Stuff I Like, Part I: Mountain Bikes

Welcome to my blog.  To kick things off I'd like to share a few lists of cycling-related Stuff I Like.  I've seen other bloggers (specifically, local pro Brendan Moore) with similar posts and figure my lists might prove useful, as I seem to spew these preferences often to all who will listen.  I've been riding for a few years now and have tried a lot of different things.  Nothing groundbreaking here, just my preferences.  I'll post these lists in parts, in no particular order. 

Part I: Mountain Bikes.

1. 26" wheeled bikes.  More agile, lower BB height and center of mass, lighter, easier to accelerate, shorter chainstays/wheelbase for better climbing grip and faster cornering, and stiffer wheels.  29ers may have their place for some but there is no longer one in my stable. I like technical trails so the 26" has become my preferred ride.
2. Full suspension.  All travels are great, but for XC racing 100 mm is the ticket.  The current Trek Top Fuel is my favorite, although to be fair I haven't tried many of its competitors, but I don't need to. They are probably equally good.  A FS 26" will roll over obstacles better than a hardtail 29er at similar weight with better rear wheel traction and stay-seated efficiency. 
3. The Fuel EX is a really fun bike; the best all-purpose, all-day trail bike I've had.
4. Shimano disc brakes with resin pads.  SLX, XT and XTR work pretty much the same, so I like SLX since you save a boat load of money and only give up minor features and add some weight.  Pick XT if you want more adjustment and less weight.  Shimano brakes have the best modulation and power of any brand I've used.  They are insanely quiet.  Resin pads last a while as long as they don't get wet. CenterLock rotors should be an industry wide-mandatory standard.  6-bolt is a cruel joke in comparison.
5. Shimano XT/XTR drivetrain.  XTR shifters (multi-release is awesome), XT derailleurs (work as well as XTR but cheaper to replace), XT crank, XT cassette. SRAM stuff is okay but Shimano have stepped up their game big-time in recent years. Shifting is super positive, precise, and reliable. They forgo carbon when it doesn't make sense (ahem, SRAM) and get the best out of aluminum.
6. Shimano chains.  Ever since Cancellara broke a SRAM chain in Flanders a couple years ago, I copied him and use Shimano chains across the board.
7. Shimano chainrings and cassettes. They shift better than anything and are quiet and smooth. 
8. Tubulars.  Yes, MTB tubulars.  Expensive and there are not a lot of tires choices (yet?), but they are worth it.  Tubeless tires can't touch the suppleness and grip of a tubular.
9. DT Swiss 240S hubs.  Light, reliable, common, CenterLock available, tons of options, better engagement, not annoyingly loud, black.  No waste-of-money ceramic bearings.  Just great hubs that have been around a long time.
10. Fox forks and shocks.  Reliable and great build quality. Pro Pedal rear shock, always on, no lockout.
11. 9° backsweep, 5° upsweep low-riser bars.  640 mm wide.  
12.  Remote fork lockouts.  As much as I dislike the extra gizmo and cable, it feels better locked out while out of the saddle, with less chance of forgetting it.
13. Having 4 tire choices: Dry, All-Purpose, Wet, and Mud.  Bring the all-purpose treads every time, plus one of the others depending on conditions. My choices in the above categories: Geax Saguaro, Maxxis Crossmark, Bontrager XR3, Bontrager Mud X
14. New Crank Brothers Candy alloy-body pedals, specifically the Candy 3.  Better design than the last version, easier to clean, tougher.  Still cheaper than other brands' high-end pedals.
15. Gears.  I tried single speeding for most of an entire year and will never do it again.  It made me a better rider and taught me the importance of gear selection, but I am convinced any rider is faster with gears once they know how to use them.  Oppressive, derailleur-eating mud is a good place for a SS, but beyond that it feels like a handicap to me.
16. Non-rigid bikes.  A semi-repeat of above.  I have a hard time understanding why some people prefer rigid bikes for every course.  Again, I tried rigid bikes for a whole year but it made my wrists hurt and I bouced all over the place.  Line selection becomes so critical it makes my brain hurt. They are fun at certain courses, but I'm faster on a full suspension bike.
17. 2x9/10 drivetrains.  I like 1x9/10 drivetrains but grew tired of swapping chainrings, and couldn't accept using one for everything. Lighter and simpler is good, but so is not having to change rings. My favorite chainring combo is 32/42. 
18. ESI chunky grips.  Soft and compliant but very grippy and they don't spin on the bars.  Black is the only color worth buying; every other color looks terrible after one ride. 
19. Blackburn carbon bottle cages, matte black.
20. Selle Italia SLR XP saddles.  I use them across the board.
21. Bontrager RXL stems. Very light, but torsionally stiff and cheaper than most high-end stems. Clean and simple.
22. Bontrager, Easton, or DT Swiss pre-built wheelesets.
23. Black bikes and components (except crankarms).  Stealthy and clean. You can use electrical tape for frame protectors.  Cables blend in.  Everything matches. 

   Next up: Cyclocross