I Bought The TanTan X68 So You Don't Have To

Tom Bowers Cycling

May 04, 2026

Description

I bought Tantan's X68, the infamous Tarmac SL8 clone, so you don't have to. What I found in the box made me question whether I should even be making this video.

This is a full build and review of the Tantan/Seraph X68 frame, paired with Kore Wind Rider 2.0 wheels and cranks, SRAM Force AXS 1x, and a few other budget bits to make my 'I don't care' crit bike. The frame itself? Genuinely impressive for the money. The company behind it? That's where things get complicated.

If you've been tempted to buy one of these frames, please watch this all the way through before you do.

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📺 Watch next:
Real Budget S-Works Build: https://youtu.be/_JbkbQ179JA
Kore Wheels Review: https://youtu.be/sAUd8lBW-VQ
My Attempt at crit racing: https://youtu.be/7vp9R80w63s

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0:00 The seatclamp problem
1:21 What it actually costs
4:25 Bare frame weight
5:46 How thin this thing actually is
7:47 Why I'm running 1x with a 54t
11:21 Where this crosses the line
12:58 The spectrum of risk
15:36 Final build weight reveal

#cycling #budgetcycling #chinesecarbon #tarmacsl8 #cycling #tantanx68 #fakebike

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Parts Mentioned

TanTan TT-X68

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Frame, Fork, Clamp, Seatpost

Frame

TanTan TT-X68

Created: October 10, 2025

2 other reviews for this part

The reviewer discusses the TanTan TT-X68 frame, a clone of the Specialized Tarmac SL8, which he purchased for crit racing. He notes the frame is lightweight, rides well, and has good geometry, but criticizes the brand for counterfeit practices, including a seat clamp with Tarmac branding. He does not recommend the frame due to ethical concerns.

AI-Summary