I have/had an '03 TCR composite that I noticed had a small separation below the downtube bottle cage. The seem of the carbon had separated slightly enough to cause that part of the bike to feel squishy.

But heck, I can't complain. I dropped off my bike to my LBS and I just found out that I'll be getting a brand new '05 TCR Comp 1 frame/fork/headset! It's a bummer that it cracked, but I now know that all the good things I've heard about Giant's warranty service is true!
.nathan.

Just curious, does Giant cover the cost to rebuild up the bike with your existing components or is that at your cost?

Rebuilding is at the expense of your local bike shop. Since I took it into my LBS and am not dealing with Giant directly, it's really their call. From what can tell, the LBS calls up Giant and says they have a busted frame. Giant then sends them a replacement frame and sends back the busted one. So the transfer from one frame to the other probably has to happen at your LBS.
.nathan.

Is this a common problem with TCR Comps?

Is this a common problem with TCR Comps?

I have had 3 TCR composites, and never had this problem. The cracking that is. Although I did have an alu Giant that developed a significant creak in the frame. They took it back, and gave me a new one, really no questions asked. Their warranty kicks butt as far as I can tell, and from what I've heard from my LBS that deals a lot of Giants.

I haven't heard of this problem, but I have heard of other people having cracks (along the headtube).

Of course, you only hear about the people that have a problem and never from the people who don't have a problem. So, your milage may vary.

Regardless of that fact, Giant will warranty any composite frame for life, so does it really matter? Especially since you'll more than likely be getting a newer frame than the one that was broken :-)