What now new Chainset?

iamcami

Hi,

Bike is GT Avalanche 1.0 2011. Bought around October 2011. Got a Halfords careplan so it's been in there a lot for gear adjustments and it's 1st annual service where I don't think they did anything.

About a month or 2 ago, the chain snapped. Or to be more accurate, one chain link came out on one side. It was just hanging on. My uncle who was with me had a chain tool and managed to put it back together but recommended I get a new chain. I looked in to this and it seemed like it'd be a good idea as it could extend the life of the other parts as well. cassette etc. So I order it in to Halford and get them to fit it for free. I got pretty much the same as the one that came with the bike (KMC HG-53 for about £13). When I took it out the shop, cycled it a bit noticed it was slipping. It'd stay in the same gear, the chain would just slip, lose grip in the teeth sort of. So seemed like I need a new rear cassette. The guy in Halfords saw one of the "teeth" looked worn around the gears it was slipping 7-9 at the back. So again I got the same/similiar cassette (Shimano HG-30 9 speed 11-34 i think around £17). So I'm now £30 down but thanks to my careplan, no labour charges. Then take it away and notice it's making a creaking sort of noise on almost every pedal stroke on one side. They now say new bottom bracket. So now gotten a new BB (around £13-£14). Just got it back and the chain is still slipping. It seems like it's the middle cog at the front. My question is now do I need a new one of these?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=46021

It's getting frustrating cause it wasn't even slipping before I took it in originally and got the new chain. I didn't even really notice the noise with the BB. It's like as soon as I've started replacing things, everything needs done. It's only about 18months old and tbh I'm a fairly light user. Maybe 2 hrs a week max usage but I do use it consistently in all weather.

So could it be that it just needed adjustments? Am I being conned here? Should I just suck it up and get the new chainset/front cogs. Is the above the right one? Can't find it on halfords. Ideally I'd get one from their website as they'll fit it for me if I buy it from them. If I get it elsewhere I can fit it myself and take it in and get them to fit it properly. Any suggestions?

feel free to ask any questions if I've described stuff poorly. I'm just pissed off as it's been in Halfords most of the summer and the more I spend the worse it's getting.

punkatron1

1st thing: stop going to halfords.

2nd thing: find a decent local bike shop.

3rd thing: have a look online at how to videos / instructions. Start in the workshop section of this forum. All of the things you've had done are easy to fix yourself. The parts on your bike are going to need replacing or adjusting after 18 months of weekly use in all seasons.

There's nothing more satisfying than doing something yourself and saving a few quid in the process.

njee20

Unfortunately that is just how it is. Everything works in slightly shagged harmony, until you replace one part (ie the chain).

The BB is unrelated, but 18 months isn't bad at all.

stubs

When a chain is so worn it starts breaking, the cassette and chain rings are also worn and need replacing at the same time. As punkatron says its all easy general maintenance and doesnt take long to do. 18 months out of a BB is okay for what is probably not a very well sealed unit.

It surprises a lot of people that MTBs wear out fast compared to road bikes when it shouldnt, try driving your car off road 2 hours a week in all weather for 18 months and see how long it lasts.

iamcami

Ok understood, I guess it has taken some abuse and done well, thnx for the replies... Also it is my goal to improve my own skills at bike maintenance but I have the careplan already paid for so want to get my moneys worth out of it too.

Is this the right part I'm looking at? http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=46021

I just looked up the part that came with the bike. Is it a good price? A good buy?

Any recommendations on the part I should get? At least I can try and fit it myself and if I mess it up get Halfords to sort it.

supersonic

What model of chainset is currently on there?

iamcami

Hey supersonic, i remember you from when I was discussing buying the bike!

Stock specs
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gt/ ... 6#features

Chainset:

Shimano M442
Chainrings:

44/32/22

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65545#tab3

This looks like the equivalant on Halfords website? ^ Although I don't mind getting the same one from Chainreaction and having a go at fitting it.

Would there be any benefit of getting a more expensive one?

supersonic

Is a good bike ;-)

However the chainset you can fit depends on the bottom bracket - the GT has an ES25 which is an Octalink spline. The CRC chainset is a square taper, and the one at Halfords powespline, both will not fit.

However I would buy the M442 and simply use the chainrings from it, they will fit perfectly. The crank comes off easily with a crank extractor tool, and the rings are held on with 5mm allen bolts.

iamcami

The bottom bracket I got was actually slightly different. According to my receipt, it's "ShimBB-ES51BB68-118mm"

Should I still go for the M442 from CRC then? Is that my best buy? Or is there an easier alternative?

supersonic

The ES series are all octalink. I'd scavenge the rings from that 442, is good value.

iamcami

OK, ordered. Thanks. I'll let you know how I get on.