Originally Posted by
HillRider
The crack between the brake bridge and the seat stay isn't a major problem but the crack through the seat stay tubing itself certainly is.
that was my guess. and I doubt a crack in the seatstay tubing is something trek can "fix."
It's looking like a Nashbar frame may be my best bet, unfortunately.
EDIT: I just took a bit of sandpaper to the seatstay crack, and the crack sanded right off, which tells me it was just in the paint. You can still see light through it though, just like before.