Originally Posted by
JunkYardBike
Here's an official document issued by Trek on its history:
http://www.vintage-trek.com/TREK_History1.pdf
It points to quality control issues in the mid 80's, and especially a problem they had with the 2000 model, a bonded aluminum frame. There were actually a few well made bonded aluminum frames (Raleigh Technium among them), but I think Trek's failure must have spelled the death of that particular method of framebuilding.
Some don't like the flexy ride of the larger-framed Reynolds 531 Treks, others love the cushy ride. I've heard more than once that some of their early models had weak seatstay to seattube bonds that failed prematurely. I have personal experience with a frame that has one seatstay longer than the other (simple fix is a slight wheel redish) and a VERY low rear brake bridge. So, quality control could have been a bit better. Frame rides great, though.
These kinds of problems can be expected with any frame, however, especially mass produced frames like Trek.
I have ridden a 2000 since it was new; for about 10 years it was my only road bike. I haven't ever had any trouble with it. The technology was applied to the entire line, and the carbon-fiber tubed bikes through the mid-90's; so it wasn't a flash in the pan. The biggest problem that I have ever seen with this type of construction is that the paint is not as flexible as the glue in the joints, and they often develop cracks in the paint at the joint. I personally have never seen a failure with this construction. I
have seen failures in the similar method used to fasten together the Specialized Carbon Fiber Allez, and the forerunner to this technology, the Vitus aluminum and carbon fiber frames.