I am having a small issue with the seatpost and the expander/wedge.

I just realized that crank arm length, cleat system, sole height, and certainly the saddle rail-to-top are the determining factors for the seatpost insertion depth.

I've cut my seatpost a bit shorter than my target saddle height because I miscalculated the insertion depth -- it's primarily because I used 165mm crank instead of my usual 170mm. It became an issue as the seatpost is slipping on every ride even with reasonable tightening on the expander. I haven't applied carbon paste though.

After I checked the seatpost, I noticed that the contact area of the expander to the seatpost is too small. The contacts are mostly on the edges. Each slippage, the expander digs into the seatpost leaving two parallel scratch lines along the seatpost.

The solution should be to increase the contact area. Will carbon paste a solution here?

Other experiences with seatpost so far:

On each slippage, the seatpost became stuck around the wheel cutout area. I had to pull the seat system with a reasonable force. I used a bar around eye-level height, cover it with some clothes, hook the saddle on to it -- after I loosen the expander, and then jerk the bike down. I hope that this force is still within the designed operating force window.

I also noticed that the seat tube doesn't have uniform thickness along its run. It became thinner a few cm in. This might be the cause of some knocking sound someone noticed before.

Arg!  I don't know if I can accept this! 
It's so far from red I am speechless! I've emailed Velobuild, but not hopeful for a happy resolution.

On to stuff you want to hear:
56cm frame with HB010 bars
Frame weight w/axle: 1160g
Fork w/axle: 466g
Handlebars: 322g
Seat post: 244g
Hardware pack: about 260g (I still had it in the box balled up with shipping tape)

Apparently I will receive the correct bars, and it will still be shipped Monday.

For reference, design was finalized and payment received by VB on June 24.
So, that’s 5 and a half weeks.

He says 2 to 3 weeks, but 4 to 6 weeks fell within my expectations. 
Dont know how long shipping will take.

Chris emailed me saying he could ship Monday, but with the 2-bolt bar and in 440/110
I kindly told him that I would like the original bar, in the requested size (420/110), and that it was OK if I had to wait - I am in no rush. 

Let’s see what the response is.

I’d rather wait for the correct order, than rush to have my wrists and shoulders jacked by the wrong sized bars.

If you want it to be perfect, and you can wait, definitely try to get the original version. The clamp of the two-bolt version is noticeably smaller compared to the spacers and the cap. While from the photos I can find, the original seems to be matching them really well. It doesn't affect the functionality in any way, but it does irritate my eyes.

It's plain matte finish. I didn't ask for any customizations. Note that it included the axle and 4 cage bolts which all are already installed when I opened the box.

I am 169cm with an inseam of approx 77cm, saddle height 66-67cm. The sizing tool from Specialized suggested me to go for the 52 but I decided to get the 49. My decision was primarily based on the effective-top-tube length. Fixing a stack that is too low should be easier than fixing a reach that is too far.

I haven't actually started my build, but I've already temporarily set them up to check things in the box and to get some idea of the finished build.

Reach-wise, with the 400/90 bar, I am pretty much satisfied with it. I am pretty sure that I won't need to stretch my upper body to access the hoods, and it doesn't feel too small. I'd get a bar with a longer stem if so.

The stack might be the one that is not ideal. It's simply aggressive* even with all of the provided spacers. If it's preferred to get more of an upright position, you might want to ask for extra spacers (it's probably ugly, but...).

I can't provide any real confirmations for now.

Hope that helps.

Edit: by aggressive I mean that there will be ≥5cm diff between top of the bar and top of saddle.

What kind of weights are your guys’ bikes coming in at? The 168 with mid level groupset is probably in the 18 lbs category right?