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Messages - Munzer

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1
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« on: June 11, 2026, 07:08:38 PM »
Quote from: FLXer88 on June 11, 2026, 06:40:37 PM
About to pull the trigger one of these X68 frames and had some questions..

-Is it worth shopping around on AliExpress for an upgraded handle bar, such as ones that are compatible with SL8's? Just how flexy are these stock bars? Has anyone tried a different integrated cockpit with success? Worth it to shop outside of AliExpress?

-Recommend upgrading steerer plug or are folks having good luck with the one supplied?

-Out of precaution, any tools or methods to help clear excess carbon out of the seat tube for Di2 battery?

-Should I just book a time at my LBS to have the brake mounts faced or can it reasonably be done yourself with a file and some elbow grease?

Feel free to recommend any other parts or supplies for the build.

How optimistic is it to expect it's arrival to the states by end of July if ordered tomorrow? (6/12)

I use an EXS Aerover bar and have not used the stock bar that came with the frame.  Although not having used it, it does not seem very flexy.

I purchased an oem specialized steerer plug. It was fairly inexpensive and also very similar to the one that came with the frame.

I did not have my LBS face the brake mounts, I did it my self.  If you choose to do it yourself, just go slow and not take off too much material too quickly.

I would say it likely wouldn’t arrive by the end of July.  The first one I ordered took about seven weeks from the date of order, the second one took almost 11 weeks. 

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Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« on: June 09, 2026, 06:11:25 PM »
Quote from: crazyravr on June 04, 2026, 01:05:03 PM
If you guys are referring to my post "DO NOT RECOMMEND" its nothing about the quality. Its about the straight up lies about delivery and timelines to get the customer in the door.
No way anyone should wait for a bike frame for 3 months, especially thats its nothing special and the "counterfit factories" can make one and delivery under a month.

I’ve bought two x68s, first one showed up in what I would say was fairly acceptable amount of time. That was just for the standard white no decals version. I ordered a second one that was the Patrick Lino special. It was the sky blue color with the silver Seraph graphics. That one took about a month longer (just over three months) and they forgot to put the graphics on but packed the graphics/decals in the box and I had to put them on doing water transfer and then clearcoat afterward. It’s definitely hit and miss or maybe easier to say buyer beware as the issues have been documented in multiple locations on this forum. But overall, I would rate my experience through two purchases as overall positive.

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Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« on: June 09, 2026, 02:53:05 PM »
I used this one from Performance Bike:

https://www.performancebike.com/specialized-road-disc-thru-axle-derailleur-hanger-2018-tarmac-venge-s182600003/p749961

I haven’t had any issues.  It looks like the same one shown in the AliExpress link

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Sales & Classifieds / Re: Miscellaneous Bike Parts For Sale
« on: February 19, 2026, 09:24:56 PM »
Both the Bontrager Aeolus Elite 35 and Shimano Ultegra wheelsets are sold. 

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Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« on: December 08, 2025, 06:13:29 PM »
Quote from: cramy on December 08, 2025, 11:51:52 AM
This is what idid, I downloaded the sl8 user book and followed everything step by step.
For the brakes I downloaded the Shimano user guide and did the same.

Never built bike before and managed to assemble 2 of them without any issues following the different user guide

I will echo this.  When I built my x68, I also downloaded the SL8 assembly information and the Shimano torque specs. No issues to speak of. 

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Sales & Classifieds / Re: Miscellaneous Bike Parts For Sale
« on: December 03, 2025, 12:57:58 PM »
Ultegra Wheels and tires

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Sales & Classifieds / Re: Miscellaneous Bike Parts For Sale
« on: December 03, 2025, 12:56:54 PM »
Dura Ace Crankset

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Sales & Classifieds / Re: Miscellaneous Bike Parts For Sale
« on: December 03, 2025, 12:56:42 PM »
Bontrager Aeolus Wheels and Rotors

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Sales & Classifieds / Re: Miscellaneous Bike Parts For Sale
« on: December 03, 2025, 12:56:30 PM »
Pedals and Bottle Cages

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Sales & Classifieds / Miscellaneous Bike Parts For Sale
« on: December 03, 2025, 12:56:19 PM »
After purchasing the TanTan X68, I finally pulled trigger and bought some XM Carbon Speed wheels to go with it.  I haven't received them yet, but I decided to put my existing wheels up for sale along with some other random parts I no longer need.

Here's a list of what is for sale:

Shimano 105 pedals - used but plenty of rides left in them.  They weigh 257 grams for the pair, $50
Look Keo2Max pedals - used but plenty of rides left in them.  They weigh 258 grams for the pair, $50
Bontrager RXL bottle cages - used but in decent condition, they weigh 43 grams for the pair, $40
Dura Ace Crankset, FC9000, 170 mm crank length, 52-36 and 53-39 chainrings. Weighs 630 grams with the 52-36 rings, $350
GP5000 tires, never been ridden, size 32, $75 for the pair
GP5000 tires, never been ridden, size 28, $75 for the pair
Bontrager Aeolus Elite 35 TLR Disc Wheetset, there were take offs from an Emonda SL6 Pro and never used.  The front wheel is missing the large Bontrager decal on the other side.  I have a new set of decals on order and wheels will ship with the new decal package. Front wheel is 766 grams, rear wheel is 992 grams, 19.5mm internal width and 27.5mm external width, 35mm depth.  $500 for the pair. SOLD
Shimano Ultegra WH-R8170 C50 wheel set.  These are the wheels being replaced by the Carbon Speed wheels.  Very light use, 21mm internal width, 28mm external, 50mm depth, front weighs 698 grams, rear weighs 872 grams.  $600 for the pair.  SOLD
Shimano RT-MT800 Disc Rotors, 160mm and 140mm, take-offs from the Aeolus wheels, never used.  $50

These will only ship to the 50 States, no international shipping.  All prices are PayPal only, Friends and Family preferred, but Goods and Services is also welcome.  Prices stated above include shipping.  If you think I'm off on the pricing, you can make me an offer.

I am new to Chinertown (posted my TanTan X68 in this thread - Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes).  I have sold on eBay - username swamppass, on Pinkbike - username MunnsMacky, and on both Bladeforums and BushcraftUSA - username Munzer.  Feel free to review my feedback those sites is you have concerns with me being a newer member here.

If you have questions or comments or would like pictures of something specific, please send me a private message.

I will add pictures in separate posts.

11
Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« on: November 01, 2025, 03:46:58 PM »
Finally finished the X68 build.

Here's a rundown of the parts:

My specs: 5'-7" tall, 29.5" inseam (170.2 cm tall, 74.9 cm inseam)

Frame: X68 size 52
Handlebars: EXS Aerover 40x90
Wheelset: Shimano Ultegra WH-R8170 C50
Groupset: Shimano Ultegra 12 speed
Crankset: Shimano Ultegra 52/36, 170mm
Chain: Shimano Ultegra 12 speed
Saddle: Specialized Romin
Pedals: Look Keo 2 Carbon
Handlebar tape: PRO Race Comfort
Tires: Continental Gatorskin 28mm
Tubes: Tubolito TPU

Overall weight is 7.8 kg or 17lb 5oz - a little heavier than I expected.

Had a couple issues with the build.  As stated in an earlier post, the opening in the supplied handlebar did not fit the fork steerer tube.  I opted to use the EXS Aerover that I had ordered a while ago and never used.  Installing the Di2 wire to the rear derailleur took a little effort, there was/is some sort of obstruction in the chainstay and it took a little time with the Park Tool internal routing kit to squirrel the wire around the obstruction.  The other real pain in the A$$ was the front derailleur mount.  It must have not been manufactured correctly or the mounting location on the seat tube was not aligned properly.  When I mounted the front derailleur and tightened it to the correct torque, the cage was angled outward or away from the chainring/frame.  Once I bent the derailleur hanger back (toward the rear wheel), the front derailleur installed perfectly and the small set screw was able to be used to align with the chainring.  Shifts great now. I did have to bend it three times total to get it correct, I didn't want to bend it too much, so small bends until correct.

Other than that, the bult was fairly straight forward.  Bottom bracket threaded all the way in by hand, then torqued to specs.  Brake mounts were not faced, but not a big deal to me.  A little brake rub, but not a deal breaker.

This is the 7th bike build for me, and was a little more challenging than the others (2013 Cervelo R3, 2015 Specialized Tarmac SL5, 2017 Giant TCR Advanced Pro, 2020 Scott Addict RC, 2021 BMC Teammachine, 2022 Trek Emonda SLR).



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Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« on: September 08, 2025, 08:34:20 PM »
Quote from: Dr J on September 08, 2025, 04:51:38 AM
Damn that sucks. But you wille be able to install the Bars. Just use sandpaper on the inside of the bar to grind a little bit off. You will get it to fit.

I contacted EXS and was able to order the SL8 spacer kit for the Aerover bars. I originally had those bars on a Trek Emonda that I got rid of, but I kept the bars.

The bars that came with the X68 are just gonna be a wall hanger until I figure out what I wanna do with them.

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Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Seraph Bikes Superlight 836g X68 - Alternative to SL8 Fakes?
« on: September 04, 2025, 07:22:11 PM »
For those looking to order an X68, here is my journey so far.

As I posted in another thread, I ordered the X68 from TanTan on June 26th and the frame was delivered on August 19th.   Roughly 7 weeks from order to delivery. It was delivered via UPS, as of yet, no additional cost for customs or tariffs.  $719 for the frame kit and $160 for shipping.

The quality control (or lack thereof) for my frame/fork is questionable at best. There is a scratch on the right fork leg and small area on the seat tube just under the seatpost hole that didn’t get thorough paint coverage.

In the grand scheme of things, these are minor.  The major annoyance is that the handlebar/stem does not fit around the steerer tube. From what I can tell, the diameter of the stem opening is undersized.  I have an EXS Aerover handlebar/stem that does fit the steerer tube. The fork is the heavier fork, I think it weighed in at 406 grams.

Also, the clearance in the drive side chainstay for the Di2 cable (installing 12 speed Ultegra groupset) to the rear derailleur is very tight and took some effort to get the cable through. I haven’t tried running the brake hose through the non-drive side chainstay yet, so fingers crossed.

None of these are dealbreakers, but buyer beware.


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Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components / Re: Trade wars and Frame Delivery
« on: August 20, 2025, 08:02:14 PM »
Long time listener, first time caller. 


I can only speak from my experience, but I ordered the X68 from TanTan on June 26th and the frame was delivered yesterday on August 19th.   Roughly 7 weeks from order to delivery. It was delivered via UPS, as of yet, no additional cost.  $719 for the frame kit and $160 for shipping.

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