truvativ blaze3.0 creak needs replaced?

neepboy

Hi guys I've returned to biking for the first time since my teens (20yrs ago!) and jumped in and bought a Saracen Zen 1 second hand.... as I know shag all about MTBs and I appear to have bought a pup. So far it's needed new chain, jockey wheels, freewheel hub, rear hanger and now there's a more pronounced creaking noise that appears to be coming from the front crank area when "powering down" on the pedals. The chain ring is quite worn with the teeth very thin and sharp to the touch. I carefully set up the chain and gearchange after replacing the freewheel hub with a mate(we are both pretty good with cars and motorbikes and have a wide range of tools) but the chain fails to swap rings on occasions too. It's fitted with a Truvativ blaze 3.0 chainset, do I need a direct replacement or are there alternatives? Am I looking in the wrong area?
Any suggestions welcome!
bike spec here:http://www.bikes2udirect.com/B3179.html

Thanks and please be gentle with the Newbie

supersonic

Can you post a pic of the chinring teeth? The adjustment of the front derailer may need a tweak too.

neepboy

cheers for the fast reply! will try and sort out some photos. I've spent some time on the front derailleur and it changes well to begin with in the garage but after riding some trails the chain can fail to swap cogs and I have to back peddle to clear the snarl of chain on the front rings. Could be the creak and this are unrelated. guess a front mech/crank/chainring overhaul will do it good. learning a whole new language too! are Truvativ interchangeable with any other manufacturers? (sorry if that's a bone question)

supersonic

Sounds like you might be getting chainsuck which is down to worn teeth.

A like for like replacement of the chainset model you have is the best bet, but you'll probably need a new chain too.