gunslinger14647

I tried a search, but I couldn't find my specific issue. I have cracks in the aluminum dropouts of my carbon framed Madone 5.2. Are these replaceable? I can't see a way to remove them. Is this covered under their frame warranty? I've emailed Trek, but I don't have a response yet. Anyone with knowledge or previous experience with something like this? Thanks, everyone, for any help you can give.

AEO

yes, this should be covered under warranty. I'm pretty sure trek will tell you to take it to the nearest trek dealer or where you bought it from.

gunslinger14647

AEO, wow quick response! Thank you! To what end do you think they will remedy this? Is this a frame replacement, or a dropout replacement, do you know?

AEO

when you say cracked drop out, do you mean the derailer hanger or the entire thing? does it have a replaceable derailer hanger?

it's most likely they'll send the entire frame back to trek and you'll get a new replacement if it's the dropout and not the hanger.

StanSeven

Emails to Trek and posting here won't do you any good. Trek will want an authorized dealer to look at your frame.

gunslinger14647

There is a crack in both of the dropouts which run parallel to the seatstays, and the right side also has a crack parallel to the chainstay. The cracks stem from where the aluminum dropouts mate to the carbon fiber.

gunslinger14647

I hear what you're saying, StanSeven. I know Trek won't authorize anything until a shop checks it out. I guess my question was more to find out if this type of issue falls under the frame warranty. I just ride, I don't turn wrenches, so I don't know if the dropouts are replaceable on these frame, or if the are integral once they're bonded.

StanSeven

Trek is very good about warranty problems. Sorry if my response soundn't abrupt. They will want a dealer to inspect just to be sure the damage wasn't caused by something like driving in a garage with the bike on a roof rack.

It sounds like you should be covered.

gunslinger14647

No worries, StanSeven, I didn't think you were abrupt. It sounds like I should be okay; not a scratch on the bike, just those cracks. I only found them because I pulled the rear wheel in preparation for a good cleaning. Thanks for the info!

gunslinger14647

Forgot to ask; Do I need to wait for them to give me some sort of direction, or can I simply take my ride to my favorite authorized dealer?

StanSeven

No. Just take it to the dealer. Usually the dealer does everything for you. You just need a proof of sale to show you are the original owner.

AEO

they'll probably just tell you to take it to a dealer. so no point waiting around.
all warranty work is done through a dealer.

gunslinger14647

Ugh! I doubt I have a receipt for this. I bought it over two years ago. I did register it, though, so maybe that will work.

gunslinger14647

Thanks to you and StanSeven!! I'm going to go down tomorrow and get this started ASAP. I'm trying to get up to riding 100 miles by end of September, and don't want to lose my endurance.

brentley

Yes
Take it to a trek dealer. Even better if it is the one that you purchased it at.

Trek will allow the shop folks to tell them what needs to be done.
If the dropouts are cracked it should be a new frame.

Bad news is that they just introduced their 2010 line last week so they may be a bit slow.

If you want custom colors or other stuff you might want to ask trek what your options are.

I have also heard anecdotally that trek sometimes just replaces the frame leaving you with a mis matched fork. Make sure you get full details on what you are getting.

All that being said, I garaged an old OCLV 5200 last year about this time and Trek was super good about helping me out.

gunslinger14647

Hi, Brentley. Unfortunately for me, I bought the bike in Santa Clara and I know live in SoCal, so I'll just got to the LBS I shop at. Bums me to hear it may be a slow process; I hate not being able to ride. As far as custom colors and extras, I just wanna ride. They can replace it with whatever color they want; although I do hope they don't mismatch the frame and fork. I ride in the desert, so I usually wear a camelback, and already look like a fred. I don't need to make it worse