Originally Posted by
Eggman84
Sorry about the links not working. I need to make sure they work before posting links in the future. As to your current crankset (FC-M530), it came in 2 configurations, 44-32-22T and 48T-36T-26T. You can't get any lower than 22T small chainring. If you have the "larger" configuration, you could change just the 26T inner with a 22T and not notice much if any difference, other than the lower gearing. These are standard 104/64 mm BCD 4 arm cranks so chainrings are still readily available (about $8 for an alloy 22T, $11 for a steel 22T). As to the rubbing in large large- other than annoying, how often are you in that combination? Could save a lot of money not buying anything if you realistically never use that combo (except downhill with a tail wind).
I have the 48-36-26T chainring. The rubbing would restrict me from only the two heaviest gear combinations. Admittedly they're not mandatory. I live in very hilly terrain and spend most my time climbing with equal amounts of downhill. It just means I'll spend a lot of that downhill time coasting. I was unaware I could change the granny gear only without throwing off my shifting. In that case I would definitely keep my crankset and just change the granny to 22T. I'm quite happy with the 36T middle. I think I'll look into the 22T chainring for now and pick up a more compatible FD when the opportunity presents itself.
As for the chainring, aluminium or steel? $3 difference is irrelevant price-wise. Any reason to go aluminium over steel besides a marginal amount of weight?