need a new chainset as my old Icon has developed a creak and chinrings have seen better days.
like the idea of outboard bearings and have found a Hone chainset for £69.99.
are there any major differences between this and an LX. or does anyone know of any other bargins out there. dont want to spend more than £100 fitted...

No major difference between Hone and LX. Spider differs slightly but thats about it.

They are the same as far as i know. I have the LX and am happy with them.

XT is only £99.99 at CRC. Just got some, was going to get Hones but they were out of stock :(
XTs look really nice and probably a lot stiffer:)

mate has Hone and it looks nice, he got a Blackspire i think it is XC bashring so you can have all 3 rings and it all looks nice.
Dont know if theres much difference in all of the Shimano HT2 cranks.. better sealing supposedly on the XT ?

weight.

Weight – bearings are the same.

I'd go for the XT unless you are after a bashguard.

You can fit a bash guard to XT

THe only difference between LX and Hone apart from the colour is the fact that Hone has steel pedal inserts

Are the pedal inserts worth it? I read something in a mag that said they sometimes faal out, is this true?

i bloody hope not coz they are now attached to my baby!

Mister P is the Shimano UK brand manager, so he knows his stuff!

Nice chainset though