Replacement chainset vs chain rings?

[jifdave]

My brother has one of these http://m.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/hardrock-sport-disc-2010-mountain-bike-ec019399 and the front rings are worn.

Is it a better option to change the rings or the whole chainset?

He is very broke so the cheapest option with links if you please fine sirs/ladies

 

[henshaw11]

It can be, depends on what chainset you're fitting and whether you need to add in the cost of a matching bottom bracket. As far as cheap goes, steel shimano middle rings are worth a try (and will last longer than ally), non ramped/pinned outer rings might be a bit cheaper, but some rings last better than others (Shimano used not to wear that well but that may not be the case nowadays).

What state's the cassette and chain in ? Unless (or even if) I run a few chains in rotation, by the time I need a new chain then the cassette's already worn and I need to change both cassette and chain (and quite often the front rings too - tho' I've just put a new cassette/chain on my Orange and the front doesn't seem to be skipping)

 

[jifdave]

I just put a new cassette and chain on and it's still skipping.

http://www.cyclebasket.com/m9b14s32...0_Chainset_42-32-22T_ATB_OCTALINK_/RS_GB/5653 would this swap straight in?

 

[henshaw11]

Ah, ISWYM

Beats me what they fit :P - but after a brief search:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/hardrock-sport-disc-2010-mountain-bike-ec019399
- so yes, it looks like it's an octalink bottom bracket fitted, and so the crankset you've suggested ought to fit. (Mebbe worth a bit of inspection or pulling the old chainset off to make sure)