My First Carbon (Gravel) Bike - Should I Use Protection?

Frame protection that is 😬

I just picked up a Giant Revolt Advanced 3 and I am coming off of a Giant Toughroad SLR GX 1. I always run protectors to stop cable rub around the headtube as standard, but what I'm curious about is if I should be running frame protection for the frame bag and toptube bag that I plan to run. I had my Toughroad for a little over 3 years and I always ran it with some sort of frame bag. After removing all the bags and doing a quick clean, I wasn't able to notice any damage from where the straps were on the frame.

I really put the Toughroad through quite a bit and tbh I wasn't too concerned with scuffing the frame from the frame bags. I don't know if I can be as carefree with the Revolt, but I personally feel like I *should* be okay. That said I did still want some input from others.

That's pretty surprising, for three years and frame bags with no visible signs of wear?

I'd imagine that dirt and grime can easily get trapped where the bags are strapped and become abrasive to the paint/clear coat after some time. 

Race Tape is your friend...  I put any place there might be wear....   

Ditto.

For sure with frame bags.

the only "issue" I have with carbon is that it really doesn't like abrasion.  I put race tape on my chain stays (apparently I'm a bit pigeon toed on my bikes). 

I'm guessing I didn't do a lot of riding in those 3 years that involved a lot of dirt/sand. Maybe that's why I was able to get away with that...