Crest 34 Fork noise? 2021 Giant Fathom 29 2

I have had this bike about a week and I'm not sure what to think. I love the way it feels in the saddle, but I'm surprised by these issues. This is my first bike over the $500 mark. I wasn't sure what to expect, but was hoping for more out of $1300 bike. I will update what happens with it here in the description.
Update: I was still within the 14 day return period, so D and D Bicycles in East Lansing MI let me exchange it for a different bike. (They only had green in my size, but it's a great looking bike too) Mark and Patrick have been very helpful. This bike seemed to have cables that were just a tiny bit longer. I consider the length satisfactory.
The Fork - so far it seems way more quiet, but it still makes a slight clicking noise. I plan on just riding it and ignoring the noise. Unless something breaks, I won't be going back to a giant store.
Update: Giant sent this possible fix to the bike shop I'm working with.
"We have located the cause of the click. Another retailer sent the image below. The small disc was floating around inside the lockout cap when it should have been installed between the adjustment knob and lockout cap.
Please remove the lockout cap to take a look. If the plastic piece is not there then a thin piece of packing foam can be used to quiet the click. This will be placed between the knob and lockout cap"

[@kurtmaxwell3203]

I took it to another Giant retailer today to get their opinion too. They weren't a ton of help, but they did say it seemed a little weird for a brand new fork to be making that noise. As far as I know you can't get service parts for it yet either. I hope that changes soon. The shop I bought it from is just gonna let me bring it back and exchange it for another bike. They checked the fork on that one, and it has no clicking noise. Unfortunately they only have a trekking green one, but I am just happy to have a new bike during the pandemic.

[@baconbritches5815]

I have the same problem, but after riding it some of the noise is gone altogether. I believe it just needs to be broken in. In any case it didn’t cause any issues. Hope this was of help.

[@hondar6777]

My bike did the same. 50 plus miles and the noise stopped. But another issue arrived. The firm adjustment does nothing. It’s the same firmness no mater what position I have it in and I want it more firm😩

[@David-jd9xz]

I bought a stance with this fork November 2020. Had a knock develop in about a couple of weeks. Took it to the giant store in Vaughan Ontario where it was purchased. They had it for a month and replaced the fork with a new one. Been fine since then.

[@user-to8ex8mf9d]

Привет, было тоже самое ноги не держали воздух неделю и пришлось отдать велик в магазин!

[@link2542]

I'm sorry to hear that... I bought green one with suntour fork, and I recently heard the problem with crest. Cheer up!

[@leejohnh22]

To anyone have a similar problem, make sure to check the headsets first. 90% of the time, one of the headsets are loose. Easy fix, just need to verify by taking off the stem and fork, and putting it back together.

[@kurtmaxwell3203]

I just tried that, and it did not work.

[@rayanvatanpour5747]

no dingus that doesn’t work

[@leejohnh22]

Adding here that you’d want to check the upper and lower headset bearings are on snug with zero play and greased up before putting the fork and stem back on

[@viejondonchuy]

My bike had the same problem, so I took it back to the shop....after 2 months, they replaced the for with a Rockshok Judy. My bike has been problem free since.

[@helsonly722]

isnt the judy a lower tier fork compared to the crest ?

[@viejondonchuy]

Maybe so,but for what I use the bike for....it seems ok 👍

[@rfudala8388]

I had this same dork and it never developed those issues. I liked it a lot , but after smashing in to a tree It has been replaced for rockshock recon. Bike feel still this same. I can’t notice any difference in terms of performance, but I have a feeling like crest has been easier to set up precisely for your needs.

[@alreyvillabrille3754]

So blessed to have the raidon❤️

[@kurtmaxwell3203]

How do the raidon forks compare to other 34mm trail forks?

[@saiーツ]

@@kurtmaxwell3203 it’s definitely a lower end fork but it’ll get the job done for newer riders.

[@hnavalta]

I have fathom 2 2021, I’ve put 20 miles on it. And crashed it twice on my first DH(mtb newbie). Mine doesn’t have the same issue, just the dropper having a little of side to side movement. I hope you get your issue resolved

[@AKVcodm]

It's totally normal in every dropper post. So no worries 👍👍👍👍

[@vetracer5046]

I have the 27.5 version and it made a quieter tapping noise that has now turned into a knocking noise. Fork works fine and I like it,just have to get it warranted out and I would rather not have a suntor fork. Have you had any issues with the cassette and chain? When I’m in the two largest gears it just wants to jump off. So I have that issue going on as well.

[@kurtmaxwell3203]

I have not had that issue, but I haven't been able to ride very much yet.

[@davidbarrett8451]

I have the same bike, but no noise from the fork. None.

[@Rad_MTB_Rage]

My front axle wasn't tightened down ...now the noise went away after I tightened it , also my head clamp wasn't tightened down . I loosened the three bolts tightened it nice and tight everything is nice and quiet now ... Hope yours was a simple fix like mine... The bike rips down the hills pretty good and climbs awesome !!!

[@ryanbuendia8750]

Did you resolve it? I have the fathom 1 no issues on the fork works great on the trail.

[@kurtmaxwell3203]

I got a warranty replacement. I'm very happy with that, so I would guess you won't have any problems. With it. I think there was a bad batch of forks.

[@CanadaRealPros]

​ @Kurt Maxwell Hey Kurt.... I just bought the exam same bike which makes the same noise. Any updates on what the fix is? Cheers ~ Keith

[@kurtmaxwell3203]

Sorry, wish I could say yes. The bike shop said it seemed a little weird, but didn't seem too concerned. I then drove 2 hours back to the bike shop I initially bought from and they let me exchange it for a different one. In the warmth of the store I could only hear a small noise, but now that it's cold, it's just as loud as the first bike. Hope to hear back from a giant rep soon.

[@baconbritches5815]

I believe it just needs broken in. I had the same problem but I just rode rough trails on a soft setting and over time it went away.

[@danbarbosa6544]

I finally got my fathom 2 about a month ago after a 2 month wait. I read and watched reviews for 2 months. Mine also made the clicking noise after the 1st few rides. As stated by another rider I also just kept riding rough trails and the noise did go away after a couple of weeks.

[@im_an_introvert0138]

mine has that annoying noise too but not that much.. its kinda frustrating I bought the bike in singapore and I live in the Philippines. so sad

[@kurtmaxwell3203]

If there were other bikes available during this pandemic, I would have probably just returned it and gotten a direct to consumer bike. Considering the mtb supply I guess I'll just have to settle for a bike with a fork that makes funny noises. Seems to perform great though.

[@sickmak90]

Mine makes a slight clicking sound while going over the trail but it’s silent if I try to force it to make noise or I hit bigger bumps.

[@kurtmaxwell3203]

That clicking or tapping noise seems to be a common issue with the Crest 34 forks www.mtbr.com/threads/giant-crest-34-fork-recall.1156089/

[@sickmak90]

@@kurtmaxwell3203 yea I’ve been following that and some Facebook groups. I’ve heard some guys are getting suntour replacement forks.

[@islandmatt843]

Mine too

[@em8452]

That bike is definitely worth the upgrade to a better fork. Even though still entry level, the RS 35 performs very well with the Fathom. Replace the grey decals though. They suck.

[@SMathai]

I've had my Giant Fathom 1 2021 for three weeks and have put in some 30 miles so far. No clicking in the fork and no chain drop - but that might be because the Fathom 1 has the SRAM system. I did read about people having chain drops on the Fathom 2 with the Deore. There is a small click in the dropper seat post, a tiny rotational movement (1/8 inch or less) of the saddle which I don't register in any way while riding.

[@silver_c1oud]

Lol. Sram Lower end sucks. Deore is better than SX

[@hollisbabybeats]

I think most of the Giant dropper seat posts have this play in them.

[@rochakpaudyal]

Hey Kurt! I think I saw your review on Giant website as well. Where you said you drove 2 hrs. Anyways, I was thinking of getting 29ers green, but sounds like I need to wait until company does something about it. Thanks for putting this video.

[@kurtmaxwell3203]

Yeah, I was probably a little too harsh on the review I put on the website. This is just my first real bike shop bike. My last bike was from bikes direct. I had great results with that bike. Expected better results from a bike shop. Still hasn't been fixed by Giant. Been waiting over a month now.

[@hondar6777]

I’m waiting as well. Giant still trying to come up with a solution. Others say a cartridge replacement solved the issue but I’m waiting to hear that from giant.

[@greiner7414]

Oh man, I just saw this video and bought the same bike at D&D in Waterford, MI today. I didn't take the bike home because the weather was bad and they are setting up the tubeless tires. I'll have to check it out when I pick it up in a couple days. Thanks for posting this.

[@kurtmaxwell3203]

My replacement bike does the exact same thing

[@latebloomershorts]

Yo! How has the bike been. I live 15 min from Waterford and I reserved this hike a couple days ago! How has it been since you got it?

[@TrekCompsport]

I wish my bike made a cool taping noise like that

[@aaronnewton3056]

Mine is at the shop right now receiving a warranty replacement from Giant, mine made the same noise while I was on the first ride.. it sounded and felt like one of those cheap Forks on a Walmart bike.

[@kurtmaxwell3203]

Are they replacing it with a new crest 34 or a suntour raidon?

[@aaronnewton3056]

@@kurtmaxwell3203 they are replacing it with the crest 34, however mine was the 27.5 and they gave me the option of taking the 29er so I opted for the 29er fork, the 27.5 wheelset will fit just fine just a degree or two of head angle change

[@dangeranger69]

are you in canada? what did they say?

[@kurtmaxwell3203]

I live in southwest michigan. Unfortunately they have not responded to the warranty claim yet

[@dangeranger69]

@@kurtmaxwell3203 damn this was one of my fears with buying this bike was the giant fork, i only have two options where i live this a the kona honzo but it $300 more

[@jakubjirik3771]

Hi, did you solve the problem?

[@kurtmaxwell3203]

Not yet. I'll post another video when it's fixed

[@jakubjirik3771]

@@kurtmaxwell3203 OK, and will you recommend this bike even though there is the problem with fork? I wanna buy new bike but in these days are many bikes out of stock.

[@kurtmaxwell3203]

@@jakubjirik3771 definitely! It's a great bike other than the fork

[@hondar6777]

Great bike!! Fork just has some kinks that giant says they’re working on.

[@gabriellevine8717]

I've got about 150 miles on my Fathom 2 27.5 now.... some decent trail riding on Mt. Tam and around some other trails in Marin County (where I live). Got it in late December. Same clicking noise there from the beginning. Super annoying, especially on the bumpy/rocky trails. Everything seems to work/perform well, but I can't stand the noise. Sounds like I'm riding a cheap ol' Schwinn. Gonna' take it into the shop where I bought it - which says they haven't had the issue previously and has sold a lot of em. Sucks nobody has heard heard anything from Giant.

[@kurtmaxwell3203]

It's been 3 weeks since my shop submitted a warranty claim. Replacement forks are backordered.

[@gabriellevine8717]

@@kurtmaxwell3203 thx. Do you know whether they have any idea whether the new fork will fix the issue?

[@kurtmaxwell3203]

@@gabriellevine8717 They didn't say. I have heard some guys get suntour raidons, and others have said they replaced some cartridge in the fork.

[@gabriellevine8717]

@@kurtmaxwell3203 thx man. So frustrating.

[@kurtmaxwell3203]

@@gabriellevine8717 I know! Part of the reason I wanted this particular bike was because of what I hoped the Crest 34 would be. I heard performance almost on part with a fox 34 rythym

[@motorsinfocus]

Hello. does that fork has a lock ?

[@hondar6777]

No lock just firmness adjustment knob

[@brush_popper]

Ouch!

[@Alibek27]

Return by warranty

[@Dylivexo]

lower the air presser it will fix that

[@emphresh6039]

Mine does it as well.

[@Osscar12356]

U dont need suspension

[@kErMTMaN]

Another video solved it by adding an o ring

[@kurtmaxwell3203]

Where did they add the o-ring?

[@kErMTMaN]

@@kurtmaxwell3203 he opened the fork where you pump air.. check his youtube.. VasthePirate

[@kurtmaxwell3203]

@@kErMTMaN thanks!

[@PersianRugs7]

Does this O-ring fix work on the Crest 34 fork??

[@user-yc7uz9pr4d]

GINT Talon 2 👍💪🇰🇿🇰🇿🇰🇿🇰🇿🇰🇿🇰🇿🇰🇿🇰🇿🇰🇿🇰🇿🇰🇿 Hollooooo