ohh nice carbon hmmm im not that rich lol, Ive never tried the yeti ones no, I went for the troylees as they have the raised edge that stops your hands slipping. I didnt think grips where that bigger deal until I got these although I think if I ever ruin these ill give some lizard skin grips a try as Ive heard very good things about them. Mine came with avid juicy threes as standard and they did the job well enough I ran them on my hard tail as well and they went a bit crappy after a full years riding mostly xc. I weighed up the xo stuff but it was so much more money than the shimano saint gear I couldnt justify it. Tbh I never really noticed the nukeproof stem was really heavy but mine came with a truvativ standard stem so I didnt really have a direct comparison with anouther direct mount stem. All I know is Ive been riding DH for a year and its stood up to the crap I give it when I mess something up and dont land quite right. It seems really solid and the bolts never come loose.

 I might have a look for a second hand set of boxxers for mine then. Unfortunatley I live in england so riding in slop is kind of what we do lol. I can recommend renthal fatbars,nukeproof direct mount stems,all the saint gear is awesome, and my hope v2's never fail to stop me when I need it whatever the weather is doing.The troylee odi grips i have are excellent as well make my old spank grips feel like crap lol. Ive just put maxxis high rollers on mine replacing the kendas, they roll a hell of a lot better dont think they will be as good in the mud though. Its lethal when the weather is bad here as I just end up on the net buying new parts lol need to stop as im getting skint now!

 I love mine norco seem to get a lot of hate though! How do you find the boxxers as I like how my zocchi's ride and how much they can take a beating but there so damn heavy the make the bike front heavy. Are boxxers as bad as ppl say for servicing? As the 888's just run forever...

 I know I was well happy when it came and went on nice. Where did you mount it nearer the wheel or the same place as mine? You wouldnt believe how many ppl have asked me about that mud guard now lol

 it will def save you some weight especially if you buy the carbon post as the seat weighs next to nothing. There just not comfortable to sit on thats all.

 No it just tie wraps on its designed to fit the other side of the swing arm and on to a round arm. But I just tie wrapped it where I wanted it. I noticed my shock was getting plastered but this does the trick fine!