I can soo relate to you . I am finally getting my steed working again after a crash bent a tube in sept. I had a seatstay bend in an inch, had to replace it and not enough money to do it all. Not about to get a 1992 steel frame replaced. The Litespeed though should be very much a warranty item, regardless of the time away from sale. If Giant(my bikes) can give a lifetime warranty, then they will.