to that City

[Bonus79]

It will be a surprise But it's based on my year of living in Bologna, Italy. Both the logo, (made up) brand and 2 decals will be hints to that City

Wow!
I'm from Ravenna, not far from Bologna...I'm really curious to see the final result! 
I couldn't think of any better ideas, so in the end I opted for the manufacturer's (?) brand and logo, but customized the font and logo because I didn't like the original ones.
I only had a sticker made for the top of the top tube.

[Sander2177]

Took my bike to the mechanic today to get the brake mounts properly faced.
Honestly, I should have done this before I built it. The brakes were never 100% perfect – no rubbing when the wheel spun, but they weren’t sitting dead-centre on the rotor. Under braking the pad engagement wasn’t even on both sides, unlike a properly finished frame.

On the road it felt fine most of the time, but out of the saddle there was a small “dink” noise that became annoying.

Worth noting: these frames don’t come faced. To the eye they might look okay, but the bottom bracket shell and brake mounts aren’t machined flat and level like the genuine SL8.

The BB itself has been fine, but the shell is painted right up to the edge of the threads. On the real SL8 this area is faced clean to bare carbon for a perfectly flat surface. Mine looks neat, but it isn’t truly faced, so I’m having that done as well to make sure everything is aligned.

After swapping bars, I had a headache with the front caliper – every time I tightened it, it would shift slightly. In the end I took it to the pros.
Could not find a facing tool on Aliexpress at all and for the cost and how often it would get used not  worth buying one.

Will be interesting to hear what the LBS mechanic thinks

[Cnasta]

Wow!
I'm from Ravenna, not far from Bologna...I'm really curious to see the final result! 
I couldn't think of any better ideas, so in the end I opted for the manufacturer's (?) brand and logo, but customized the font and logo because I didn't like the original ones.
I only had a sticker made for the top of the top tube.

Haha, cool. I'v just came back from my summerholliday. I send 1,5 week at Lago Maggiore and 1,5 at Pennebilli, which is pretty close to Ravenna. Still living there?

I've been to Ravenna a few years back to visit the (real) grave of Dante. When I had my last bike repainted I had them add the next line on the inside of the chainstays: "nel mezzo del cammin di nostra vita mi ritrovai per una selva oscura"

[Sander2177]

Thanks for the reply! Been admiring your IG account and especially the goodies on your x68. Might take some inspiration (for the 'cheaper' upgrades). If I need a 110 I'll contact you. Got some friends living in the .UK, so that could work out

Thanks
Always picking up bits 😂
Been so busy have not properly  ridden my new 40/45s zen wheels still! need  to review and give my thoughts on them but so far they have been great.
But I have bought a new cassette for them last week 11-34T 156g and have a set of Tune Centre lock rings as well.

I have a unused  titanium direct mount hanger for Specilaized  and derailleur pivot bolt for 9250 and 9100 if your interested 
As well

[Cnasta]

Thanks
Always picking up bits 😂
Been so busy have not properly  ridden my new 40/45s zen wheels still! need  to review and give my thoughts on them but so far they have been great.
But I have bought a new cassette for them last week 11-34T 156g and have a set of Tune Centre lock rings as well.

I have a unused  titanium direct mount hanger for Specilaized  and derailleur pivot bolt for 9250 and 9100 if your interested 
As well

I'll be mounting a 11sp Ultegra groupset (guess it's the 8050). Does that work with the direct mount hanger? What is the benefit of the titanium hanger (just weight I guess, and extra bling of course)?

Also I'm looking for a list of possible upgrades/goodies, incl. the prices. I mean, I understand Darimo stuff would make it lighter en more bling, but given those prices I'll skipp. The occasional bold/hanger/Ali-seat/etc. would cost the world and could potentially still save a few grams.

The only expensive stuff I need to buy is BB + crankset + PM. I'd like machined black aero chainrings (absolute black / stone / Riro / Pass Quest) with A powermeter (chargeable, not battery-powered) and carbon crankarms that fit this frame. Will be riding 52/36 on this frame (12-30 in the rear I think), since I'll take it to the Alps as well.

[Bonus79]

Haha, cool. I'v just came back from my summerholliday. I send 1,5 week at Lago Maggiore and 1,5 at Pennebilli, which is pretty close to Ravenna. Still living there?

I've been to Ravenna a few years back to visit the (real) grave of Dante. When I had my last bike repainted I had them add the next line on the inside of the chainstays: "nel mezzo del cammin di nostra vita mi ritrovai per una selva oscura"

Yes, I still live in Ravenna...but my "ideal place" would be the mountains (which I love)!
For the name of my custom brand, I tried to draw inspiration from the mountains...but "mountains" or "Dolomites" seemed too banal, so in the end I limited myself to a small sticker with stylized mountain peaks and the initials VDB (Van Der Benny...Benny is the nickname many people call me). 

[Sander2177]

I'll be mounting a 11sp Ultegra groupset (guess it's the 8050). Does that work with the direct mount hanger? What is the benefit of the titanium hanger (just weight I guess, and extra bling of course)?

Also I'm looking for a list of possible upgrades/goodies, incl. the prices. I mean, I understand Darimo stuff would make it lighter en more bling, but given those prices I'll skipp. The occasional bold/hanger/Ali-seat/etc. would cost the world and could potentially still save a few grams.

The only expensive stuff I need to buy is BB + crankset + PM. I'd like machined black aero chainrings (absolute black / stone / Riro / Pass Quest) with A powermeter (chargeable, not battery-powered) and carbon crankarms that fit this frame. Will be riding 52/36 on this frame (12-30 in the rear I think), since I'll take it to the Alps as well.

Its is bling and a marginal weight loss, but all these parts add up and you can get a direct mount on Aliexpress anyway cheap
My Chinese Carbon Crank is about 660g with XCADAY PM and Pass Quest rings  I did change the Rings to XM Carbon minimal weight saving but again this is more aesthetics. Plenty of crank option online this carbon crank is now very generic

[humbling9430]

So had the same issue when I had the frame delivered had to get the rear washer out of the back as it got stuck.

Hey Sander, any tips on how to get the rear washer out? Got some new thru-axles but they have the washer stuck on them.

[Sander2177]

Hey Sander, any tips on how to get the rear washer out? Got some new thru-axles but they have the washer stuck on them.

I had the same thing I used a sharp edge of a knife around the edge of the washer and basically had to dig it out. The push it out from the back on the inside of the washer.
Just take time will come out eventually

[SkylarRnD]

What would be the reason to get it out if you're always gonna mount the TA with the washer? Serious question bc mine is also stuck in there but I figured its a non-issue. Im sure Im wrong.

[Avalius]

Its is bling and a marginal weight loss, but all these parts add up and you can get a direct mount on Aliexpress anyway cheap
My Chinese Carbon Crank is about 660g with XCADAY PM and Pass Quest rings  I did change the Rings to XM Carbon minimal weight saving but again this is more aesthetics. Plenty of crank option online this carbon crank is now very generic

Did you like the pass quest chainrings? I don't like the movement from small to big with those, it works but needs alot more throw than with shimano :s