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

[JustinFox]

A good friend of mine just finished his build: https://youtu.be/j2Le5kGi6-U?si=lIwtqN89H4q77138

https://youtu.be/j2Le5kGi6-U?si=lIwtqN89H4q77138

[ekzz99]

Has anyone here bought a full bike from tantan? How did the process go? I am thinking about buying it built.

I got quoted from Jessi 2546 USD for:

• ultegra r8170 di2
• 25 internal width rims 50 deep carbon (LC50C-31 Wheels with D238-spuer light-Ratchet centre lock 12s and Pillar 1423+SAPIM Nipples)
• custom 165mm cranks
• S775-1 pearl white paint finish

Plus 300 USD for shipping to europe.

[BikerJens]

Has anyone here bought a full bike from tantan? How did the process go? I am thinking about buying it built.

I got quoted from Jessi 2546 USD for:

• ultegra r8170 di2
• 25 internal width rims 50 deep carbon (LC50C-31 Wheels with D238-spuer light-Ratchet centre lock 12s and Pillar 1423+SAPIM Nipples)
• custom 165mm cranks
• S775-1 pearl white paint finish

Plus 300 USD for shipping to europe.

That sounds crazy cheap. Is that with DPD shipping?

That is almost what the groupset cost itself here in Denmark..

[ekzz99]

That sounds crazy cheap. Is that with DPD shipping?

That is almost what the groupset cost itself here in Denmark..

Yes it looks very cheap. Yes the shipping is with DPD to Europe.
But everything sounds real, just add 5% paypal fee to this cost. This is from Jessi at sales03@tantancycling.com
Attaching the invoice for the bike, probably going to ask without the tires and seat and re-calculate cost.

[glepore]

That sounds about right. My wheeltop build was 2250...

[ekzz99]

That sounds about right. My wheeltop build was 2250...

Did you buy the bike assembled? If so, how was it? anything to point out? Would you do it again?

[glepore]

Did you buy the bike assembled? If so, how was it? anything to point out? Would you do it again?

Yes, assembled. It was well done, other than needing some external grease around the headset. I swapped a couple things out, they use a generic bb which is probably ok but I used a premium ceramic one. Their wheels are nothing special, although they're now wider internal than they were then. I sold them and went with xmcs. Having the hoses run and everything bled was nice, and I suspect they cleaned up the brake mounts to do so. Mine came with an allow senix crank which ended up on my trainer bike as I had a carbon crank w/ pm here already.
At the price they're quoting for an Ultegra bike that's fully built its a no brainer really. The frame and group would likely run you most of that. I do suspect that If the current wheelset is a reasonable weight (mine was close to 1600g which is why it went) its a steal. If its not, you can still get a couple hundred USD for it. So you're getting a build for almost nothing.

[Sander2177]

Hi Sander,
One season in, how does it compare to the real one?
if you did a ride review / comparison, i missed it.

Hey Serge

To be honest I have seen all the YT reviews etc but honestly if you could do a blind test I don’t think many people would tell the difference myself.
The bike is stiff enough and it may divide opinion but it’s silly money for the frame and and bars.
Tan Tan have a questionable reputation customer service for many with issues is not great but I’m pleased with it myself.  Will it replace my real SL8 no chance 😂.
I’m waiting for the X72 Y1RS 😂

[ekzz99]

Yes, assembled. It was well done, other than needing some external grease around the headset. I swapped a couple things out, they use a generic bb which is probably ok but I used a premium ceramic one. Their wheels are nothing special, although they're now wider internal than they were then. I sold them and went with xmcs. Having the hoses run and everything bled was nice, and I suspect they cleaned up the brake mounts to do so. Mine came with an allow senix crank which ended up on my trainer bike as I had a carbon crank w/ pm here already.
At the price they're quoting for an Ultegra bike that's fully built its a no brainer really. The frame and group would likely run you most of that. I do suspect that If the current wheelset is a reasonable weight (mine was close to 1600g which is why it went) its a steal. If its not, you can still get a couple hundred USD for it. So you're getting a build for almost nothing.

Thanks for the feedback. How was the shipping? Everything went well? Any tip on things to ask the seller or something you would have done differently? The wheels are expected to have around 1600g yes

[Ger]

Has anyone here bought a full bike from tantan? How did the process go? I am thinking about buying it built.

I got quoted from Jessi 2546 USD for:

• ultegra r8170 di2
• 25 internal width rims 50 deep carbon (LC50C-31 Wheels with D238-spuer light-Ratchet centre lock 12s and Pillar 1423+SAPIM Nipples)
• custom 165mm cranks
• S775-1 pearl white paint finish

Plus 300 USD for shipping to europe.

That's a decent price for the full build. Yes, the wheels maybe a bit heavy for today's weight obsessed standards but no a big deal. Only thing to be aware of is that the chainset is a 105 instead of Ultegra, but again, better than getting stupid long cranks
My self built with custom paint, full Ultegra and Zen 40/45 wheels came at 400 usd higher than yours
 

[glepore]

Thanks for the feedback. How was the shipping? Everything went well? Any tip on things to ask the seller or something you would have done differently? The wheels are expected to have around 1600g yes

Well packed and shipped. The only thing they screwed up on mine was that I ordered the 3d saddle and it came with a regular. Luckily I had one here. There was a long delay but I ordered at the beginning and they were having some paint delays. 

[Jaaniusss]

Wonder if this touches Seraphs production lines also... - with all the mystery surrounding whether they actually manufacture this one or buy it in from somewhere

https://www.bicycleretailer.com/international/2025/12/05/specialized-credits-aliexpress-and-chinese-law-enforcement-largest

[Kar25]

Today I am assembling your tt-x68 frameset into a complete bike and I am wondering what torque values ​​I should use on the bike?
Can I use the torque values ​​from the original SL8?
If not, does someone have torque values that were given to them by TanTan?

Tnx

[cramy]

Today I am assembling your tt-x68 frameset into a complete bike and I am wondering what torque values ​​I should use on the bike?
Can I use the torque values ​​from the original SL8?
If not, does someone have torque values that were given to them by TanTan?

Tnx

This is what idid, I downloaded the sl8 user book and followed everything step by step.
For the brakes I downloaded the Shimano user guide and did the same.

Never built bike before and managed to assemble 2 of them without any issues following the different user guide

[Munzer]

This is what idid, I downloaded the sl8 user book and followed everything step by step.
For the brakes I downloaded the Shimano user guide and did the same.

Never built bike before and managed to assemble 2 of them without any issues following the different user guide

I will echo this.  When I built my x68, I also downloaded the SL8 assembly information and the Shimano torque specs. No issues to speak of.