Snapped dropout?

[HovR]

Possibly not on really cheap stuff but I would have thought even a lower end Trek would have a replaceable dropout

Very few bikes I know of have replaceable dropouts. Maybe a few specialist frames that allow for belt drive, or allow you to swap between track ends and standard vertical dropouts.

I suspect you're thinking of the derailleur hanger, on the drive side only, which can often appear to form part of the dropout. This is also most likely what the LBS has broke.

Get them to pay for it! Especially if they've already admitted they accidentally broke it.

 

[Drago]

You've gotta try pretty hard to break a Mech hanger.

 

[MisterStan]

You've gotta try pretty hard to break a Mech hanger.

Not really, they are designed to fail, in order to save the frame.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Thanks for the reply Broadside.. I too was fairly perplexed!
The way the man worded it on the phone made it clear that the axle had broken, and WHILST they were stripping the rear wheel down to get at it, they "accidentally snapped the dropout".. it's that last bit that confuses me. How does that happen?!
Is it common for dropouts, or indeed axles, to wear out and just break? Is there something I might have done to cause it?

Hi and welcome to CC!
Don't know about broken dropouts (did bent one once though) but I had a rear axle break on me on a ride, scary stuff, just as well i was sitting at lights when it broke. Could certainly not pedal any further, so I don't understand the "clunking noise on putting power", my wheel was loose in the frame.
Lbs said it was metal fatigue (hitting potholes) plus there was some water in the hubs. Nothing you could have done apart from servicing your hubs regularly, I think you're meant to do it every 6 months.