I apologize for leaving that out, and if i'm coming off stubborn.... I appreciate all your responses...
Yeah that's what im leaning to, though may just go with a cheaper sram 9speed cassette and a jtek shiftmate, unless you think there is a significant difference in the quality of a basic sram and IRD.
For a mtb derailleur, what would you recomend? is the deore lx good, or should i spring for the xr, or something different?