u/Background_Tour_961

Originally, I noticed small hairline scratches on the seat tube, and then my seatpost started making a creaking sound under load. Recently, I removed the seatpost and realized it was damaged and the carbon was broken. After that, I noticed that the carbon was also cracked inside the seat tube—now I’m cooked.

Giant took over the case and told me to wait until a new frame is delivered.

This frame only has around 2,800 km on it, two competitions, and one short bikepacking weekend. I definitely didn't expect it to fail this fast. I always use carbon paste, and correct torque.

Stock bike in size L, with accessories:

• Computer Mount
• Selle Italia X-LR
• 2x bottle cage
• Bottle cage multitool
• Giant Fork CO2 ballon + inflator
• Handlebar tubeless plugs
• Shimano SPD Pedals
• Tubeless setup 100ml each wheel
• Giant Contact SL OD2 Stem 90mm instead of stock 80mm
• Giant Contact SL handlebar 760mm instead of stock 740mm

Total bike weight: 13.38kg/29.5lbs.

My goal was to improve bike with minimum amount of money, so I bought everything with good sale for 40-50% of original price.

Now what was replaced:

1. Fork: ROCK SHOX SID SL Select Charger RL
2. Wheels: DT Swiss X1900 + 36 Ratched instead of stock 18
3. Tires: Maxxis Aspen 2.4 with Orange Endurance sealant
4. Breaks: SLX BL-M7100 / BR-M7100

Weight after that: 12.2kg/26.8lbs. While the weight saving is not that big on paper, but in real life bike feels much more responsive, and playful, not to mention cool sound of rear wheel, compared to muted stock 😎

I finished my second gravel race, the first 120km, the second 158km. Not a single breakdown, and no flat tires. All I did in terms of modifications was:

1. The handlebars were narrower, from 460 to 420
2. Stem from 80 to 100.
3. Saddle that is more suitable for me.
4. 45mm tires with a long chip position setup. Both races on Maxxis Rambler hypr-x 45mm, and now switched to Reaver 45mm with hypr-x compound as well, tubeless setup.
5. Giant 3mm bar tape.
6. For pure stylish reason I got limited edition grx pedals, that are the same as regular xt version.

For now I don’t think of any potential improvements. Wheels are good, mechanical GRX 2x fine is precise and reliable since it survive a lot of mud, rain and taught roads in the same day.

Most important and limited factor in my performance my body, not a bike.

squeaky noise when bike is slightly moving side or forward/backward. it completely gone when you hit the breaks. when my wheel is moving it doesn’t touch the breaks, it doesn’t scrub, and no metal sound. but when standing it create some vibrations, that you could feel with hand in frame, and it happens because of breaks, any idea what to do?