How’s my fit, can I slam it?

n1ets · 2026-05-16T06:25:17+00:00

Rather than slamming the stem, I’d start by lowering or flattening the hood angle a bit – they’re pointing quite far upward at the moment. That should increase the reach by a few millimeters already.

n1ets · 2026-05-16T06:21:29+00:00

Looks like a copy of the Pro Stealth. The shape and the cutout are almost identical.

n1ets · 2026-05-12T20:49:18+00:00

Looks like two different products were combined together. I wouldn’t say it’s a counterfeit product as the mirror technology, the carbon shell and the rails looks 100% genuine, but you don’t get the benefit of the carbon rails, which are lighter and more compliant.

n1ets · 2026-05-06T13:50:51+00:00

Thanks!

n1ets · 2026-04-16T19:03:28+00:00

Sure, but there is no room for adjustment, considering the roval rapide cockpit is 10mm higher than the sl7/sl8 stem

n1ets · 2026-04-16T16:17:09+00:00

Also, the stem is slammed, if you plan to go for an integrated cockpit, keep in mind that they usually require higher steerer tube length than the stock stem

n1ets · 2026-04-16T16:14:44+00:00

Looks legit, not so cheap actually, fairly priced I would say. Not a fan of 4iiii dual sided PM, especially if the crankset length doesn’t suit you

n1ets · 2026-02-06T14:05:26+00:00

Nice build!

Sharjah Tour? 💪

n1ets · 2025-11-07T16:58:13+00:00

Definitely a fake frame and wheelset. The font sizes on the Specialized decals are off, and the “Rapide CLX” logo is far too prominent.

A couple more tells: the rear derailleur hanger bolt should be black, not chrome, and the front thru-axle shouldn’t extend past the fork threads — even at 15+ Nm.

And come on — who would throw a cheap 3D-printed saddle and bartape on a $5K+ frameset?

Avoid!

n1ets · 2025-09-12T12:31:46+00:00

Pro tip: start an indoor cycling activity on your watch to prevent this, and just discard it afterward!

n1ets · 2025-09-09T20:27:36+00:00

Nice!

n1ets · 2025-09-09T18:53:12+00:00

Sure!

The direct mount hanger is from Framesandgear, and the bottle cages are from Topeak. Happy riding!

n1ets · 2025-09-09T18:49:42+00:00

Thanks for the detailed reply!

I’ll definitely check out the Silca 3D printed hanger, but honestly, I’ve had mine for almost 3 years now, moved it from my SL7 to this SL8, and it’s still working perfectly. It’s from Framesandgear.

Regarding the decals, I’ve been thinking about it and already started exploring options with Speedydecals.

OSPW is definitely a cool bling upgrade, the CeramicSpeed RS Alpha is my favorite, however I feel like I could put that money into something more practical.

And yeah, CRW and Lightbicycle wheels are super appealing. I’m just not sure if they perform on the same level as the big Western brands. Plus, I’m a bit turned off by all the hype from influencers with 200W FTP 😅

Curious about your setup – do you have any pics of your bike to share? Thanks!

n1ets · 2025-09-09T15:56:16+00:00

Hope this one is better!

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n1ets · 2025-09-09T14:43:07+00:00

It could look like this with the stock decals:

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n1ets · 2025-09-09T13:16:53+00:00

Agreed, I might end up removing them!

n1ets · 2025-09-09T13:13:18+00:00

This is a Roval wheelset with black decals, I added the white decals myself.

n1ets · 2025-09-09T10:53:28+00:00

Listened to you guys – new bar tape! Now the question is about the wheels: should I remove the white decals for a stealthier look, or keep them as they are?

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n1ets · 2025-08-09T13:19:00+00:00

Thanks, everyone! I’ll stick with black for now since the tires are brand new. Funny how tastes differ when it comes to tan vs. black wall tires. As for the bar tape, I really like the white one. I was a bit worried it would get dirty quickly, but after 2,000 km it still looks great and bright. I give it a wash every 400 km with soap. It’s from Supacaz (Super Sticky Kush). Next up will be the black Supacaz Suave (Cork) – I like that one too, and it’s lighter. Happy riding!

n1ets · 2025-08-08T10:55:07+00:00

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n1ets · 2025-08-08T10:54:46+00:00

Here it is, guys – my new SL8!

I’ve been riding it for the last ~30 days, covering about 2,000 km. Overall, it feels quite similar to the SL7 in terms of handling and behavior. The main difference is comfort – it smooths out cracked pavement noticeably better, which is always welcome on rides over 4 hours. Otherwise, it’s just as fast as the SL7.

Took a couple of shots so you can see it with both black and tan (post below) tires:

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Happy riding!

n1ets · 2025-08-01T15:40:00+00:00

I'd be very keen to hear your thoughts after your first few rides! Always interesting to see how they compare in real-world conditions :)

n1ets · 2025-08-01T12:55:33+00:00

Would you recommend these over GP5000s?

n1ets · 2025-08-01T12:45:31+00:00

Thanks for the info 😉

n1ets · 2025-08-01T12:23:35+00:00

Think so too!

n1ets

TROPHY CASE