I've been riding the frame with the Tavelo Avro handlebars - which I do like - however, I'd like to reduce the reach maybe 10mm. I'm considering going separate bar/stem for this.

What are people using that can do cable routing through the headset, stem/handlebar and headset cover wise?
Ideally I'd like a handlebar with channels for the hydraulic lines rather than them going in at the shifters and out through a hole where the stem clamps.

I've seen some people recommend the balugoe handlebars, which while they don't have this channel for the hoses, have a hole before they meet the stem at the middle so the cables could be run under the stem. They look nice too with the flat tops.

In terms of the stem, I like the look of the FSA SMR but if there is a nicer chinertown approved option that people like to do for, I'm all ears. Main goal here is for the cables to discretely run under the stem and into the hole of the top cover.

I did buy the 55r headset from FSA when I assembled the bike, if that helps.

I am very happy with my bike, but it has developed a creak when pedalling.

I rode it for a week with no problems in the UK where I live and then took it to Tenerife for 6 days of riding. First day it was okay but on the second when I stood on the pedals it started making a creaking/click sound with each pedal stroke. I’m running Shimano 105 Di2 with a ZTTO T47i bottom bracket which I installed with the supplied tool with no grease or retaining compound on the threads. Crank spindle is greased and preloaded, as well as the pedals. I checked the chainring bolts and left crank arm bolts and those are torqued up.
Later at the hotel I managed to recreate the noise by pushing either side of the bike near the BB area with my hands. The noise usually only occurs once the opposite side has been pushed I.e. pushing twice doesn’t make noise twice, only when the frame is pushed from the other side again.

I carefully inspected the frame for cracks around the BB, chainstays, down tube, reinstalled the handlebars and both bottle cages and the noise persists. The frame looks pristine on the outside. I am running a transparent black glossy finish.

I continued riding it through the holiday and took it up some very steep climbs (eg tierra del trigo with 25% ramps) and nothing bad happened and no noise happens when not pedalling. I am a light rider at 57kg and not much power output, but the noise sometimes also happens when pedalling at 150W.

I will try and reassemble the bottom bracket but if someone has any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated.

Also, since I’m riding a small frame, the seat tube bottle cage bolts are too high, which makes it impossible to take a 750ml bottle. Are there any solutions to lower the bottle cage mounts?

Most handlebars come with a C-ring, so you'll have to buy one off AliX.
I got it to fit like this:
- I used a 36x45° 8mm high bearing on the bottom. The gap is about a mm. So maybe 7mm high might be better, but it's OK like it is now.
- I went looking in my spare parts (I thought I ordered 2 bearings, but it turned out I only ordered one) and found a 45x45° 7mm high bearing for the top. With the C-ring that was included with my Avian handlebar it was too low. I had some more C-rings lying around from previous builds and the plastic C-ring that I got for my Hygge bike was about 1mm higher than the other, and with this C-ring it fits like a glove with a minimal gap between top cover and frame.

I bought the FSA 55R headset which I hope comes with the C ring. To be honest I could’ve just bought the C ring in itself as the Tavelo bars come with the headset cover for the integrated cables. I just bought the whole headset in case the bearings are better or have a different inner angle or height. It’s all a bit new to me dealing with different headsets and forks!

Well, it looks like Hermes/Evri is being Hermes again and my frame is “delayed”. I really hope they haven’t lost it and I can get my hands on it soon.