Hybrid Bicycles - 2012 Giant Escape 1

My first bike in almost 15years. Had a hard time deciding between the Trek Fx7.2 and Escape 1. I'm newbie so don't know anything about the components. I assumed they both are similar, since they fall in the same price range. The Giant LBS just gave me 2years free labor + lifetime adjustments so i went with the Escape. Have done about 30 miles in about 3days and i love it.

I plan on getting a wired cadence computer (suggestions?) and the ergon grips/bar ends. And switch from 32 to 28 or 25 tire size. Only thing i have gotten so far is the Radbot1000 and a kickstand.

What do you guys think?

Will installing a carbon fork, seat post, stem and handlebar make a difference in weight and make the bike a bit quicker? Though i have heard carbon components are prone to cracking and arent as durable as alloy. Is that true?

Will installing a carbon fork, seat post, stem and handlebar make a difference in weight and make the bike a bit quicker? Though i have heard carbon components are prone to cracking and arent as durable as alloy. Is that true?
It's not the material, it's how you use it. There are beefy carbon forks that are very difficult to crack. There are also carbon forks built so lightly I wouldn't put it past them to crack on your first ride.

Personally, I avoid carbon anywhere it would be "clamped" by another component or clamping one, e.g. seat post, handlebars, stem, steer tube, etc. Why? Carbon components are very picky about the clamping force they can take (use a torque wrench and lubricated bolts), so you have to use a low clamping force and a "carbon assembly compound" to add friction between the clamping and clamped areas. Overall, more of a hassle than it's worth, IMHO.

If you really want to save weight, and don't already have carbon shoes, that's the place to start. Should give you more gram/buck than any of the other components you've listed, and be as stiff as shoes come.

Edit:

I plan on getting a wired cadence computer (suggestions?) and the ergon grips/bar ends. And switch from 32 to 28 or 25 tire size. Only thing i have gotten so far is the Radbot1000 and a kickstand.
The Radbot 1000 us a great light. I don't own a cyclocomputer that does cadence, but the one I do own and use, I like very much. It's one of the Planet Bike's that handles two different wheel sets (my recumbent has a 650c as well as a 26" set), and I think there is a model one step up from it that does handle cadence.

All of those carbon bits that you're wondering about won't make the bike any quicker- just lighter...

I realize you were probably shopping within a certain price point, but from the mods that you are wanting to do, maybe you would've been better off getting one of the Rapid models from Giant.

All of those carbon bits that you're wondering about won't make the bike any quicker- just lighter...

I realize you were probably shopping within a certain price point, but from the mods that you are wanting to do, maybe you would've been better off getting one of the Rapid models from Giant.

The Rapid 2 was costing me $900 compared to $450 I paid for the Escape 1. Plus I have free labor for 2 years, so I thought I would see how much I got into biking and then add the parts later on as I needed.

And I was under the impression that being lighter will make the bike quicker. Is that not true?

What's your definition of 'quicker'? If you mean more responsive handling, the overall bike geometry has more to do with that than any component hanging off of it. If you mean faster, then being lighter weight helps... some. Ultimately, it's the amount of effort that you put into it physically will determine how fast you will be.

Being lightweight will help if your ride is uphill. For anything on flat ground, worry about drag (AKA wind resistance). While I'm sure it depends on your posture, clothing, and bike (probably in that order too), but at any decent speed drag will be the overwhelming force slowing you down, unless you're climbing a hill. Adding weight in, for example, aerobars or drop bars, can actually speed you up by giving you a more aerodynamic posture for the flats and downhills.

You guys are awesome. thanks.

Maybe I should just ride this bike for the time being and see how much I get into biking. Just have 30+ miles on it at the moment. I'll probably get the basic stuff (computer, tires, clipless pedals) and instead of spending money on carbon forks etc, i'll buy a road bike later on.

Now that ^^ is a plan. Since you're just starting out, don't put too much money into it yet. The bike you have will serve you well for the time being.