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Re: Rear wheel that's reasonably quiet -- my new (knockoff?) DT240 wheel is loud I was looking at the same thing (quite hub not fake hubs) and some posts on mtbr suggested that going higher teeth count is quieter than ratchet with less teeth. Article on Scribe cycling also suggests same and explains why. On single track world I have read opposing views. Those ratchets are cheap, if yours is not 54t already may be try that.

On my ICAN hubs I went with thicker grease and that really shut them up. DTS recommends using their own grease but there are some useful comments using synthetic oil mixed with normal grease to a great effect.
March 18, 2024, 12:43:00 PM 		1
Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes? Got this on order, coming sometime this fall...

https://www.instagram.com/p/DLRwWUuOIwc/
August 14, 2025, 08:49:04 AM 		1
Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes? She has been built.

Ive taken her for a few rides now and have some perspective. The build was a breeze. Everything routed internally crazy smooth, the BSA threads were a dream and the thru axles are the same. I took a file to the brake mounts and tried to remove the overspray as neatly as possible. The brakes mounted very flat. I had to source the front mount brake adapter from a local shop(they actually removed it from an Aethos they had so I could get my build done quickly). Ill go through a parts list and then give impressions.

My specs: 188cm tall, 91.4cm inseam,and I weigh 74-76kg

Frame: X68(duh) in a size 56
Handlebars: Ullicyc T4 Ultimate 36/120
Wheel: 9Velo CD Wide 50/58(ceramic bearings and Ti freehub)
Groupset: SRAM Force E1 w/PM. 10/36 cass and 48/35 chainrings. 160mm Paceline rotor front. 140 CLX-R rotor rear
Chain: SRAM 12spd Flat top. Purple. Waxed.
Saddle: Ryet 3D Romin copy...picture has Selle Italia SLR
Pedals: Onirii Ti extended SPD-SL(maybe switching to Ultegra 4mm extended)
Der Hander: Silca 3d Ti
Tires: Pirelli Pzero Race TLR RS 30mm setup tubeless with Silca 2.0 and RideNow valves(just slashed my tire open on my last ride...8mm cut in my brand new tire. Sealant everywhere....yay)

First impressions: the bike feels super compliant. It sprints quickly and gets up to speed faster than I can. Turning is a dream and sharp as a tack. I am in love with the internal cable routing and it looks so stupid clean.

Going downhill is another story. Its sloppy at high speeds. I recently went on a fast group ride and above 38mph it was a bit sketchy. Going dead straight downhill wasnt bad but cornering as speeds felt unstable. I am not the best descender or corner taker. I'd love some insight if anyone else feels this way or if I set it up poorly for descending, obviously a longer wheelbase would be more stable. I did put my saddle back a few mm today to test the weight balance, Ill report back.

I did go 52mph down a rippin hill and passed some real fast bois tho, so that was fun.
September 02, 2025, 11:38:42 AM 		1
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 		1
Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes? X68 Still Going Strong
Ordered May 2025
February 08, 2026, 06:53:38 PM 		1
Re: Interesting Aliexpress finds! - good deals, interesting stuff, new products etc!
Quote from: Tpower59 on March 09, 2026, 11:51:54 AM
Off topic to last post but really disappointed in YKYW Elastic interface bibs
Used them outside for 50 km
Really painful
Darevie 30€ bib is more confortable by far

Ive been blown away by the quality of the Darevie bib shorts (slightly more expensive version with the lines on the straps).
I now have 4 pairs and would happily choose them over any of the expensive bibs I have for long rides.
March 10, 2026, 05:32:17 AM 		1
Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
Quote from: jbrew44 on March 23, 2026, 06:36:56 AM
Will the light weight thru axles for the SL8 fit the X68 frame? Trying to find out what size the thru axles are. I have the frame on order.
yes, same size as gen sl8
March 23, 2026, 07:47:37 AM 		1
Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
Quote from: glepore on March 23, 2026, 07:47:37 AM
yes, same size as gen sl8


I concur. SL8 thru axles will for this bike I have overfast thru axles installed
March 23, 2026, 07:52:39 AM 		1
Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes? Hey everyone, first time post here.
I have built a X68 frame in August 2025, and I have been riding it since then. To help on anyone looking to buy the current version and next version of the X68. I thought it would be good to share my experience with it. It also help me document my own work for the next build. (Excuse my english, it is not my first language).

To give you a bit of context: this is my 5th frame build. I previously built four other bikes (Elves twice, and an older/shady Eisenbike twice where I had to deal with aero stay / bb issues).

I’ve been riding the X68 mostly in good weather for about 5,000 km, mainly doing heavy climbing/descending in the mountains, I live in the French Alps, a classic weekend ride average 1800-2000m of elevation. (Important note for you to understand my POV)

Here is the full breakdown from ordering to riding.

1. Pre-Purchase, Communication & Custom Paint

Buying process: Contacted Seraph directly via email with Rose. Super responsive.
Custom Painting: Worked with Summer Support on a custom design and logo. Feedback was swift (1-day turnaround for mockups).
Payment: Paid directly via standard PayPal, smooth transaction.
Lead time: Around 3 months total (standard timeframe when requesting custom paint).
Shipping & Unpacking: 10 to 15 days for delivery once shipped. Well packed, no damage on the frame or fork.

2. Build & Mechanical Assembly

Overall, the build process was very clean and straightforward.
Internal Routing & Finishing: I was pleasantly surprised. The inside of the tubes was remarkably clean, almost looked like it had been sanded down internally—very rare at this price point. Routing through the frame, fork, and handlebar went without a hitch.

Hardware & Tolerances:

All missing/damaged parts? None. Everything was supplied.

Classic issue: Brake caliper mounting bolts were a bit too small for the back caliper. And bolts are not rust proof, I suggested to change them from day 0 when mounting the bike. I like to keep my bike clean and even with the blower, some rust started to appear on some few bolts. I replaced them with some titanium bolts.

🔧 Two Critical Tweaks to Watch Out For:
Front Brake Mount Alignment: Due to the custom paint layer, the front brake caliper mount on the fork wasn’t completely flat. I had to use a facing tool (80e from aliexpress) to sand/level the two holes properly. Front alignment was off because of it. (Rear mount was perfectly fine).

Top Cap / Compression Plug: The stock cockpit compression plug cap is a replica of the Specialized Tarmac SL8 cap, but made of cheap/soft material. It bends easily even when torqued well below 10 Nm. Fix: Replaced it with a genuine Specialized top cap (got it for 5e from my local bike shop). Much stiffer, provides proper compression, and keeps the headset play-free.

3. Ride Quality & Performance

The Good:
Paintjob: Insane paintjob, I was surprise by the colors. For the extra US$150, completely worth it. (My motto: If I can't be fast on the bike, I can be at least beautiful 🤣)
Value for money: Exact paid price on August 2025 US$589.00 for the frame kit, it rides surprisingly well. (PS: Got some Tagoola AR Super light wheels, it does add comfort in the ride)
Reliability: No issues with the BB, seatpost slipping, rear brake, or handlebars after 5,000 km.
Flat / Moderate Terrain: On flats and gradients under 8–9%, the bike feels great, responsive enough, and very comfortable.

The Compromises (Rigidity & Mountain Descents):
As expected for a lightweight frame at this price tier, lateral and longitudinal stiffness are limited—particularly in the fork.
Sprinting / Out-of-the-saddle climbing: Under heavy power (putting watts down standing up already around mini 700-800w), there is noticeable flex in the front fork, causing slight disc rotor rub.

High-Speed Mountain Descents: This is the main drawback if you ride in the mountains:

Speeds up to 60–70 km/h on moderate slopes are completely fine.

However, on steep descents with hard braking at high cruising speeds, the front fork lacks longitudinal stiffness and exhibits fore-aft micro-chatter / vibration.

Note: This is a recurring trait, I encountered on light/budget frames (had the exact same issue on my former Eisenbike builds). If you mostly ride flat/rolling terrain, you will likely never experience this.

Summary Verdict
Pros: Great customer service (with Rose), clean internal finishing, custom paint process is top-notch for a cheap frame, of course pretty cheap.

Cons: Soft stock top cap (swap it immediately), replace all bolts provided, front brake facing required if custom paint, front fork lacks stiffness for aggressive mountain descending.

Hope it helps ! Don't forget to Do Your Own Research
Here are some shots of the bike.
August 09, 2026, 03:53:08 AM 		1