Originally Posted by Homeyba

Squirtdad, I have to stand by my original post. You're implying that something as simple as a "dropped chain" can cause a frame failure and that is simply not true. Your example isn't even a result of a chain drop. That frame was damaged by the chain being sucked up from underneath in-between the chainring and chainstay. That is a very uncommon occurrence (on road bikes) and not every bike would even be damaged by such an occurrence. Depending on how the bike is designed there could be plenty of room for the chain or very little (as is the case in your example). If the clearance is too small any frame material would be damaged.

Regarding replacement policies; Trek has that same replacement policy for their aluminum bikes (and all their bikes) as they do for their carbon bikes, ask Mr Beanz. I have another friend who broke three Cannondale frames and they were all replaced for free under warranty as well. When my Titanium Colnago frame failed it was replaced for free. Carbon has no monopoly on "liberal frame replacement policies."

I just pulled this off of Trek's website, they have free replacement on all their frames:
Limited Warranty

All Trek bicycles are sold exclusively through our network of authorized dealers who we entrust with professional assembly and service of your bicycle. Trek Bicycle Corporation provides each original retail purchaser of a Trek bicycle a warranty against defects in materials and workmanship, as stated below:

LIFETIME

• Frames for the lifetime of the original owner (except forks, the Session, Scratch, Slash, and Ticket model frames, and the swing arms on all full suspension bicycles)