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Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
Seatpost Clamp Mods & Final Build Weight – X68 Update As I mentioned in earlier posts, I’ve been working on modding the seatpost to refine the setup and shave off some extra weight. Here’s the latest: For the front clamp, I sourced an M5 barrel nut sized 8.5mm x 13.5mm. It’s a bit smaller in diameter than the original (which was around 10mm, but in M6 size). Couldn’t find a 10mm M5 version anywhere, but this one works fine despite the slightly looser fit. The original nut was also longer and had an angled end for aesthetics — not critical functionally, but worth noting. Everything was cleaned and reassembled using: • Grease on all threads and contact points. • Carbon paste on the saddle rail clamping area. The front yoke came threaded, but since the clamp force is between the bolt head and barrel nut, those threads aren’t ideal. You’d normally want to either drill the yoke to clear the threads or use a bolt with an unthreaded section where it passes through. That said, I made it work for now without issue. Saddle setup: • Saddle leveled precisely. • Rear bolt torqued to 5–5.5 Nm with a touch of blue Loctite for added security. • Final seatpost weight: 128.4g after all mods. • 40g shaved off total with the seatpost + saddle changes. Took the X68 out again for a ride this evening — everything held up perfectly. Clamp still solid post-ride. This style of yoke clamp (similar to Darimo’s design clamp which is torqued to 4nm)and like the rest of the bolts on my bike (stem, top cap, seatpost clamp), I always double-check torque and occasionally use blue Loctite where needed. Crank bolts also holding firm, no movement or loosening. With these mods, the bike now sits at 6.45 kg. No further changes planned — happy with the setup as it is. I’ll be trying the 50/60 XMC wheels once they land. They were originally for the SL8 but I’ll run them on the X68 first. With them lighter cassette , the weight should drop to around 6.35 kg. Will report back after testing. All well had a ride out again all good no issues so far to report! June 04, 2025, 02:36:39 PM |
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Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
Finished my build. 52cm chameleon white with 400 x 90 mm handlebars $889 frameset $1,087 Ultegra Di2 R8150 groupset $338 XCADEY Ventus carbon crankset power meter $608 EliteWheels Edge 50mm deep $300 other parts === $3,222 Weight 7.16kg/15.8 lb with Shimano PD-ES600 pedals (279g), computer mount, no bottle cages. Notes: - I didn't get the plug that holds the front derailleur backing plate so when I undid the bolts, the backing plate fell into the frame. You need to leave one of the bolts attached, but loose enough so you can rotate the hanger out of the way. I also didn't get the seatpost cover. But I did get the 160mm only front brake adapter. - I stripped the rear saddle clamp nut trying to torque it to 6 Nm. I replaced it with an M5 barrel nut. September 25, 2025, 01:51:50 PM |
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Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
Ridden 100km so far with some efforts and sprints thrown in. I have some thoughts regarding overall riding dynamics, but I'll save them for another time. The braking performance and ergonomics of the new Sram E1 levers is outstanding. If I didn't hate the shifting dynamics of Sram AXS I could be convinced to fully convert over from Shimano Di2. -Brake caliper mounts/facing: CRAPPY. Probably the worst of any frame I've built. I did some sanding but it appears more is needed. Which is odd because the facing on TanTan GR201 was dang near perfect out of the box. Basically impossible to align the rear caliper without sanding. Also, I am literally using the same caliper bolts from Tarmac SL8. The rear caliper bolts are fine. But the front caliper bolts either are too long (which are a very standard length for all road frame forks) or TanTan simply didn't chase/tap the threads deep enough into the fork. I had to use two additional spacers to each bolt out of fear of cross threading. This isn't ideal. And now there some sound resonance and vibration under heavy braking. -Seatpost interface to the frame is slopppppy. Even with carbon paste I had to bump the torque from 6.2Nm to 8Nm. So far it's holding. October 06, 2025, 03:51:14 PM |
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Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
Drum roll ladies and gents...The eagerly awaited video of the X68 build is up https://youtu.be/WhVb730XtTk?si=oNdQMXci5oKyQyYV Thanks Patrick for such a good and conservative initial review. Since my frame will be slowly making its way across the sea soon, I was waiting for this vid to come up Two points to consider regarding the finishing details: First, I'm not waiting to see if I'll be lucky or not with the brake mounts or BB overspray. I'll be getting my sand block, diamond files, reamers and facing tool straight at it. This is done to 90% of any new build coming into the workshop, and I know in advance that this one won't be the worst case. I have many horror stories of reputable brands and their expensive frames being well off, even the ones who say do not face, its been done before and bla bla...However, facing is not the final solution of calliper mounting/ rubbing problems. Too many forces at play when brakes are applied, from bolt thread squareness , pistons and pads play, correct bleeding etc. Finally a good eye when mounting is essential Regarding the seatpost, if it works with a bit of carbon paste great, if not, I wont be confident tighten it to 10Nm. In that case I would be looking at some 3M tape or alike reinforcement, or even a thin layer of carbon to wrap up the sloppiness Once again, thanks Patrick! October 13, 2025, 04:28:15 AM |
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Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
Those spacers look borderline criminal November 05, 2025, 01:42:54 AM |
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Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
Spent some time test riding a newly built size 52 X68 today. I brought my genuine S-Works SL8 (also size 52) along and did a fair few bike swaps to see if I could feel the difference. Sadly I couldn't make an accurate comparison as the spec of both bikes are way different. I'm running SRAM Red E1 and he's running Wheeltop so the difference in hood/lever feel alone threw me off quite a lot (SRAM E1 levers just feel too good and being able to comfortably get all 4 fingers under the hoods makes a world of difference when sprinting out of the saddle IMHO). We also had issues with the front derailleur cage hitting the crank arm due to flex when sprinting out of the saddle (sadly I scratched up his front mech!), but he managed to sort that out by tuning the Wheeltop during our ride. Got to say, it's a fast bike. He did say multiple times that my bike felt like it rolled faster, but again, that could just be down to spec, specifically tyres as I'm running GP5000 TT TR's and he was running S TR's. That said he was running lighter ZEN Carbon Bike 50/50 deep wheels and I'm running CRW's 40/45's. Again, so much difference in spec, but no doubt about it, the X68 is a fast bike and it rides insanely good for the price, especially when you compare it to how much a genuine S-Works SL8 frameset costs. November 08, 2025, 05:36:22 PM |
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Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
Hello All, I have been lurking and "researching" for a frame as I updated a bike with 105 mechanical that only had about 350-500 miles on it and the wheels. The group set and wheels have been in boxes for 2 years and decided to buy a used frame, but came across this site and decided to buy a clone for the hell of it! I appreciate all the information from everyone to help each other out. I decide on a Seraph and purchased via PayPal on Sat Nov. 8th. For anyone interested, I will return the favors you have given me in the timeline, pictures of the frame, interior of the frame, etc... November 11, 2025, 02:46:00 AM |
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Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
I bought a frame at Seraph (Tan Tan).thanks Bugo. I'm in contact with Rose right now and will ask her what price they can offer for a groupset too 
November 11, 2025, 04:46:25 AM |
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Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
The quality and functionality of a frame is not so much its shape as the materials used and the workmanship, and there's a difference of day and night between the SL8 and the X68. If many consider (as I've read in this forum) these two frames remotely comparable, it's only because they use the bike for amateur purposes (like me).So it sounds like you are confirming what many in this forum have already determined, that for their use cases the X68 and SL8 are similar enough in ride feel and handling characteristics to negate the actual material and workmanship differences between the two frames (and at a fraction of the cost). Bravo to you my friend... 
July 01, 2026, 01:35:27 PM |
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Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
So I finally received the replacement frame. For context, a couple of pages back I posted about an issue where my bottom bracket thread became loose, and I was offered a replacement frame if I paid for paint and shipping. The frame looks to be ok. I think they cheaped out on the paint job, and it is honestly quite shitty compared to the original frame I had, but it's close enough, I guess. It seems that at least they faced the brake mounts and BB. I put the bike together and rode 100km on it today already. It felt maybe a bit stiffer than my previous frame, so they might have made some modifications since I got mine (February 2025). Nonetheless, I will not be buying anything else from Tantan. Even though I had quite good customer support and they were always helpful with everything, I just had too many problems with it. The frame itself is really a great ride for the money — it feels good to ride, it's comfy and really fast for my recreational riding. Wish all the rest of you guys more luck with yours down the line! 
July 04, 2026, 10:10:25 AM |
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