Went for the overhaul: Saint SS cage rear mech with matching 9 speed cassette 11-28t. Opted for the Shimano 9 speed XT shifter as opposed to the Saint shifter (way overpriced as well as XT apparently have a better shift response and more durability). KMC X9 light chain - 9 speed gold chain with Ti nitride coating (Shimano chains keep popping on me, so I thought I'd give this badboy a chance to prove itself). Also, replaced the snapped OEM hanger with a solid billet NSB hanger for added rigidity and durability over the rough stuff. All from CRC.
Evil helped me decide with his experience of the Saint mech, so a round of applause to that man. I also had a good look at Mark's (Digger's) saint mech and was actually saying that day how my shitty altus has lasted ages....cough, cough........KARMA!
CRC get the saint mech back in stock 31/03/2011, so fingers crossed I'll have it all fitted by Saturday afternoon, ready for riding then, or all day Sunday or both