They got that oldschool bombproof/old workhorse feeling and shout no-nonsense to all bikers from miles. The posh ones were made in the US of A, and altough mass-produced, build quality, performance and durability were and still are their key features. Built to last, they make an excellent tourer/commuter bike, if not the lightest, esp. the steel frame bikes, but bonded alu's (8000-7000, etc) are lighter significantly, at about 2 kg/19" size frame.
Repainted a 91' 970 frame a year ago, not light, but very nice, only real stupidity is the "factory standard" missing front der. cable stop from the seattube, which was somehow a design flaw with Treks pre 1993, really cant get it why, ' cause top pull front mechs were sold from late '91, so they should have used them, at least on top-end models, so duh :x
So, I guess they deserve more credit, and would recommend esp. US-made steel ones as No. 930-950-970-990, made from True Temper OXII-OXIII steel, just like a budget Fatty