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Trek Answers back on ZX

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Old 10-30-07, 06:01 PM
  #1  
digitalayon
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Trek Answers back on ZX

Many of us can remember the special Trek frames from the late 90's. It was a project with Easton. However they took a left turn at some point and some of us (like me) would want to know why they'd leave such a good frame since they are still highly sought after frames even now. So I emailed Trek and a gal replied to it. And it's a sad story in my opinion.

"Dear ###########,

In reference to your question about the Easton Project. May of these very desirable frames can still be found through the “used” sections in bike shops and on the web. The project was one of our finest feats. But it was also one of our failures at the same time. The margin of error wasn’t big enough to keep it going. For a good frame to go out and be bonded correctly to pass inspection, it had to be pretty much perfect. Thus with the level of quality needed, there were about 3 frames being made to every one that was made good enough to be made into a bike. The other problem we had was the warranty. The paint on that frame actually added strength to the frame. The paint bonded with the metal. When areas of paint were warn away from use, the frame would buckle and sometimes break. Those who tried to strip the frames for a repaint, found it very hard to remove in the later models. But by then it was too late and we moved our division out of Easton’s plant and settled happily in China where the quality is high on all levels. I hope this helps you with your question of “what happened to the Easton/Trek frame Project of the late 90’s?”

Thank You
############
Trek R&d"
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Old 10-30-07, 10:28 PM
  #2  
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i'm not familiar with this. someone mind filling me in or posting pics/links?? thx!
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Old 10-31-07, 06:02 AM
  #3  
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Originally Posted by digitalayon
So I emailed Trek and a gal replied to it. And it's a sad story in my opinion.

"Dear ###########,

In reference to your question about the Easton Project. May of these very desirable frames can still be found through the “used” sections in bike shops and on the web. The project was one of our finest feats. But it was also one of our failures at the same time. The margin of error wasn’t big enough to keep it going. For a good frame to go out and be bonded correctly to pass inspection, it had to be pretty much perfect. Thus with the level of quality needed, there were about 3 frames being made to every one that was made good enough to be made into a bike. The other problem we had was the warranty. The paint on that frame actually added strength to the frame. The paint bonded with the metal. When areas of paint were warn away from use, the frame would buckle and sometimes break. Those who tried to strip the frames for a repaint, found it very hard to remove in the later models. But by then it was too late and we moved our division out of Easton’s plant and settled happily in China where the quality is high on all levels. I hope this helps you with your question of “what happened to the Easton/Trek frame Project of the late 90’s?”

Thank You
############
Trek R&d"
More like a BS story. Late '90s?

Trek sold bonded aluminum frames with Easton tubing for nearly ten years. The last year for the bonded MTB frames was 1997. Trek just realized that the competition was enjoying obscene margins from Chinese made goods and wanted a piece of that action.
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Old 10-31-07, 08:59 AM
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digitalayon
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that's the problem....there is no info....it's as if Trek never did the project
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Old 10-31-07, 10:41 AM
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Go here: https://www.vintage-trek.com/TrekBrochures.htm

They introduce their bonded aluminum frame in 1985, and started marketing the tubesets as Easton E9 series in the late '80s.
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Old 10-31-07, 11:41 AM
  #6  
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Originally Posted by digitalayon
For a good frame to go out and be bonded correctly to pass inspection, it had to be pretty much perfect.
Maybe I'm reading too much into this line, but what does it imply about their other frames?
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Old 10-31-07, 01:12 PM
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Late nineties? i have other questions that need answering;

1. What ever happened to N'Sync?
2. whats the best use for my Y2k Bombshelter?
3. Will my cisco shares ever hit $80 again?
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Old 11-01-07, 07:32 AM
  #8  
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Originally Posted by digitalayon
But by then it was too late and we moved our division out of Easton’s plant and settled happily in China where the quality is high on all levels. I hope this helps you with your question of “what happened to the Easton/Trek frame Project of the late 90’s?”

Thank You
############
Trek R&d"
I beg to differ with high quality coming from China in anything......do they add lead to the bikes or some other deadly material we yet have to discover. They have no enviromental regluations and their crap is only pleasing to the eye until it is put in every day use situations, then falls apart sooner than later. Please, what a BS statement from a company that advertises "Hand built in the USA" on their top models. Worse is that pretty soon most Americans will not only be able to afford new cars, they won't be buying their new bikes either.....and on and on (bye bye middle class USA)
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Old 11-01-07, 09:04 AM
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Hmmm...my daughter's first MTB was the 7600zx in the Trek anniversary colours. She loved that bike.
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Old 11-05-07, 08:34 AM
  #10  
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My first bike was a Trek 7000 ZX, the dragonfly green.. I miss that bike so much!!
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Old 11-06-07, 01:12 AM
  #11  
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dude....I had the same bike color.....mine was stolen....I swear the ZX series climed better than the later 7000 models.....I just found on ebay a 96' 18 inch 7000 ZX frame. Bought it for 80 bucks....can't wait to build it up with my 2002 LX parts.
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Old 10-20-10, 12:00 PM
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1997 zx 7000

After a lifetime of riding road bikes i bought my first MTN bike at age 59. A used (stored in a garage for 10 years) TREK ZX 7000. Tires were rotten cotton (Psychos...looked brand new!) I took it to mt LBS and had some Kenda K-Rads installed along with a general tuneup. The smallish 18" frame seemed too small for me but the bike shop guy said it would be fine. He said the frame was perfect. After 340 miles of flat trail and road riding I am completely blown away with this bike. I'll never go back to road bikes-this is way too much fun!
Here's my queston...should I upgrade the bike or save my money and invest in a more modern bike? I only paid 150 dollars for the Trek. i would appreciate any opinions / advice as I'm a complete newbie to MTN biking. Going forward, I'd like to try my hand at all terrain biking. Not looking to do downhill or aggressive...more like XC and touring. Thanks!
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Old 10-20-10, 03:37 PM
  #13  
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"Here's my queston...should I upgrade the bike or save my money and invest in a more modern bike?"

Yes do both. Sooner or later you will 'need' a new bike, just like the wife need new shoes.
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Old 10-20-10, 04:50 PM
  #14  
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Here's my question: Does anyone at trek understand grammar?

"When areas of paint were warn away from use, the frame would buckle and sometimes break."

I hate when my paint gets warn out.

+1 to Junkyard's comment.

I had an old trek 8000 that i freakin' loved. I traded it for a bass guitar and amp. Dumbest trade for me (to date).
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Old 04-05-17, 06:57 AM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by digitalayon
Many of us can remember the special Trek frames from the late 90's. It was a project with Easton. However they took a left turn at some point and some of us (like me) would want to know why they'd leave such a good frame since they are still highly sought after frames even now. So I emailed Trek and a gal replied to it. And it's a sad story in my opinion.

"Dear ###########,

In reference to your question about the Easton Project. May of these very desirable frames can still be found through the “used” sections in bike shops and on the web. The project was one of our finest feats. But it was also one of our failures at the same time. The margin of error wasn’t big enough to keep it going. For a good frame to go out and be bonded correctly to pass inspection, it had to be pretty much perfect. Thus with the level of quality needed, there were about 3 frames being made to every one that was made good enough to be made into a bike. The other problem we had was the warranty. The paint on that frame actually added strength to the frame. The paint bonded with the metal. When areas of paint were warn away from use, the frame would buckle and sometimes break. Those who tried to strip the frames for a repaint, found it very hard to remove in the later models. But by then it was too late and we moved our division out of Easton’s plant and settled happily in China where the quality is high on all levels. I hope this helps you with your question of “what happened to the Easton/Trek frame Project of the late 90’s?”

Thank You
############
Trek R&d"
***ZOMBIE ALERT***

The above statement most likely was given by someone in the mailroom. Paint adding strength to the frame??

I just bought a '96 7000zx off CL for 60.00 and now giving it a new paint finish so I can safely ride this off the curb.
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Old 04-06-17, 05:59 AM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by trek1
, what a BS statement from a company that advertises "Hand built in the USA" on their top models.
Frames that are built in China / Taiwan then all the parts (also made in the same place) are assembled onto the frames (hand built) at their plant in Waterloo, WI. So only partial BS. The bottom line is there is no major bicycle production in the U.S. for any of the big players. And if they did make them here, the vast majority couldn't afford them.

https://www.cnbc.com/2014/08/01/in-wa...-bicycles.html
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