5nm for me also. Don't carbon paste the interface between the clamp and post, just between clamp and frame.

Thank you! Did you negotiate with them to get those prices or were they just the prices you were quoted? I assume ordering direct via email is the best option vs some secret AliX store?

I went direct and spoke to Wing at Carbonda. I don't think I did negotiate, but maybe I did. I recall the shipping was an issue as all freight at that time was really expensive. Nothing to say you couldn't try to negotiate though, as things are different now.

My one piece of advice would be to be VERY specific with any paint or logo requests. Pull together a document with colours, logo placement areas, any fonts etc. Things can easily get lost in translation.

I wouldn't say it would be more nervous, maybe more direct. Have you compared geometry between similar bikes on Geometry Geeks? Maybe see how the 707 compares to bikes like the Revolt, Silex, Checkpoint and Diverge.

The question you are asking is whether moving your seat forward will offset the additional front end height you'll getting from having a longer fork.

When you get the bike you will set it up with your normal bike fit. This will give you your usual saddle height and reach to your bars.

Moving the saddle forward in this case changes your fundamental position, moving you closer to the bars which impacts your balance and handling.

If you think about it a higher front in this case is a bit like going uphill on a normal bike. Your position doesn't change, it just tilts back.

You may need to move your saddle forward and down a small amount, and also tilt the nose down, but any changes at the back will need to be replicated at the front to maintain your fit (lower bars, more reach, bars tilted down).

I suspect any changes at the back will be small compared to the changes at the front. Bear in mind though that these cheers may need to be compromises if you intend to ride a lot over rough terrain with the suspension working as this will constantly change your position as you ride. However getting your saddle height and set back dialed in on the flat would be the best place to start and then you can tweak from there.

TLDR: Set the same height/setback as normal to start and see how you get on. You'll probably make more changes to the front than to the rear.

I am 175cm and ride a M Giant TCR with a 100mm stem  and a M Carbonda 1056 also with a 100mm (but could go longer). I found the M 707 was the right size for me with a 90mm stem to keep the steering sharp. 

A few points to make. I own an a 707 external frameset.

1. I ran full cable housing through my 707 frame to the rear mech. I did originally try just the cable but the shifting performance was poor.

2. I think the supplied bearings from Carbonda are an 8mm thick and a 7mm thick bearing. If memory serves I replaced the 7mm with another 8mm so I could get enough compression at the front to stop the knocking of the fork however even then I had to tighten the stem top cap bolt beyond what I would ordinarily on other bikes I own. This is also true of my CFR1056 frameset also from Carbonda.

So far no issues with either shifting or headset.

Hope that helps some of you.

I've had fits and starts in terms of comms with Carbonda but generally they are very good and the attention to detail is good also. In my experience having orded several frames direct they are at least in the top 3 suppliers, if not the top 2. My main criticism with them would be about paint quality (actually more about pantone accuracy) but that's very minor and mostly my own fault for having expectations of receiving a Trek Project One style paint job for $80 

Actually, my main gripe with them is that they only have very limited models available. I own a CFR1056 and a 707 and would have had an Aero frame off them if they had one that looked decent (definitely NOT a fan of the 515).

Really bad news, what device was used to inspect the damage?

The Mk1 Eyeball of a very experienced carbon repairer 

I showed the issue to a guy in the UK who has been making and repairing custom carbon products for over 30 years. He's confident it's a crack. Regardless, his view was that on a bike that is effectively new this damage should not be present.