Framebuilders - Need advice about frame safety from frame builders

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EnvyofSisyphus
10-24-09, 12:45 PM
Hello, everyone

I'm new to Bike Forums. I have an old Trek ZX6000 hard tail mountain bike. I bought it new in 1997 or 1998. Right after I bought it, I did a fair amount of off road riding -- bouncing around on Southern California fire trails; nothing extremely rough. In the past two or three years I haven't ridden it much, but when I have, it's been on paved streets.

I'm thinking about getting back into bicycling again, but I'm concerned about the reliability of the ZX6000 frame. The information on the seat tube says that the frame is made of Easton aluminum and that it is "bonded," which I assume means that it is glued together rather than TIG-welded. I am worried that after 12 years and some off road riding, the bonding agent [glue] might not be reliable any more. I don't want a frame failure. Can somebody enlighten me about the longevity of bike frame glues? And, would a local bike shop mechanic be able to give an opinion of frame safety after inspecting the frame?

Thanks

unterhausen
10-24-09, 03:18 PM
I can't really tell you about your specific frame, but there are bonded aluminum bikes from the '70s still floating around in use without problem. So it is possible
Nessism
10-24-09, 05:34 PM
Look at the frame where the tubes come together and look for cracks in the paint or metal. Unless there is something noticeably wrong, I wouldn't worry about it.