856 weaknesses

[mizunole]

Just on a whim other than no disc break bosses, what are the structural weaknesses of the 856 frame? 

Seat stay strut looks a little weak to me.  But is that a real load bearing part?  I have often wondered do I really want to put that much confidence in the threads of a bolt connecting the shock.
why is there a gusset on the drive side swing arm? (may be obvious)
Why no gusset on the down tube?

Why the staying power?

If they weren't durable, they wouldn't have been around so long (BTW anyone catch the Haro Extreme http://cgi.ebay.com/HARO-EXTREME-XT-24-SPD-RST-19-5-INCH-FRAME-SIZE-LARGE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ98083QQihZ014QQitemZ330301315815QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVWQQsalenotsupported listed on ebay?  I used to drool over these reading Mountain Bike Action.)

[shovelon]

The only frame issues I have dealt with are small cracks at the swingarm mount on the frame. There is a hole just below the pivot that flexes and can crack. I have repaired 3 so far. The swingarm gusset was a response to cracking from pedaling stress(although I would never be able to pedal that hard ).

I have wondered myself why those shock bolts don't shear.

[orange]

they do - I have had 3 go between myself and a friend, but that was on an 857 to be fair. You need a really tough bolt up into the shock shaft.

[Old Proflexer]

abused 'krusty' for years and never had an issue -


OP