Just to clear up something....
I just got off the phone with my Trek rep. Here are the facts about the much discussed Crash Replacement program.
First, let me say personally, I strongly recommend anyone who rides high-end bikes to purchase a full replacement cost rider on their homeowners or renters insurance for their bike(s). It is very inexpensive and would offset replacement costs should something unforseen happen to your bikes.
That said, what happens with Trek is, let's say you damage your Madone 5.2. You take it to the dealer who does a few simple field tests to help rule out strictly cosmetic damage. These frames are very well designed and can take a lot before they fail or are damaged. Photos are taken of the damage and sent to the warranty dept. at Trek for evaluation. If it is decided that the frame cannot be ridden safely or repaired, the dealer is credited $350 that the customer may apply any way they see fit. If they wanted a new frame, the price from me would be around $1500. Significantly less than the $2749 on the bikesdirect.com site.
As a sidenote, I have sent photos to Trek with descriptions of the crash and had them say "crash or no crash, it shouldn't have broken like this" and sent a new frame gratis. I have yet to administer a Crash Replacement claim, even though I have certainly submitted some crashed bikes.
Now, even if you had to pay the $1500 but had an insurance rider, your out-of-pocket expense would be only your deductable(if you had one). I have had two customers thank me for recommending that coverage. One pulled a little too far into the garage and crushed his 5900 against the back wall, another drove into the garage with his Project One Madone 5.9 on the roof rack
on the way home from picking it up.
He was on his cell phone calling up a friend to go riding with him.... That one was ugly. <shakes head> Insurance saved the day both times.
So....there y'are....
