Originally Posted by obrentharris

Those very same manufacturers all ship their bikes with dropout spacers.

A good spacer will brace one fork or dropout against the other, thus nearly doubling the amount of force that is required to deform it. Scratches and dings can be avoided with proper padding. (pipe insulation, bubble wrap, etc) I agree that if the force is great enough to bend or crack tubing that the dropout spacer will not help. I'm sure this has happened but I have yet to see it.


See my answer above re: stays. Again the force has to be considerably greater to deform two frame members than to deform one.



I have been fortunate to have only had to make a claim once. The claim was denied. I did not think the bike was worth enough for me to pursue it beyond the first denial. A foolish move on my part, perhaps, given the cases you cite. I'm glad to be wrong and wish the OP the best possible resolution.
Brent