SaKiwi

LBS's do make mistakes, like all of you guys ready to kill the "wheelbuilder" The lesson is to take the complete bike, if possible, so the guys can check everything before they make you pay for it. It is obviously the dish that was out, and it's easy to see when you put the wheel back. Just my 2c

If your son is tall, buy 29'er, if not (1.6lm), then buy 26. For around 8-10K you could buy 26" with XT/SLX (Silverback Spectra 2) and for 10K you could buy 29" Merida Big Nine 500 with XT/Deore. Just 2 examples, you have to shop around, but try and buy SLX and up

True, but Giant will replace the frame without issues, normally within a week.

Happy to have helped Sybrandt! Thanks for the kind words, always appreciated. Jaco Ceres Cycles

If you only want to work on your bike, buy bike specific tools (sizes) I would go to my LBS and ask them to give you a list of types and sizes. They can also order the tools not available from normal shops.

paraffin works well!

Buy the bike with the best parts (group set), and the frame that fits you better.

Pump to max pressure, then put in bath filled with water. Best way to detect a leak. Almost certain it's at the valve. If you wiggle the valve, you should hear air blowing out?

Total cost? Would love to do this one.

You have two options here, as most tectro brakes have this problem: Change the rotors, and Have them put Shimano deore resin pads in. Tectro brakes are normally metal pads, specially entry level bikes. Should solve the issue.

Snake skin with Slime Pro, nothing better IMO

What is your weight? Crest has a weight limit.

The most expensive shifters will not work properly if the gears havn't been set, the way they should be. Your LBS will take 5 minutes to do it for you. The frame will move a few mm's when you tighten the scewer, that's normal. Just get your gears set-up.

Merida and Silverback is getting their 2013 duals 29'er very soon, have a look at those. Hardtail aluminium is not the right bike for what you say you want to do.

Stupid question, where are you guys watching this?

Had the same problem, had to install a service kit for the piston. Very expensive though, ended up swopping to Shimano brakes.

Take it back to your LBS, and get them to fix it free of charge, with a klap behind the mech's head.

Titan is also a great option, 5 year warrenty on the frame, and nice looking.