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

[Ride56]

Hi everybody,
I‘m about to order the Tantan x68 frame too. I want to build the bike with seperate handlebar/stem configuration, since I love the looks of not integrated aero handlebars. Probably even going for a gravel bar with flare.
Tantan does not offer a stem though. Anybody got a tip for a stem with spacers fitting this frame?

[Stubbie Blue]

Hi everybody,
I‘m about to order the Tantan x68 frame too. I want to build the bike with seperate handlebar/stem configuration, since I love the looks of not integrated aero handlebars. Probably even going for a gravel bar with flare.
Tantan does not offer a stem though. Anybody got a tip for a stem with spacers fitting this frame?

You can get an SL7 stem because that's what Specialized equips on the lower end SL8s.

e.g. alloy: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808188709728.html
carbon: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256809535610708.html
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808759291001.html

You also need to get different spacers and the transitions from an SL8 frame to SL7 stem, but actually Specialized sells them for not too much money.

Part # S222500009 has the old SL7 spacers that are squared off at the rear, and you get both open and closed top covers.

Part # S242500003 has SL8 aero spacers that are more tapered at the rear, and the way they connect to each other is different. It only comes with an open top cover.

[SkylarRnD]

For those that had a stuck TA Washer, how did you remove it safely? There is zero gap between my washer and frame. Ive tried using a razor blade tip before to try and pry it out. It broke the razor blade....any other tips or keep trying with razor blades?

[Sovi]

I just left it in there for the time being...

[bremerradkurier]

If the washer is ferrous metal, a magnet from an old platter hard drive might be able to grip it.

[EricL]

For those that had a stuck TA Washer, how did you remove it safely? There is zero gap between my washer and frame. Ive tried using a razor blade tip before to try and pry it out. It broke the razor blade....any other tips or keep trying with razor blades?

By looking at your pictures, I am 99% sure that TanTan gets their X68 at the same place where YohoBikes get their SL8.

My washer for the thru axle is stuck like that.

[SkylarRnD]

Wouldn't surprise me if they were getting it from somewhere else. I want to replace my TA with genuine SL8 SL road axles and want this damn washer out. Lol

[SkylarRnD]

After much fiddling with a razor blade, then files, and finally drill bits, I got the washer out. That was incredibly stressful. I was so nervous I was gonna drill through my frame. I had to use a nail and hammer to pop it out once I'd almost drilled a slot in the brass. It was stuck in there really tight.

[l45er]

Mine sticks in there too, but I can get it out from the inside (wheel hub side) as the hole for the thru axle in the frame is slightly larger than the washer internal diameter.

A small flat screw driver or nail punch resting on the tiny exposed lip of the washer and then a gentle hit with a hammer pushes it out.

[Tom77]

Finally completed my bike.

• Xiamen Carbon Speed D50CU-33 T1100 wheels
  Michelin Power Cup 30mm (will get replaced by Veloflex Corsa 32mm)
  Ultegra Di2 w. DuraAce clamps & cage
  SRAM Red E1 crank w. Sigeyi Axo powermeter w. Shimano rings (34/50)
  Ztto cassette (11-30)
  Campa discs 160mm f/r
  CEMA bottom bracket(ceramic)
  Chaser direct hanger
  Chaser brake adapters
  Elita carbon saddle clamp
  Titanium bolts all around
  Shimano brake pads with titanum back plates
  7g bottle cages
  Shimano DuraAce pedals
  MagCAD Garmin mount
  Carbon saddle (china stuff), will be replaced by BERK Dila
  ZIPP Service Course CX bar tape

Total weight is 6,65kg complete

Haven't done a proper ride yet, but the front section is significant softer than the one on my SWORKS SL6 w. a ZIPP carbon stem and 3t carbon handlebar.
The bottom bracket section is also not as stiff as the SL6, but not that drastic.

The fork is the heavier one (406g), the color matching is not perfect, but decent.

[Tom77]

[SkylarRnD]

Mine sticks in there too, but I can get it out from the inside (wheel hub side) as the hole for the thru axle in the frame is slightly larger than the washer internal diameter.

A small flat screw driver or nail punch resting on the tiny exposed lip of the washer and then a gentle hit with a hammer pushes it out.

My washer was perfectly flush with the internal diameter of the dropout, almost as if they molded the little bastard in there lol

[Tom77]

New tires

[Yends]

New tires

What a lovely build! very nice :-)

[Sander2177]

This frame being offered by Tantan is an unfortunate consequence of the high demand and interest in counterfeits. A few sellers, like Airwolf, have moved from open molds to mostly selling copies of other frames. I have no idea if these are better quality than other copies, but I doubt it. Afterall, where does the money spent go? Probably not into doing actual engineering work.

LOL at them being overstock from a Western brand. This doesn't happen unless that Western brand sells a catalog frame. It does happen for open molds or for molds where someone has bought exclusivity for several years but doesn't own the design. That is not the case for Cervelo, Specialized, Factor, and Pinarello, which are also not using these factories.

There are also visible differences between this frame and legit SL8 if you look close enough.

There is in my opinion are no obvious visible differences between the two bikes having both.
my 54cm frame was 788g but this is a plain UD gloss frame