Hybrid Bicycles - Trek 7300 crankset upgrade

Hi,

I have a 2008 Trek 7300 that has about 3000 miles on it. The OEM crankset is a low end Shimano M191 that is beginning to showing signs of wear on the middle chain ring. It's not completely shot but doesn't have too much life. The chain rings on this crankset cannot be replaced so I'll have to replace the whole thing. The M191 can be replaced for only about $25 but that one would probably wear out pretty quickly too.

I'd like to upgrade the crankset and keep the rest of the OEM components for now, upgrading them each as they wear out.

I'm am looking to see if anyone has any suggestions.

Have you replaced the chain.
That is very early for a chain ring to wear out.

I haven't replaced the chain yet but plan to very soon. Although I do keep the chain fairly clean and lubed I'll probably start replacing it yearly, chains are pretty cheap.

The chain ring isn't worn to the point where the chain skips but the wear is evident. I do ride in the winter with salty sand on wet, snowy roads, etc. and have ridden on plenty of unpaved roads too so maybe all of that contributed to the premature wear (it could also be that $25 cranksets just aren't all that durable). Whatever the reason I'm pretty convinced it will need replacing in the near future.

The Sugino XD600 is a nice crank. It's square taper so it will fit a Trek 7--- BB. The only difference is it's 46/36/26 instead of 48/38/28 but there are few (if any) options I know of in a 48/38/28 that aren't the cheapo M191.