SL8 Replica Build

[acino]

I am curious to understand more about this EPS vs bladder thing. I understand the former is the state of the art technology now. I understand it provides a better and more uniform compression which likely gives stiffer frame and less material required. Is the performance difference really evident in real life? Or is it only some weight saving at the end of the day? Are there western brands that still use bladders? If not how recently did the transition happen in the industry?

[Serge_K]

I am curious to understand more about this EPS vs bladder thing. I understand the former is the state of the art technology now. I understand it provides a better and more uniform compression which likely gives stiffer frame and less material required. Is the performance difference really evident in real life? Or is it only some weight saving at the end of the day? Are there western brands that still use bladders? If not how recently did the transition happen in the industry?

It's not as clear cut as say that it provides a x% benefit in stiffness, for eg.
But it's all of the above. In fact, EPS monocoque is better than EPS w 2 triangles bonded together.
In 2024, buying a chinese frame that's bladder moulded means you're buying an old frame, a frame several steps below velobuild, or a frame from a clown, basically. Will it ride well? it could, we've been riding bladder moulded frames for years. Is it a red flag in 2024? Yes.
I'm sure you can still find brands using bladders (rules have exceptions), but we're talking chinese frames without the benefit of the western logo on it and the peace of mind of LBS support. And on this thread especially, we're talking fakes at leading edge weights, and the average westerner is many, many kilos heavier than the average chinese; structural integrity does matter.
If it's EPS, the chances that your frame is clown made shit is lower. As far as i'm concerned, it's a probability game, and the weights (in the equation) vary over time.

[Avalius]

I have two of these frames, raced with them and send one back under warranty received something else instead. Still discussing with Yoho bike the warranty on the last frame. They are ghosting me.

Managed to crack out the bottom bracket from sprinting after a corner.
Borat quality frames.

I have ridden alot of these replica frames last years. These SL frames are something else. Most people have to use washers between the spacers since they couldn't even copy it decently.

[waltini]

I have two of these frames, raced with them and send one back under warranty received something else instead. Still discussing with Yoho bike the warranty on the last frame. They are ghosting me.

Managed to crack out the bottom bracket from sprinting after a corner.
Borat quality frames.

I have ridden alot of these replica frames last years. These SL frames are something else. Most people have to use washers between the spacers since they couldn't even copy it decently.

Alright well I have well and certainly taken this frame off the list. Thanks for the update mate!

[BeR]

I have two of these frames, raced with them and send one back under warranty received something else instead. Still discussing with Yoho bike the warranty on the last frame. They are ghosting me.

Managed to crack out the bottom bracket from sprinting after a corner.
Borat quality frames.

I have ridden alot of these replica frames last years. These SL frames are something else. Most people have to use washers between the spacers since they couldn't even copy it decently.

Have you ever ridden a genuine SL and how is compared to your fake one ?
Did you pay by Paypal for the warranty ?

[jonathanf2]

So basically this frame is good enough for the coffee ride to show off, but not for actual race use? 

[Serge_K]

So basically this frame is good enough for the coffee ride to show off, but not for actual race use? 

let's think a minute about worst case scenarios here. some cringe poser joins your group ride with an slfake. That day, it's tempo day, you're going 45kmh in a peloton, he takes a pothole, his frame self destructs, and he causes a crash for himself and others. to be honest, I would finish him off with my own fists.
we havent had reports of frames self destructing for years on this forum, those are horror stories of velobuild frames from many years ago. Now that weight is all the rage again, i really dont want to ride in pelotons with people on super light & unsafe frames. My open mould is a tank.
That is a problem.

[jonathanf2]

let's think a minute about worst case scenarios here. some cringe poser joins your group ride with an slfake. That day, it's tempo day, you're going 45kmh in a peloton, he takes a pothole, his frame self destructs, and he causes a crash for himself and others. to be honest, I would finish him off with my own fists.

Isn't that what most brandname/mainstream cyclists think about our Chinese no-name framesets? 

[hagerd]

Yea but fake SL8's come with the potential for a beat down from Serge. A serious consequence that everyone should consider.

[MTB-Addicted]

let's think a minute about worst case scenarios here. some cringe poser joins your group ride with an slfake. That day, it's tempo day, you're going 45kmh in a peloton, he takes a pothole, his frame self destructs, and he causes a crash for himself and others. to be honest, I would finish him off with my own fists.
we havent had reports of frames self destructing for years on this forum, those are horror stories of velobuild frames from many years ago. Now that weight is all the rage again, i really dont want to ride in pelotons with people on super light & unsafe frames. My open mould is a tank.
That is a problem.

Same risk if you ride in a normal amateur peloton made of bikes of 4-5 years, maybe entry level, with no-manteinance etc.
Or do you ask to the cyclists you follow/cycle with if their bike is “safe” ?
I get your intention and I partially agree but, at the end, I think that anyone can buy the bike they want, fake SL8 included

[Sander2177]

Very nice! Who's the seller exactly? I made a list in the sellers section of the forum of sellers of fakes and so far I black listed all of them.
I'm considering doing a similar build assuming I can get the bike without logo and I'd then put on a vinyl ass-works logo on it because I'm an 8 year old troll at heart, like I did with my tractor.
Did you get additional photos of the inside of the frame?
The frame weight is impressive, how much did you pay for the frame exactly?
Is there any area, especially the down tube, where you can flex the frame with your hand? Apparently the down tube of the new ostro vam flexes like that (and same on at least one frame of the LC 17D).

Ass-works... Or maybe sex-works? There are two sides on a bike after all. Or only-fans. The Factor font was easy enough to hack, the specialized one should be similar if not easier.

Airwolf do SL8 replica as well as the dogma F and the gen 7&8 Madone just up on there website and I'm suprised it has not been shut down!
 I have emailed them about the madone and the are also an OEM for smaller less well known brands, so how they get away with it is beyond me,

https://airwolfcarbonbike.com/product/2024-new-painting-light-weight-brand-sw-carbon-road-bicycle-frame-t1100-carbon-disc-brake-sl-bike-frame-bsa-bottom-bracket-with-handlebar/

I have an SL8 but this is so tempting but Im to sensible and well the though of descending on one does not appeal to me!

[JonMS]

Airwolf do SL8 replica as well as the dogma F and the gen 7&8 Madone just up on there website and I'm suprised it has not been shut down!
 I have emailed them about the madone and the are also an OEM for smaller less well known brands, so how they get away with it is beyond me,

https://airwolfcarbonbike.com/product/2024-new-painting-light-weight-brand-sw-carbon-road-bicycle-frame-t1100-carbon-disc-brake-sl-bike-frame-bsa-bottom-bracket-with-handlebar/

I have an SL8 but this is so tempting but Im to sensible and well the though of descending on one does not appeal to me!

Beware airwolf. I have been waiting almost 4 months for a gravel frame from them. I only just got pictures a couple weeks ago and they have gone radio silence since.

[Avalius]

Well like I've said earlier in this thread. I've tested this frame to bought at yohobike with his various ali stores.
Sprinted out the bottom bracket, position on headset bearing tore out. They claim they have warranty, well they are ignoring me.
Avoid at all costs, stick to chinese brands instead of counterfeit.

[numberzero]

So this thread started with a very satisfied customer and ended with an horror story.

Where is the truth with these frames, are there different sellers who sells different products or are all the sl8 replicas total garbage frames?

[Serge_K]

So this thread started with a very satisfied customer and ended with an horror story.

Where is the truth with these frames, are there different sellers who sells different products or are all the sl8 replicas total garbage frames?

As far as i can tell, all bad. https://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,5263.0.html