Rings, cranks and bottom brackets

[pombstard]

And other such smut.

Need to get a new set for a hardtail MTB (Giant XTC) - currently got Raceface Evolve XC - no real probs, just worn out. Looking at Raceface Deus and Shimano XT stuff, but no real preference, so anyone got any recommendations?

[rico]

If your cassette, mechs and chain are Shimano, I'd go XT. It seems to work best that way. If you're using SRAM etc, then either will work great.

I've got XT on my XC bike and they're great. Stiff and light.

[pdV6]

The current crop of Hollowtech II stuff is very nice. There's no BB as such, the bearings are integrated into the cranks. Just slapped an LX set on my bike and they're noticeably better than the old XT stuff that came off.