in the end - each to their own, no point getting worked up over it (esp over raiyn's crankiness
)
in any case, part of the reason why i asked about lefty models with varying travel was the strength issue - i can see that lefty's can still hold well over xc and maybe a bit more technical stuff (especially since your REAR wheel takes the first hit when doing a drop) but just how much can they take and more importantly how much do the manufacturers THINK they can take? as always, the strength problem is in the hub's connection with the suspension "arm". for example producing a 140mm travel lefty indicates a confidence (however misplaced - not debated here) that it can take so much beating etc etc.