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Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
I feel like this isn't getting enough attention. I feel as if I've beaten this discussion to death in my head. To the point it comes across like some sort of moral soapbox. Basically I've summarized my thought process across a few recent videos, particularly in my latest Tavelo Arow video. One thing I would like to mention is I've realized how important brand cache is around here where I live. And the perceived trust/quality associated with big brands. We can argue all day on the internet as to why OEM wheels/frames present a fantastic value. But you should see the look on the faces of local riders when I recommend any other Chinese brand except Winspace, FarSports, and No.6 Let's be honest too: If I'm a pro team who is approached by Tavelo / No.6 Wheels / Yoeleo / Winspace with an offer I can't refuse...it's an easy decision. Brand awareness cost money. Yet I would not be surprised if OEM brands started artificially inflating their prices if more and more consumers jumped on the bandwagon. Yishun/LC immediately did this when I uploaded my review of the R086-D frame. Double edged sword. May 13, 2025, 11:12:29 AM |
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Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
Ok the bloody thing has finally arrived! A few photos sorry there not more organised but did not have much time this evening. Comments it looks exactly the same. Head tube is not taller before anyone asks its the way I’m holding the phone. Roval bar I need to look at it’s not 100% no groove for head cap to sit onto for a nice flat transition and no textured surface on top. The tops look wider where the stem meets but have to get the calipers on it. Waiting for some new scales But frame was 798g no hardware Forks uncut 399g But will check with better quality scales when they arrive First impression well I could have saved £5000k!! May 14, 2025, 12:55:54 PM |
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Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
The fate of my X68 dealings lies solely on you now haha  great not pressure then!Ok well let’s start with the bars I’ll double-check when I get the new scales but weight is around 229g on the Micky Mouse scales Size is 380mm wide, 110mm stem my genuine are 400x110mm The Rovals are grey with a light finish — you can see some carbon some UD carbon through the surface. The X68 bars are finished in black. I used to be in the building trade and have a keen eye for small details and to me, they just don’t have the same sharpness in finish but obviously they came with the frame so it’s expected as they are not £575gbp! The top cap area has a slight dip in the middle as seen in one photo I may attempt to flatten this out if really necessary. And the bar edges aren’t perfectly straight you can make it out if you have a good look but if you are glancing at the bars you would never notice it’s barely notable The cable entry and exit hole is well ok the piss! With the QC sticker on it lol but good thing it’s underneath. And the top cap areas has not been machined to allow a more seamless fit with the top cap as with the original. My original bars I purchased on release and have the textured surface and the X68 do not but glepore pointed out that the current bars do not have this which is correct. The profiles are subtly different too but this is only noticeable side buy side When you look down on the top of the bars. Also, the X68 profile feels marginally thicker — there is not a lot in it on the verniers maybe 1mm but again unless you have the real McCoy next to them you would never know. The Roval front profile appears slimmer and I would say is blade like where as the X68 appears slightly more rounded. I flipped the bars upside down and gave them a squeeze and they feel stiff but I will obviously test this better when I get to ride them. And the spacers are not a tight fit at the base of the stem there is the collar part from the steers tube to the underside of the stem where the stem is obviously not the same depth and there are gaps either side. I have ordered a genius kit to see if it’s a tighter fit. May 14, 2025, 06:43:53 PM |
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Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
Initial Impressions – Frame Side by Side Side-by-side, the frame looks identical to the genuine article. Finish is generally okay, though I did notice a few minor ripples in the surface. BB and thru-axle threads had a bit of overspray — nothing major or that would cause issues. Seatpost slid in without any problems. One small hiccup: when I reinserted the rear thru-axle, the washer was stuck on the frame. For a moment, I thought it was bonded in. Looks like they fitted it shortly after painting, so it had stuck slightly. A quick flick with a knife sorted it. The gloss UD finish looks great in my opinion, and I think it’ll look even better once it’s built up. Like others, I checked inside the head tube, BB shell, and seat tube. Everything looks tidy — obviously that doesn’t guarantee anything structurally, but it’s clean and well-finished inside. Fork came in at 399g uncut, and the frame is 788g (no hardware). I’ve got some Kern scales arriving soon, so I’ll post a more accurate weight when I get them. For reference, my genuine frame weighs 701g. May 14, 2025, 07:06:25 PM |
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Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
More photos. Let me know if you want any more Photos. Have everything to build it up so will start next week as I am busy. But will post build photos. BB has not been faced like the real SL8 it has been sprayed up to the edge of the BB shell. The genuine one is machined and you can see the surface carbon around the BB Brake mounts look ok so far. I will try and fit the BB as is and hopefully it’s ok. May 14, 2025, 07:15:04 PM |
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Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
I did a race this Saturday, and there were many fast descents over 70km/h, with heavy braking at the bottom to a sharp left. There was also a gravel section with rough terrain and a descent there where I was going over 50km/h. The frame and fork survived, and everything is ok. I'm 191cm and I weigh 101-2kg with all the gels on me, it was closer to 102kg i'd say I hope that this was a good stress test for my frame. I was like, if it goes, at least it is at the place where the ambulance is relatively close by (joke not joke ). Also, to put the hat on my stupidity, I rode that with my cracked seat post, which held up fine too This is how the bike looked after
May 19, 2025, 01:01:46 PM |
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Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
First race on the bike today. https://www.strava.com/activities/14588664291/overview went very well, the bike did great! Cant really say a bad word about it. May 25, 2025, 12:40:49 PM |
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Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
Low key, SCRAPH sounds cooler than SERAPH. Like some early 2000's punk band. May 27, 2025, 09:18:18 AM |
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Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
You’re right to be cautious — and you’re not the only one asking. Here’s a full summary based on everything so far, so you don’t need to dig through 100+ pages: ⸻ 🚨 Fork Issues – Yes, There’s Cause for Concern • There has been one confirmed fork failure, with photographic evidence Page 54. • Another user (Dovh, I believe page 97 there is a video link) reported a potential issue, though his fork didn’t fail. • I personally bought the frame after the first report — so I was fully aware of the risk when I made my decision. ⸻ 🔧 Inconsistent Forks Being Supplied • Buyers are receiving forks with different weights — at least two versions seem to be circulating. • Some forks are coming in around 330–350g uncut. • My genuine SL8 fork weighed 375g uncut, and my X68 fork was 399g — possibly a reinforced version. This variation strongly suggests different molds, construction methods, or layups are being used across batches. ⸻ 🛠️ TanTan’s Acknowledgment • TanTan has acknowledged to some buyers that they are now supplying a reinforced fork. • That said, they haven’t officially admitted there’s any issue with the earlier forks — which isn’t surprising. ⸻ 🛒 Buying Advice • You can’t buy the frame from Aliexpress • You can still order via TanTan’s website or by contacting them through WhatsApp. • If you do: • Mention that you’ve read about the fork issues • Request the reinforced version • And pay via PayPal Goods & Services or credit card for buyer protection ⸻ Should You Buy It? Ultimately, that’s a decision you have to make for yourself. The level of risk someone is willing to accept varies. A fork failure is serious, no question. But considering how popular this frame has been since October 2024, and how many are likely out there, the number of publicly reported failures seems very low. That said, no frame is truly risk-free — branded or not. Yes, we expect major brands to have tighter QC and more consistent testing — and often they do — but failures still happen. You just don’t hear about them as often because they’re handled quietly. I suspect they happen more than we realise. Personally, I inspect all my bikes and components regularly, whether they’re branded or open-mold. Carbon is carbon — and everything from forks to bars to wheels is safety-critical. ⸻ Bigger Picture: The Industry It’s worth noting that there have been calls for more regulation and transparency across the bike industry. Every carbon part on a bike — not just forks — is safety-critical. Testing like ISO 4210 exists, but there’s no universal enforcement or third-party certification standard that’s consistently applied across all manufacturers, especially in the open-mold space. Until that changes, it’s up to us as riders to stay informed, ask the right questions, and inspect our gear regularly — no matter what logo is on it. July 19, 2025, 07:07:29 AM |
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