There's so much incorrect information throughout this thread that I think it's better to do a summary:
1991-1993: MC1 Adroit with 2" downtube, boron/carbon on seatstays and chainstays, boron/carbon reinforced Strata fork, X on serial, painted-to-match stem/bar combo
1994-1995: MC2 Adroit with 2" downtube, NO boron/carbon on frame just Gradient tubing, boron/carbon reinforced Strata fork, X on serial, painted-to-match stem/bar combo
1996 model year made 07-10/1995: identical to 1994 and 1995 Adroits, painted-to-match stem/bar combo only in the very first ones
1996 model year made ~10/1995 onwards: MC2 Adroit with Attitude frame, boron/carbon reinforced Strata fork, X or T on serial, black stem/bar combo
1997: MC2 Adroit with a modified frame based on 1996 Attitude frame - 1.75" downtube, threaded BB shell, routing for V-brakes, no Strata fork available, T on serial, black stem/bar combo
So, the REAL 1996 MC2 Adroits with 2" downtubes ceased to be made in fall 1995. After that the frames were surplus 1995 Attitude frames that were painted as Adroits.
If one bought his with a suspension fork, he paid a lot more compared to a exactly similar Attitude just for the different paintjob (which he could have gotten into the Attitude as well if wanted).
This was an outright scam by Trek back in the day.
For 1997 model year, the Trek used 1996 Attitude frame as a basis for Adroit and Attitude itself used a frame based on 1994-1996 Pulse/Pulse II frame.
To me, the 1997 model is not a proper Adroit even though it bears the name. But it doesn't make it any worse for riding hard and is at least better for everyday use with the modern updates.
BTW: only those with 2" downtube have reinforcements around bottle cage mounting points. 1997 model year bikes and Attitudes do not have them.
Here's a real 1996 Adroit with 2" downtube, made in September 1995:
