Spcycle New Mold SP-R088 Carbon Road Frame

[Bonus79]

@jonathanf2 could you post a photo of your R88 from the same perspective as the attached image (refers to the Seraph X68 frame)?
It seems like the seatstays are narrower than on the X68 and the original SL8...

[jonathanf2]

@jonathanf2 could you post a photo of your R88 from the same perspective as the attached image (refers to the Seraph X68 frame)?
It seems like the seatstays are narrower than on the X68 and the original SL8...

They look similar to me. Here's a shot from over the weekend. 

[Bonus79]

They look similar to me. Here's a shot from over the weekend. 

It's probably the perspective that is deceiving, but the fixing point of the seatstays of the SL8 seems further apart.
Thank you

[Bonus79]

I know just wanted to make sure what to choose while ordering to get the same look. Btw. just ordered the frame in size 54 UD glossy haha.

Around 570 dollars including tax free shipping to europe after aliexpress coupons (cheaper than ordering on the website right now). They told me it will take 35 days to arrive.

@jonathanf2 two more questions:

1. can you tell me the name of those handlebars? I'm also planning to go with a bar and stem combo and those handlebars look really good
2. in a previous post you said you applied protective decals to your frame. do you have a link for those or did you just use generic adhesive wrap?

Unfortunately I missed the moment....currently on Aliexpress there are no coupons and discounts on shipping costs, so it is better to buy directly from Spcycle....even if the price is not so advantageous and (so they told me) there is no possibility of paying with Paypal in 3 installments.
While waiting to get all the components  and choose the paint (I am very undecided on the color), I hope that some other interesting offer pops up....otherwise I could re-evaluate the Seraph TT-X68, even if it is a 1:1 copy of the SL8 and I would prefer a frame that is more different in shape.

[Sander2177]

It's probably the perspective that is deceiving, but the fixing point of the seatstays of the SL8 seems further apart.
Thank you

R088 lookS like the Tarmac SL6

[Bonus79]

R088 lookS like the Tarmac SL6

Yes...among the latest generation of Tarmac, the R088 is probably most similar to the SL6, although even in this case there are various differences, see: fork, head tube/integred cable routing, thinner rear triangle tubes.

[rasch]

Unfortunately I missed the moment....currently on Aliexpress there are no coupons and discounts on shipping costs, so it is better to buy directly from Spcycle....even if the price is not so advantageous and (so they told me) there is no possibility of paying with Paypal in 3 installments.
While waiting to get all the components  and choose the paint (I am very undecided on the color), I hope that some other interesting offer pops up....otherwise I could re-evaluate the Seraph TT-X68, even if it is a 1:1 copy of the SL8 and I would prefer a frame that is more different in shape.

You should have choice day early next month. Also next month is the anniversary. Not sure it will be worth it though as prices are scalling up in china and lowering in the western brands

[momento]

for discounts it is ALI, they are put periodically.
Regarding free shipping..be careful because in this mode it is very easy to run into customs and pay up to 48% more taxes, it is always advisable to agree with the seller or choose default XBD shipping with prepaid taxes, this to have a final purchase price without surprises

[Bonus79]

You should have choice day early next month. Also next month is the anniversary. Not sure it will be worth it though as prices are scalling up in china and lowering in the western brands

Honestly, I don't seem to see a price reduction on Western frames (or at least not in my area)....except for finding some end-of-series offers, but in these cases you have to be lucky enough to find the desired frame, in the desired color and the correct size....rare and unique opportunities.
In my opinion, an Eastern frame with a (finished) cost of 600/800€ can still have its reason to be, since an equivalent Western frame can easily cost at least triple, or a little less.... just look at the prices that some OEM frames reach, rebranded and sold by Western manufacturers with their logo.

[Bonus79]

for discounts it is ALI, they are put periodically.
Regarding free shipping..be careful because in this mode it is very easy to run into customs and pay up to 48% more taxes, it is always advisable to agree with the seller or choose default XBD shipping with prepaid taxes, this to have a final purchase price without surprises

Obviously I am referring to seller's shipping method (so with shipping costs and taxes prepaid).
Last week, thanks to the discount of almost 140€, instead of spending 177€ on shipping, I would have spent about €37...not bad.
I will wait for new promotions.

[jonathanf2]

R088 lookS like the Tarmac SL6

I have an SL6 clone, the R088 is slimmer all-around.

[rasch]

Honestly, I don't seem to see a price reduction on Western frames (or at least not in my area)....except for finding some end-of-series offers, but in these cases you have to be lucky enough to find the desired frame, in the desired color and the correct size....rare and unique opportunities.
In my opinion, an Eastern frame with a (finished) cost of 600/800€ can still have its reason to be, since an equivalent Western frame can easily cost at least triple, or a little less.... just look at the prices that some OEM frames reach, rebranded and sold by Western manufacturers with their logo.

I understand and I'm not sure where you are but one can have a Merida 5000 team replica with shimano 105 di2 for less than 2.2K. There are MMR even cheaper. And if you go to mechanical 105 you can find deals of 1.6k. Sometimes u just need to take a look around all the local shops. Yes, you have to search. But I see these deals quite often. And if you want higher end discounts from rp can go as high as 3k and more.

All in all, There is place for all. One should get what they like the most. But that doesn't mean is the most rational ejej

[jonathanf2]

It's probably the perspective that is deceiving, but the fixing point of the seatstays of the SL8 seems further apart.
Thank you

I'm looking at my frame right now, seat stays look identical to the SL8. That photo makes it look larger than it is. That back end is narrow and those seat stays are skinny.

[Bonus79]

I understand and I'm not sure where you are but one can have a Merida 5000 team replica with shimano 105 di2 for less than 2.2K. There are MMR even cheaper. And if you go to mechanical 105 you can find deals of 1.6k. Sometimes u just need to take a look around all the local shops. Yes, you have to search. But I see these deals quite often. And if you want higher end discounts from rp can go as high as 3k and more.

All in all, There is place for all. One should get what they like the most. But that doesn't mean is the most rational ejej

Let's say it's all very subjective.
The Merida 5000 is a nice frame (even if I'm not crazy about the round seat post), but as a groupset I'd prefer Ultegra (even used), and I'd still have to spend money on new high-profile carbon wheels.
I've honestly never looked into prices.... here in the area (Ravenna, Italy) I don't know any Merida dealers, but I doubt you'll find it at the price you indicated.
Giant and Orbea also have interesting prices, but you have to like the models and colors offered, and in any case, if you want to stay at certain prices, you have to "settle" for "entry level" components.
I'm not in a hurry, so I could wait for some end-of-series offers, even if I think it'll be hard to find a frame I like at the same price as a no-brand frame or a little higher.
Last year the best deal I could find was on a 2023 Giant TCR PRO frameset (so without integrated cable routing) for €1200....well, if I found the same deal on the 2025 model maybe (since I don't like high seat stays) I might think about it....even better if I found a Tarmac SL8 PRO frameset for that price, which would be impossible! 

[Tilmanstoa5ty]

I received the pictures of my frame (at least that's what they told me) today. Size 54 UD glossy. Looking good so far.