New Tantan Seraph X71 - Replica Factor Ostro VAM V2 (UDH)

[Rlyman]

Has anyone purchased a complete bike from tantan? How was shipping? Packaged well?

[Benbenben]

I received the frame. Not much to report in addition of what was already said here.

One question. Can you confirm that you all received an headset cover that does not physically connects with the c ring? Not that it's a major concern since I believe the pressure should be enough to make the c ring follow the movement of the bar. Just surprised that it does not have a notch since the c ring does.

Let me know if any questions on the frame I got. Size 58 cm painted. 1140gr.

[Joey]

I received the frame. Not much to report in addition of what was already said here.

One question. Can you confirm that you all received an headset cover that does not physically connects with the c ring? Not that it's a major concern since I believe the pressure should be enough to make the c ring follow the movement of the bar. Just surprised that it does not have a notch since the c ring does.

Let me know if any questions on the frame I got. Size 58 cm painted. 1140gr.

Re your question on headset+c ring: My c ring just sits directly ontop of the headset bearing. it does not "connect" in any way, it just sits there.

Questions for you:

• Have you been able to check down the seat tube of your frame? I'm reattaching a photo I made on pg 6 of this thread. My frame has the seat tube blocked off about 8 inches down.
• I'm surprised that your frame is basically the same weight as mine (even though mine is unpainted and its a size 56). Could you also share the weight of your fork and seatpost?
• It would be great to see the paint job you got

[-Tarantula-]

Heya!

I'll do picture time tomorrow

No issues with udh, replaced it with some I had, same old issue.
With some basic trigonometry I determined that i needed to displace hole 0.9mm further up.

Gravity will keep the wheel in place, although i have to fill the ovalized space for rigidity.

Everything is back in place straight et than ever. UDH hole was too low. Tolerance was over the moon. Hambini would've cried.

Thanks for ideas and suggestions.

Waiting for Seraph reply, holidays incoming.

Can you share pics of how you actually solved this issue? 

[Benbenben]

@joey, I won't be able to take weights of fork & seatpost. Bike is partially built. I will take a look for the seat tube.

I also received wrong size of HB. I am disputing at the moment via AliExpress because they have offered to return everything. Well I started the build & destroyed the box.

Can I ask how you reached a partial refund?

[Joey]

@joey, I won't be able to take weights of fork & seatpost. Bike is partially built. I will take a look for the seat tube.

I also received wrong size of HB. I am disputing at the moment via AliExpress because they have offered to return everything. Well I started the build & destroyed the box.

Can I ask how you reached a partial refund?

looking HYPE! I opened a dispute by messaging Aliexpress live customer support (first connected with the EVA chatbot, then requested an agent to chat with). I told them I got the wrong handlebars. The agent then opened up a dispute on my behalf (with photos I sent them) with a request for a full refund lol. Aliexpress then "solved" the dispute with a 20% partial refund ~120 USD.

It sounds like you already opened an order dispute, but I think you could still try contacting Aliexpress live customer support.

[rolypoly]

Has anyone actually ridden the thing yet?

How does it feel? Stiff etc?

[Benbenben]

I looked at the seat tube, nothing blocking the path on my frame.

Just updating on the dispute. Tantan keeps proposing to return the whole frameset even though I explained that I started the build already and don't have all the packaging & big box to return the frameset. There is no way I am going to buy a frameset box & foam to return everything. The fork tube is even cut to my size.

Heavily disappointed by TanTan on the communications through the whole transaction and now the way they handle the wrong size handlebar & dispute is just wrong. If not ghosting my messages, they were just being rude. They took pictures that I provided to convince aliex that I was actually trying to scam them even if I told them that I measured the handlebar when I was building the bike. They actually called me a scammer during the dispute.

I am trying to escalate that to AliExpress since the dispute ended up with final resolution of returning the whole frameset as well based on misunderstanding from Ali I think.

They also painted the bike glossy even if I asked for matte finish. They agreed and said ok to that. 6 days after the shipping of frame, they finally provided pictures of the frameset(I asked them when ordering to send pictures before shipping) & again proposed to cancel the whole order. After waiting 2 months for frame shipping, that did not seem acceptable since I had all the parts waiting for the build and wanted to ride the bike before season ends in Canada. I ended up threatening them to use this forum to complain and they offered ridiculous 25 usd refund(free thru axles), which I accepted since it was either that or order another frameset from other seller with even more delaying my bike build.

[Joey]

I looked at the seat tube, nothing blocking the path on my frame.

Just updating on the dispute. Tantan keeps proposing to return the whole frameset even though I explained that I started the build already and don't have all the packaging & big box to return the frameset. There is no way I am going to buy a frameset box & foam to return everything. The fork tube is even cut to my size.

Heavily disappointed by TanTan on the communications through the whole transaction and now the way they handle the wrong size handlebar & dispute is just wrong. If not ghosting my messages, they were just being rude. They took pictures that I provided to convince aliex that I was actually trying to scam them even if I told them that I measured the handlebar when I was building the bike. They actually called me a scammer during the dispute.

I am trying to escalate that to AliExpress since the dispute ended up with final resolution of returning the whole frameset as well based on misunderstanding from Ali I think.

They also painted the bike glossy even if I asked for matte finish. They agreed and said ok to that. 6 days after the shipping of frame, they finally provided pictures of the frameset(I asked them when ordering to send pictures before shipping) & again proposed to cancel the whole order. After waiting 2 months for frame shipping, that did not seem acceptable since I had all the parts waiting for the build and wanted to ride the bike before season ends in Canada. I ended up threatening them to use this forum to complain and they offered ridiculous 25 usd refund(free thru axles), which I accepted since it was either that or order another frameset from other seller with even more delaying my bike build.

Sorry to hear about your experience, but tbh it doesnt really surprise me. My experience in communicating with TanTan was like pulling teeth.

When you say nothing blocking the path, does that mean you can see the bottom bracket from the seattube? I am wondering if I should try to drill out that section of my frame. I really dont know how it exists on my bike. I thought it was EPS moulded 🙃

[Benbenben]

Yes, I can see the BB area looking from the seat tube.

[OlHag Cyclismo]

Pleased to say I finally received the frame I ordered way back at the beginning of August. I am still in the process of finishing the build, but it is complete enough for the trainer. I'll upload pics when its fully built.

Initial thoughts: Damn did it take absolutely forever to get. Good communication throughout the process, they told me they painted the wrong size and "hurried" to paint my size. That added a few extra weeks. Packaged well, nothing missing or damaged. The seatpost hole that others have mentioned is blocked off, and there is no access to the bottom bracket area via the seatpost tube. The brake mounts were horrendous and I did not even attempt to mount the calipers, so I had my LBS face the mounts. Not a fan of the way the stem looks or the stem cover, but they look alright from 10 feet away. The stem cover is fragile and I've already snapped one of the little plastic clips. No real issues with anything other than needing to face the brake mounts, and everything else went together like normal.

The Build: x71 Frame (54) - YS775 Gloss - 7.3kg - $3350ish USD
1x Shimano Ultegra R8100
38/120 bars from Seraph
CRW 50/55 Wheelset in 25mm GP5000 Tubeless
Buy a T47A BB.
Bought everything from Aliexpress, Ebay or Facebook, excluding the frameset.

[crazyravr]

Curious did you use a t47A BB or regular t47? if the latter, no shifting or install issues with the cranks?

[OlHag Cyclismo]

Curious did you use a t47A BB or regular t47? if the latter, no shifting or install issues with the cranks?

I used a t47i with some spacers, but a t47a is the right move for this frame. At some point I will get a t47a to swap out.

[Joey]

The seatpost hole that others have mentioned is blocked off, and there is no access to the bottom bracket area via the seatpost tube.

  Very surprised that your frame also has the seatpost hole blocked off.

I assumed my frame was an one-off repair that they didnt want to write off. Assuming the frame is EPS moulded, I couldnt find a reason for excess resin in that area.

But now that your frame also has a blockage - my working theory is perhaps the blockage is just how they joined the seatstays to the seattube. Would you be able to take a photo of what your seat tube blockage it looks like?

[OlHag Cyclismo]

Finished the build finally. No real complaints after a few rides, just the stem cover being a cheap POS. Garmin mount is sturdy, and I’m able to use a regular garmin radar mount.

Brake mounts needed facing right out of the box.