One piece triple chainset?

[Pionir]

I have a Shimano Fc330 (low end 2000 era Alivio or Acera I think) crank with a triple chainset which appears to be all one piece.

The large chainring is worn so it now jumps and I need to replace it. I've got a single outer but I can't see how to get the big chainring off the triple away from the rest.

Are these really one piece or do I just need to get the crank off to see how it comes apart?

Cheers, David

 

[legrandefromage]

one piece spot welded rings I'm afraid

Upgrade time!

 

[Pionir]

Re:

I also have the middle and small rings and rather scuffed drive side crank. Are the fc330 cranks specifically for one piece chainsets?

I'll change the lot if I need to but I'd prefer to reuse the existing if possible!

 

[legrandefromage]

3 steel chainrings are spotwelded together which in turn are bolted to the alloy crank arm.

You cant replace them unless you find the whole lot

 

[Pionir]

Re:

Sorry, what I was trying to ask (unclearly) is whether the way the crank bolts to the rings is specific to the one piece rings? E.g. Could 3 chainring from a traditional chainset work, or would the need the correct crank too?

 

[legrandefromage]

you'd need the correct cranks, new chainset etc etc

 

[Pionir]

Re:

Ah dammit. Thanks a lot for the advice anyway. I've got a long evening ahead then!

 

[Pionir]

Arse, the spare chainset I have is oriented with the square hole at 45 degrees to the old one.

I don't actually need a triple (it's an 8 speed mtb with slicks for road) so if I'm buying a new chainset could I go 2x or even 1x?

Is the BB offset different for triple vs 2x?

I've read 1x needs a clutch in the rear mech, but I don't remember that on my old 1x5 I had as a kid!

 

[legrandefromage]

Single or double should be fine. Just make sure the teeth on the rings are not profiled for shifting if using a single chainring as these can throw the chain off between shifts.

Existing axle should be ok as it wont be very long.

 

[Pionir]

Thanks!