| BOTTOM
BRACKET: Race
Face Taper Lock Bottom Bracket (110mm Steel) |
 This
BB is light, silky smooth, has cartridge bearings, adjustable chain
line, and it's from Race
Face..... Unless you want to give in and travel the Shimano
proprietary road, this would be my suggestion for a top-notch BB.
The titanium model is lighter, but NOT
recommended for riders over 180lbs, a group in which I definitely do
not reside.... 
And you can check out some reviews over at mtbREVIEW. |
 This
Shimano BB-UN52 unit is actually not the original stock BB. The
stock (no-name) unit self-destructed after only about 60 miles. My
LBS replaced it with the much smoother, nicer, and lighter Shimano
part here.... Great spare to have on-hand.... but even as an
upgrade part itself is a boat anchor compared to the RF
part... |
| Weight:
220.05g |
Weight:
317.1g |
| CASSETTE:
Shimano
CS-M750 (12-34T) |
 I
chose the XT
cassette over the XTR
cassette for two related reasons. Currently, at 220+ lbs, I am a bit
concerned that I might destroy one of the XTR titanium cogs,
creating a very expensive paper weight.... which is reason #2: The
XTR cassette is a very expensive part. I don't mind spending
big bucks on a part, but shelling out mucho bucks and
having durability doubts is just too much to ask. Read the reviews
at mtbREVIEW. |
 Also
Shimano, the stock CS-HG50
(11-30T) is part of the Shimano
Alivio line, for Novice/Recreational use.
Steel, heavy, 8-speed..... gone.
|
| Weight:
299.05g |
Weight:
358.5 |
| CHAIN:
Shimano
CN-HG92 (9-speed) |
 Nothing
glamorous here, just the XT-level 9-speed chain to start. I suspect
that I will try out a "power link" type chain at some
point. Anyway, the some reviews on this chain can be found
over at mtbREVIEW. |
 The
stock chain was a Shimano HG part as well, but of course had to be
dumped for its 9-speed cousin... Due to the narrower profile of the
9-speed part, a small weight savings was realized. |
| Weight:
278.75g (installed) |
Weight:
292.35g |
| CHAINRINGS:
Race
Face Race Rings (Compact 9-Speed) |
 Sweet
set of rings... Machined well, easy to install, shift very smoothly
(ramped and pinned), a whole lot lighter than the stock unit they
replace, and they look great. Many nice things have been said about
these guys over at mtbREVIEW. |
 The
stock Shimano rings are steel, so they would last a long time... and
they do shift "OK"..... but.... they're stamped steel
which is both super heavy and butt-ugly! The "pins" are
stamped into the ring, setup for 4-arm spider, and are 8-speed
only... They had to go! |
| Weight:
236.15g |
Weight:
364.4g |
| CRANKSET:
Race
Face Next LP (Compact) |
 Short
of totally insane DH runs or 12+ foot drops, this Race
Face part is absolutely bomb proof. Extremely stiff, super
craftsmanship, trick looks, and it's not a splined Shimano part! 
Check the reviews at mtbREVIEW. |
 Decent
part for a consumer level bike, but simply not in the same league as
the Next
LP... With over a pound of material to work with, it should
be a much better part. |
| Weight:
423.10g |
Weight:
466.4g |
| FRONT
DERAILLEUR: Shimano
FD-M952 |
 Simply
a beautiful part! Works extremely well with the Race
Face Rings. Very close tolerances and smooth shifting. Check
the reviews at mtbREVIEW. |
 The
stock Shimano
FD-M330 from the Acera line is inferior to the XTR front
derailleur in all respects: material, workmanship, performance,
looks, and especially weight. |
| Weight:
113.80g |
Weight:
169.20g |
| REAR
DERAILLEUR: Shimano
RD-M952-SGS |
 A
work of art! Great performance, easy and precision adjustments,
looks are awesome, and I really like the rubber boots. Check the
reviews at mtbREVIEW.
|
 The
stock Shimano
RD-MC18 is from the Alivio line and should frankly not even
be pictured on the same page as the XTR part much less be compared
to it. Sure glad I decided to upgrade the drivetrain to 9-speed...
the 72g weight savings is a pretty cool bonus too! |
| Weight:
235.10g |
Weight:
307.00g |
| PEDALS:
Shimano
PD-M858 |
 Man
was I ever glad to see these Shimano
PD-M858 SPD Pedals arrive. Check the reviews over at mtbREVIEW
on this part. A good balance between performance, strength, and
weight. And buying Shimano is sort of like choosing IBM, in
that "No one ever got fired for buying IBM." Looking
forward to putting many miles on them. |
 ...and
here's where we started. This is the DB Response Sport OE pedal is
made by Wellgo in China from black ABS plastic and is absolutely
"butt-ugly"! |
| Weight:
380g |
Weight:
315g |
