Looking to buy a new chainset for my Orange Gringo. Its 8 speed, which I'm happy with, and using a 9 speed chainset makes no difference from what I've heard.

Thing is, I've never been one to really pimp up the bike so will Deore do? Its Hollowtech and splined now (I know I'll need a neww BB too), so it look pretty good for the money. On CRC, there is two versions M530 and M540 - whats the difference? Shimano website no good!

Is it worth forking out the extra £20 and going for LX?

Or shoudl I be looking at TRruvativ or FSA chainsets?

Don't really want to spend more than the LX set (£75)

Any tips?

Can't go wrong with Shimano TBH

LX and XT bottom brackets and cranks are good, BUT beware LX and XT rings are aluminium and have cheese like qualities. I have LX on my bike and have just had to replace an LX chainring with Deore (steel) after only 3 months.

is that 1 vote for deore then?

LX or XT cranks with Deore (or anything tougher) rings (of course only when the orignals wear out).

Go for LX HT2 with outboard bearings - far better than the old octalink setups.

: / i much prefer st taper, after experiencing ISIS and HT2 BBs... sooo much more relaible.

Nah, I'm with Dan!

that's cause you ride like a woman HM ;-)

ride properly and the extra stiffness becomes aparent

Well I ride like a woman, but even I can tell the difference!

I can't tell the difference in stiffness, sticking to deore + Sq Tapered and I'm really fat.

If your heavy, or ride in Peak like gritty areas then HT2 just doesn't last at all.

Any votes for FSA or Truvativ?

maybe its cos i just run single ring set ups...

; )

as did i ;-)

It's not just stiffness, in my experience the bearing life of HT2 bearings are about triple that of Octalink and ISIS.

I have Hones which are basically just LX painted black.

They are lovely. Get Shimano.

maybe i'm just so hard on these bearings i need the reliable ones... mtbing 3 times a week in cold wet scotland is great for them ; )

honestly though, i'd much rather forego some suposed stiffness for some reliability... and i've certainly never found my chainset lacking.

over hyped imo
: )

edit: of course, if you don't want to go 'old skool' (sic) get shimano.

my 2 penneth, shimano

i have a raceface chainset sitting in my pile of bits at the moment, but no frame to hang 'em off