Spcycle New Mold SP-R088 Carbon Road Frame

[BigT]

Any photos ? :-)

Will take some when I am back, already tried to take photos  but it’s really difficult to capture those tiny details.

[DavidG]

Will take some when I am back, already tried to take photos  but it’s really difficult to capture those tiny details.

Sorry I meant photos of the frame not the tiny details. :-)

[MarMirZ990]

Does anybody have issues with the headset play?

I have the frame with integrated SPcycle handlebars.
There is enough clearance for the top cap to not touch the expander, the bearings are mounted in the correct direction, the expander is torqued to ~ 5.5 Nm, gaps between frame and fork/cone spacer look good, spacers are „squeezed“ together nicely, …

However, there is still some play in the headset and I have already torqued down the bolt more than I would like/I am used to.

[jonathanf2]

Does anybody have issues with the headset play?

I have the frame with integrated SPcycle handlebars.
There is enough clearance for the top cap to not touch the expander, the bearings are mounted in the correct direction, the expander is torqued to ~ 5.5 Nm, gaps between frame and fork/cone spacer look good, spacers are „squeezed“ together nicely, …

However, there is still some play in the headset and I have already torqued down the bolt more than I would like/I am used to.

Have you tried adding the thin metal shims to lock it down tightly? I think that's why some of us R088 owners prefer the non-integrated bar route to avoid headset play.

[MarMirZ990]

Have you tried adding the thin metal shims to lock it down tightly? I think that's why some of us R088 owners prefer the non-integrated bar route to avoid headset play.

Like a spacer between the compression ring and headset cover / cone? I think this will not solve the problem, I can still fit a piece of paper easily between frame and cover. So there are definitely a couple of microns left between both parts before touching. But the spacers can also be turned by hand, which indicates insufficient clamping I guess.

[thorbens]

Like a spacer between the compression ring and headset cover / cone? I think this will not solve the problem, I can still fit a piece of paper easily between frame and cover. So there are definitely a couple of microns left between both parts before touching. But the spacers can also be turned by hand, which indicates insufficient clamping I guess.

Are you able to put the stem all the way down on the spacers? I once had a china carbon stem that a small ridge at the top preventing it from being pushed on the steerer tube all the way down while having the exact amount of spacers to not notice it for months

[jonathanf2]

I had a free Monday to ride, so I took the R088 out for an afternoon 50km ride and 600m of climbing. I think in every aspect this bike is just dialed-in perfectly. The only issue I had today was some high winds, so I did feel it on the hills even with semi-shallow 45mm depth wheels. If there was one nitpick, I can't attack downhill switchback corners as aggressively. It could have something to do with the SL8 style geometry and not the bike. My more upright bike frames seem better suited for that style of aggressive cornering. In overall nimbleness, acceleration and stability it's pretty good. Even at 70km plus descents, the bike just wants to go faster! Adequate braking becomes the more important factor! 

[Bonus79]

I had a free Monday to ride, so I took the R088 out for an afternoon 50km ride and 600m of climbing. I think in every aspect this bike is just dialed-in perfectly. The only issue I had today was some high winds, so I did feel it on the hills even with semi-shallow 45mm depth wheels. If there was one nitpick, I can't attack downhill switchback corners as aggressively. It could have something to do with the SL8 style geometry and not the bike. My more upright bike frames seem better suited for that style of aggressive cornering. In overall nimbleness, acceleration and stability it's pretty good. Even at 70km plus descents, the bike just wants to go faster! Adequate braking becomes the more important factor! 

I could be wrong, but I see that the main triangle is practically "filled" with a bag and water bottles, and in my opinion this affects the sensitivity to the wind....they practically create a "sail effect".

[jonathanf2]

I could be wrong, but I see that the main triangle is practically "filled" with a bag and water bottles, and in my opinion this affects the sensitivity to the wind....they practically create a "sail effect".

I also have a handlebar bag, but I don't like putting it on for frontal wind reasons! 

[MarMirZ990]

Does anybody have issues with the headset play?

I have the frame with integrated SPcycle handlebars.
There is enough clearance for the top cap to not touch the expander, the bearings are mounted in the correct direction, the expander is torqued to ~ 5.5 Nm, gaps between frame and fork/cone spacer look good, spacers are „squeezed“ together nicely, …

However, there is still some play in the headset and I have already torqued down the bolt more than I would like/I am used to.

Just to follow up on this…the top cap DID touch the expander I switched to a flat top cap instead of the conical and the play could be adjusted properly. My first road bike…

I attached some photos of my build.

[SkylarRnD]

What was your main reasoning behind buying the SP-R088 vs the X68? I'm curious to know opinions outside of price difference.

[jonathanf2]

What was your main reasoning behind buying the SP-R088 vs the X68? I'm curious to know opinions outside of price difference.

Standard 52mm headset bearings, option to go separate bar and stem (or any integrated bar you prefer), UDH, mechanical cable routing option and slightly less weight than the X68. The X68 is for those who specifically want an SL8 clone. 

Though last I checked, getting the Seraph/TanTan X70 (same frame as the R088) is a bit cheaper on AliExpress compared to SPCycle's store front. I'm surprised no one is going for the X70 option. Buying on AliEx is bit more streamlined and at least you have the ability to dispute the order if anything goes wrong.

[Sand101]

What was your main reasoning behind buying the SP-R088 vs the X68? I'm curious to know opinions outside of price difference.

Liked the head tube shape better than the butt sniffer on the 68.  And really didn't want a bike design copy. 

[SkylarRnD]

Standard 52mm headset bearings, option to go separate bar and stem (or any integrated bar you prefer), UDH, mechanical cable routing option and slightly less weight than the X68. The X68 is for those who specifically want an SL8 clone. 

Though last I checked, getting the Seraph/TanTan X70 (same frame as the R088) is a bit cheaper on AliExpress compared to SPCycle's store front. I'm surprised no one is going for the X70 option. Buying on AliEx is bit more streamlined and at least you have the ability to dispute the order if anything goes wrong.

I just looked that up and the shipping is $200. Maybe that's a reason? Not sure.
Do they each make the frame in different factories? Im new here so trying to learn and lot.

[jonathanf2]

I just looked that up and the shipping is $200. Maybe that's a reason? Not sure.
Do they each make the frame in different factories? Im new here so trying to learn and lot.

It was cheaper awhile back. The rumor is that SPCycle and Seraph/TanTan are somehow connected. Someone on here did contacted SPCycle and they accused Seraph/TanTan of copying the R088, denying any connection. My buddy in China thinks neither company makes their own frames and are just vendor fronts. He thinks a bigger OEM factory handles orders for both companies. Mainly because molds (per frame size) are outrageously expensive and both these brands would have to fulfill large orders to break even. Neither brand has barely if any name recognition within China. Their main business model is for exports. So it's all speculation.