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Hope XC Cartridge

Fork
Short listed were: Marzocchi Shiver SC, Rock Shox Psylo Race. The Shiver SC is a new design and perhaps needs time to prove itself. In the end, weight and XC ability were the over-riding factors. The Psylo Race is the only reasonably light, five inch travel fork that can do serious Freeride duties.
Brakes
Short listed were: Hope Mini, Hope Enduro/M4. The Hope Mini is a superb disk brake, let down only by a reputation for squealing. This can apply to any disk brake though if it's not looked after properly (ditto V brakes). The Enduro edged out the slightly lighter Mini's in the end, by virtue of it's dual pistons which improve modulation.
Pedals
Short listed were: Shimano 858, Time Atac Alium and Atac Carbon. In the dry, Shimano pedals are the easiest and the best. In the wet and in the snow, Time Atacs rule. The question is, are you prepared to own two different sets of pedals? (and shoes if you don't want to change cleats at the last minute). In addition you need a slightly different action to engage with the Time system, keeping one system all year round avoids a re-learning process for clipping in. The Atac Carbons are not light enough to justify the huge price, functionally they are the same as the Aliums. So the winner on value is the Atac Alium. The winner all round is the Crank Brothers Egg Beater.

Thomson Setback 225g

Crankset
Short listed were: Shimano XTR, Shimano XT, Race Face Next LP. The Race Face cranks are the stiffest and strongest, but the price is not justified. In addition the paint on the LP's chips and scratches and you cannot safely use degreaser on the crankset, due to de-lamination of the carbon section ' which falls out! The XTR crankset is now an outdated design with the Hollowtech being the best value. For the best value of all go with the superb Deore Hollowtech, although this has steel inner and middle rings. Winner XT Hollowtech due to it's good combination of value, stiffness and low weight.
Handlebar
Short listed were: Easton Monkeylite, Easton Scandium riser. The carbon Monkeylite bar wins as it's seriously light and also stronger than the Scandium bar. This is as long as the plastic coating of the bar remains intact. Bar ends, brake, stem and gear clamps can all be over tightened or have sharp edges which can damage the surface coating and result in failure. Using solvents to remove or secure grips is also a no-no. ODI Lock-On grips are a smart choice, they may not be the lightest, but their function is by far the best. The collars also serve to help protect the bar's plastic coating at it's vulnerable ends.
Stem
Short listed were: Easton Magnesium, 3TTT 'The Stem'. I tend to agree with 'What Mountain Bike' who said that a stem is just a clamp joining fork and handlebar. The Easton Magnesium stem is very light, but is subject to corrosion problems as soon as it's paintwork is damaged, which is within a short time by all accounts. The awkwardly named 3TTT 'The Stem' is incredible value for a light (just under 200g) and stiff stem. The reason it's so cheap is down to mass production. Forging is a great way to make a stem but the initial investment is very high. Once the 'moulds' are made, strong, light pieces can be cast in great numbers relatively cheaply. Winner 3TTT 'The Stem', at this price I can afford to try two different lengths'

Shimano XT Hollowtech 635g

Headset
Short listed were: Woodman Saturn Cartridge, WTB Momentum Greaseguard. The WTB Momentum Greaseguard is the most weather worthy headset of all time. The ultra-easy re-greasing procedure will keep it running pretty much forever (forget the impossible to fill with grease back pressure of some grease ported bushings, ball bearing races flush through easily). However there are two potential problems: 1. possible disk brake contamination with excess grease getting washed down on to the disk. Careful cleaning around the races should avoid this. 2. The headsets are in short supply in the UK at the moment. This may well be a temporary shortage, but the Woodman could still win on availability.

Time Atac Alium: 426g Crank Brothers Egg Beater: Unbeatable. Full Screen

Rear Derailleur
Short listed were: Shimano XTR, XT. Shimano are the only consideration unless you like the low weight and simplicity of GripShift. We don't, the main reason being involuntary shifting. In the end XTR wins over XT because of it's secret spring tension adjustment screw. Tightening this gives more tension, resulting in snappier shifting less prone to mud interference. Winner XTR.
Remaining Groupset items
Considered: Shimano XT, XTR. The XT group won this on value alone. XTR is great if money is no object, we like to have an improvement in performance you can really feel for that kind of money.
Hubs
Short listed were: Shimano XT, Hope Bulb. The Shimano hubs are easily serviced at home. However, if you're feeling lazy or just don't get round to servicing them after some wet rides, they will be permanently damaged as the cups are a fixed part of the hub. Hope hubs use cartridge bearings, which means that if the balls rust they won't damage the hub whilst they're at it. Winner Hope Bulb.
Rims
Short listed were: Mavic CrossMax Disk, Mavic 317XC. The Mavic CrossMax are super-light, but perhaps not strong enough for Freeride duties. Other considerations that tipped in favour of the 317XC's were: known and trusted strength, ease of re-building and truing and compatibility with Stan's Tubeless System.
Tyres
Short listed were: Panaracer Fire XC Pro 2.1, Specialized Team Control/Master 2.0 Kevlar. Those of you who have read much of MTBB so far will know we think tyres are one of the most important choices on a bike. We still choose the Specialized Team Control/Master. The Fire XC Pro tyres are a good ride too.
Tube/Tubeless System
Short listed were: Mavic UST, Stan's Tubeless System. To see why Stan's won this argument check out our full review at Stan's Tubeless System.
Finishing Up
So that about does it. Now all I have to do is convince them to spray it up in MTB Britain colours! Look out for the pictures and low down in a few weeks time :-)

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