Math2p14,

For the money, XT cranks are a best buy. They are light, stiff, strong, and octalink. A racer that comes to my shop weighs 212, races cat 2, has broken 12 Specialized(Specialized calls him "the crusher") S-works MTB frames, and swears by the XT cranks. I have yet to find a BB that gets good reviews from a lot of people. BB's are disposable, so I wouldn't really worry about it. When it starts making noise or getting sticky, pitch it and get a new one.