Hybrid cranksets / chainrings - Why so hard to find?

[Gixxerman]

Why is it so damn hard to find replacement cranksets / chainwheels for hybrids?
My Trek 7.3FX will soon need some new chainrings. So I either find some or a suitable crankset.
The original fitment was Shimano M361 48/38/28 with chainguard with a aquare section fitting and an 8 speed cassette. I would like to keep the chaingaurd, so one fitted with a chainguard would be preferable. The current chainguard is detachable, being held on by 3 screws through the large chainring, so it can be transferred to the new chainring provided that it has suitable holes. Or failing that, I can drill some holes in the new chainring to permit it to be fitted.
I have searched all the usual online places and you can get road sets or MTB sets. However the former are too high gearing and the latter too low. The orginal gearing was somewhere between the road and MTB offerings, which is kind of right as it is a hybrid. Do parts manufacturers not realise that hybrids exist?
I would like to keep the triple to avoid changing shifters and also want to keep the gearing somewhere close to where it is now as it is fine. The M361 is not the top of the range, and I would consider something better provided the cost isn't too high (don't really want to spend above £100).
Anybody any ideas where to find such a thing? It is like looking for a unicorn.

 

[lpretro1]

There seem to be plenty of cranksets available with 48-38-28t for square taper if you google it - some with the big ring guard too - this being one example http://www.parkersofbolton.co.uk/pr...O3SH4l4IVjKHX2ZquSJ4fEt7LC_E6DHfdEaAtuE8P8HAQ

 

[T4tomo]

Spa cycles possibly - they do a lot of touring bike stuff and individual chainrings.......

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b0s0p0

look in spa own brand and clearance section (depending on colour you get 1 or 2 of the rings for a bargain £6). I assume you just need to replace the chainrings not the whole crankset,
although might be almost as cheap if you do...
http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b0s109p3052 is a square taper fit

 

[MichaelW2]

Have you searched on Shimano Acera ?

 

[youngoldbloke]

Lots on ebay

 

[raleighnut]

The Alivio crank linked to is an octolink BB, if you're changing the type of BB I'd be tempted to go the whole hog and change to an external BB type like this Deore.

 

[Gixxerman]

The Alivio crank linked to is an octolink BB, if you're changing the type of BB I'd be tempted to go the whole hog and change to an external BB type like this Deore.

I did ponder replacing the BB too at the same time, as the BB of the 7.3 is believed to be weak. Saying that, mine is fine (kiss of death!), so I might just leave well alone. Ideally just changing the chainrings would be the minimum of effort. But there is no reason not to fit something better I suppose, if it works out about the same cost. Hmmmm.

 

[T4tomo]

A BB should last for years, pack of bit of grease in and leave well alone would be my advice. Square taper might be seen as a bit basic but it works and it's simple.

 

[Blue Hills]

Actually i have the impression that for general purpose cycling/touring, square taper is better.damn shimano for discontinuing the alivio square taper chainset. It was good, it worked, it was good value. Can't be having that can we?

 

[Ajax Bay]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shimano-Tou...r_1_1?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1453217943&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shimano-Tap...1_19?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1453217943&sr=1-19

 

[Blue Hills]

Yes, I know Ajax.

Those aren't Alivio.

Alivio was really nice - someone on seeing a new one fitted to my faithful old Ridgeback said it was a groupset for shopping bikes! Luckily I managed to buy two before it disappeared. I was in Brixton cycles a while ago and was told that one of the mechanics had also raged about Shimano discontinuing 8 speed Alivio square taper. So folks with way more knowledge and experience than me seem to agree.

 

[Tim Hall]

Yes, I know Ajax.

Those aren't Alivio.

Alivio was really nice - someone on seeing a new one fitted to my faithful old Ridgeback said it was a groupset for shopping bikes! Luckily I managed to buy two before it disappeared. I was in Brixton cycles a while ago and was told that one of the mechanics had also raged about Shimano discontinuing 8 speed Alivio square taper. So folks with way more knowledge and experience than me seem to agree.

Also not Alivio, Rosebikes have an Acera square taper triple. (Acera being above Altus, below Alivio in the foodchain).

 

[raleighnut]

How about a Stronglight one.

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...18493/&usg=AFQjCNGYglB3fqDB8Y-b2mQcWqZ_DoHP2g

 

[Ajax Bay]

Yes, I know Ajax. Those aren't Alivio

Sorry, what exactly do you know? I made some suggestions that seemed to meet your requirements: square taper, 48-38-28, chainguard, (much) less than £100.

You're not racing this bike, I assume you're not a weight-weenie, so is this a 'name on the crank' issue for you (in which case looks like you'll need to swap out the BB as well)?

@raleighnut 's one is less than £100 though doesn't have a chainguard.

 

[Blue Hills]

er, phew, I didn't think I was being nasty, wasn't trying to be superior, wasn't looking for an argument, just exchanging info. It's simply that once I find something I like and know which seems appropriate for purpose, I like to keep life simple by sticking with it. But the manufacturers seem to have other ideas. Might be an idea to do a bit of calming spinning.

Thanks for the links anyway.