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

[Tom77]

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

Second this

BB  was faced by myself, but it's hard to find a bike shop which has a tool for the brakes and which is willing to do the job.

[SkylarRnD]

So if there us still shipping offer with taxes are customs now in the US being more thorough checking shipments?
US guys always asking about shipping and taxes obviously

I don't know about current taxes and shipping. Vivian told me at the time that they have a way of shipping that 'includes' tariffs....I would reach out to her and see what she says about it in this new environment.

[glepore]

For Sander and others looking at saving some seatpost weight-rec'd my "f12" style carbon parts today-the top plate is 17g vs 10 for the zrace yokes, but it supports the rails the entire length of the plate. It'll also need a m5 barrel nut, so another couple of grams. Going to go that way anyhow as I don't really trust the yokes after having one snap.

[Sander2177]

I don't know about current taxes and shipping. Vivian told me at the time that they have a way of shipping that 'includes' tariffs....I would reach out to her and see what she says about it in this new environment.

Try use the same method as everyone shilling from China
Consolidated Shipping.
Shipping agents in China bundles a large shipment together and pre pays taxes basically

[Dr J]

For those looking to order an X68, here is my journey so far.

As I posted in another thread, I ordered the X68 from TanTan on June 26th and the frame was delivered on August 19th.   Roughly 7 weeks from order to delivery. It was delivered via UPS, as of yet, no additional cost for customs or tariffs.  $719 for the frame kit and $160 for shipping.

The quality control (or lack thereof) for my frame/fork is questionable at best. There is a scratch on the right fork leg and small area on the seat tube just under the seatpost hole that didn’t get thorough paint coverage.

In the grand scheme of things, these are minor.  The major annoyance is that the handlebar/stem does not fit around the steerer tube. From what I can tell, the diameter of the stem opening is undersized.  I have an EXS Aerover handlebar/stem that does fit the steerer tube. The fork is the heavier fork, I think it weighed in at 406 grams.

Also, the clearance in the drive side chainstay for the Di2 cable (installing 12 speed Ultegra groupset) to the rear derailleur is very tight and took some effort to get the cable through. I haven’t tried running the brake hose through the non-drive side chainstay yet, so fingers crossed.

None of these are dealbreakers, but buyer beware.

Damn that sucks. But you wille be able to install the Bars. Just use sandpaper on the inside of the bar to grind a little bit off. You will get it to fit.

[Munzer]

Damn that sucks. But you wille be able to install the Bars. Just use sandpaper on the inside of the bar to grind a little bit off. You will get it to fit.

I contacted EXS and was able to order the SL8 spacer kit for the Aerover bars. I originally had those bars on a Trek Emonda that I got rid of, but I kept the bars.

The bars that came with the X68 are just gonna be a wall hanger until I figure out what I wanna do with them.

[Jettin]

Hi All,
I have a fake SL8 from Taiwan Eisen. It was one of the first released in November 2024 and the fork is the light one (321gr, uncut, naked carbon finish).
No issue so far but, considering some of the incidents, I would like to replace the fork with the new reinforced one.
I have asked to Vivian from TanTan but she does not want to sell me only the fork! (I do not know why...).
Any idea on how to get the reinforced fork ?

I also need to buy a new handlebar, 38X110mm, "Roval-like" style. Where can I found a good one ?

Thank you in advance!

p.s.: if someone is ordering a frame from TanTan and the delivery Country is italy, I could add my fork and contribute to the delivery costs.

Received my Elita One Sl8 rep bars, there's an ugly round spot and the branding and finish is awful.

380x90mm 327 grams.

[Mario kart]

Anyone running 32c tires on xmcarbonspeed 26iw? Does it have any room to spare especially in the fromt?

Im actually running 32c on 28iw in the front and 32c on 26iw on the rear. Usually the fork had more clearance than the rear so this combo fits most 32c frames

[patliean1]

Anyone running 32c tires on xmcarbonspeed 26iw? Does it have any room to spare especially in the fromt?

Im actually running 32c on 28iw in the front and 32c on 26iw on the rear. Usually the fork had more clearance than the rear so this combo fits most 32c frames

Yes

[patliean1]

Currently en route. Based on my previous TanTan order, I reckon it should arrive middle of October LoL

So within the past 3 weeks I've had a significant breakthrough regarding my overall bike fit. I've spent basically four years chasing that final 95th to 99th percentile in terms of comfort, sit bone symmetry on the saddle, and pedaling efficiency. Lots of experimenting with cleat shims and saddle tinkering. You don't realize how much the human body can adapt to be sightly uncomfortable...until you both feel and understand what actual saddle/bike comfort feels like. I should make a bro science video on this...

Anyway, I have an even better grasp now on how my bikes should truly "feel." Looking forward to translating that on the X68 so I can put the frame through my normal testing.

[Rallyfocus]

@patliean1 what colour is that? It looks great!

I was just about to pull the trigger on an SL8 clone last week, but got sidetracked after my brand new car got wrecked by some idiot on a cell phone.

Now that my blood pressure is nearly back to "normal" I'll get back to bike shopping.

[planet_sammy]

@patliean1 what colour is that? It looks great!

I was just about to pull the trigger on an SL8 clone last week, but got sidetracked after my brand new car got wrecked by some idiot on a cell phone.

Now that my blood pressure is nearly back to "normal" I'll get back to bike shopping.

I think the color code is YS3233 if you looking at Vivian current post on instagram

[Bonus79]

Currently en route. Based on my previous TanTan order, I reckon it should arrive middle of October LoL

So within the past 3 weeks I've had a significant breakthrough regarding my overall bike fit. I've spent basically four years chasing that final 95th to 99th percentile in terms of comfort, sit bone symmetry on the saddle, and pedaling efficiency. Lots of experimenting with cleat shims and saddle tinkering. You don't realize how much the human body can adapt to be sightly uncomfortable...until you both feel and understand what actual saddle/bike comfort feels like. I should make a bro science video on this...

Anyway, I have an even better grasp now on how my bikes should truly "feel." Looking forward to translating that on the X68 so I can put the frame through my normal testing.

The frame color and branding are fantastic! 
Is the brand brushed aluminum?

[Sander2177]

Currently en route. Based on my previous TanTan order, I reckon it should arrive middle of October LoL

So within the past 3 weeks I've had a significant breakthrough regarding my overall bike fit. I've spent basically four years chasing that final 95th to 99th percentile in terms of comfort, sit bone symmetry on the saddle, and pedaling efficiency. Lots of experimenting with cleat shims and saddle tinkering. You don't realize how much the human body can adapt to be sightly uncomfortable...until you both feel and understand what actual saddle/bike comfort feels like. I should make a bro science video on this...

Anyway, I have an even better grasp now on how my bikes should truly "feel." Looking forward to translating that on the X68 so I can put the frame through my normal testing.

Nice Choice of Colours Patrick.
Looking forwards to hearing you thought and comparisons on this.
Given the controversial nature of this frame will there be a YT video, if there is I'm sure you will have to be careful with your words!
Such as inspired by 

[Bobinski]

Currently en route. Based on my previous TanTan order, I reckon it should arrive middle of October LoL

So within the past 3 weeks I've had a significant breakthrough regarding my overall bike fit. I've spent basically four years chasing that final 95th to 99th percentile in terms of comfort, sit bone symmetry on the saddle, and pedaling efficiency. Lots of experimenting with cleat shims and saddle tinkering. You don't realize how much the human body can adapt to be sightly uncomfortable...until you both feel and understand what actual saddle/bike comfort feels like. I should make a bro science video on this...

Anyway, I have an even better grasp now on how my bikes should truly "feel." Looking forward to translating that on the X68 so I can put the frame through my normal testing.

That will do nicely…as we say in the UK