By the year 2000, carbon fiber had emerged as the leading material for high end-bikes. Early models such as this one used lugs and glued-tube construction. Later models were “monocoque” or 1 piece construction. Carbon fiber was laid down in molds and shaped by inflated bladders within the molds. By carefully shaping the finished product, a better advantage could be made of carbon fiber’s unique properties, making it strong where it needed to be, and light where it could be (see the museum’s collection of Kestrel bikes for examples).
Specifications:
Designer/builder: Trek
Country of Origin: Waterloo, Wisconsin, USA
Weight: 1587.57g/ 3.5lbs.