S-Works SL8 - Build Finished - 6.05Kg

[stevec1975]

It took 2 weeks to get the Axles (from pandapodium), no difference in ride as expected, just expensive bling to be honest!

[vrapo]

So they are back with fast shipping ... or production, whatever was slowing down delivery

I am thinking of getting them, but not really sure its worth it .. but again, bling is bling.

[PedaleurPat]

Did you wrap those cranks? Would be interested to do the same and wanted to ask for some info about that

[stevec1975]

No wrapping on the cranks, it's just sanding and polishing (Start at 200 then progressing through to 1200 to remove the fine lines + an automotive polishing I.e. Sonax Profiline or you just can use T-Cut) - Haven't touched the cranks since they day it was done and they are still a mirror finish.

[stevec1975]

A few more updates:

Got a Ryet saddle from Ali, the super light one (which, yes, I know, it's a Gelu clone), however, it appears super well made.
Tried it out on a 50 mile group ride, was comfortable (but not quite as comfy as the Berk Lupina) if it works out on more rides, then will get the Gelu version.





Comes out as 54.2g, this saves 46.7g over the Berk

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Also got the ZTTO SLR Gen 3 in Black 12 Speed 11-30, again, super well made, tidy machining, the proof of the pudding will be in the shifting, will report back. It can't be much worse than the phantom 5th cog shift issue with the early DA ones.




Comes out as 121.7g, this saves 96.6g over the DA 11:30 version (will continue to use the DA Lockring though)

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Lastly, a super small hack, I have these rubberised hole blanking plugs from another project, they are the perfect size for filling the unused bottle cage holes on the frame. They kinda screw in to the existing holes, but easily removed if needed.



They are so light that 2 of them don't register on my scales (that measure at 0.1g)


Bike weight is down to 6.05kg

[justinfoxphotos]

Sad to see a counterfeit product on an S-WORKS SL8, but good to know that it's not as comfortable as the Berk, and I can see some sort of logic in testing it out before committing to the real thing (which isn't cheap!).

PS: I have the gen 3 ZTTO cassette on my SL6 and the shifting is great! It's definitely a lot louder than the Ultegra cassette it replaced though so would be interested to know if you also have more drivetrain noise with your ZTTO cassette.

[SilverSteve]

Out of curiosity, did your Hylix seatpost have the anti-slip texture applied? It's a bit hard to tell from the photos.
I ordered the heavier version and it had the texture. Which looked kinda ugly. So I ended removing it and the paint.

Before


After sanding and Di2 modification

[stevec1975]

@SilverSteve.
Hey, no my post didn't have the texture applied (I went for the lighter version with the <95Kg weight limit), also, it looks like your cradle is Alu rather than Carbon, probably for strength reasons.

Mine ended up as 109.7g all in. I would very much recommend changing the top clamp to J&L Yokes or similar, especially if you have a Carbon railed saddle, as otherwise it can creak when hitting a pothole sitting down.

[stevec1975]

@justinfoxphotos: Yeah, a bit pragmatic on the use of the Ryet clone, I may just go to a Berk Lupina without padding in the end. I know they work.

Saying that, using counterfeit bits can have benefits, I bought the carbonworks bottle cages some time ago, one broke on my first ride (which Simon@CW replaced) and I sold on, I bought the Ali copies, which have been perfect for 3 years + now..

For the Gen 3 ZTTO Cassette, it is currently not shifting too well in the stand, the spacing seems out of sync in the lower range (11-14 teeth), which can't be adjusted out, it might be a new stiff waxed chain wasn't helping, but I need to do a road test to confirm. (Weather is too crap outside to validate at the mo)

[justinfoxphotos]

Saying that, using counterfeit bits can have benefits, I bought the carbonworks bottle cages some time ago, one broke on my first ride (which Simon@CW replaced) and I sold on, I bought the Ali copies, which have been perfect for 3 years + now..

I have noticed that the Carbonworks bottle cage holds a bottle WAY more tight than it needs to. Really love how easy it is to get a bottle in and out of the Specialized S-Works Carbon Rib Cage III.

PS: Good move on the plugs for the water bottle bolts. I had a packet of SRAM rubber plugs which I'd forgotten about and just screwed 2 of them in too (I'm also only using 1 cage). Thanks for the reminder!

[lock40Nm]

For the Gen 3 ZTTO Cassette, it is currently not shifting too well in the stand

I have GOLDIX SL CNC, shifting very well.

[wheelbuilder]

Great build but please don't encourage counterfeit stuff. Just don't post about it if you think it has benefits. Works for everyone.

[stevec1975]

Thought I would try out some 165mm length cranks for pedalling efficiency/aero gains...

Sram Red E1 Cranks.

308.8g


134.9g

173.8g

[stevec1975]

Great build but please don't encourage counterfeit stuff. Just don't post about it if you think it has benefits. Works for everyone.

I much prefer giving opinions based on experience, just don’t read about it if you think it has no benefits

[wheelbuilder]

Great build but please don't encourage counterfeit stuff. Just don't post about it if you think it has benefits. Works for everyone.

I much prefer giving opinions based on experience, just don’t read about it if you think it has no benefits

Interesting. By that logic, the title of your thread would have to read "counterfeit content" for me to pass over it. My suggestion seems much easier. Post your build but just omit discussing the single counterfeit component. You know.....works for everyone.