So I've got a
2006 Trek 7.5 FX that's mostly stock, including the original Bontrager-branded crankset (48/36/26). I've recently come to the conclusion that I need more climbing gear than the 26t can give me, even with an 11-34 in back. So I'm looking at what it would take to replace it with something like a 44/32/22 or thereabouts. The rest of the drivetrain is a 9-speed system, with Deore LX deraileurs and shifters.
I've done some digging around, and it looks like there are some options, but I've always been bewildered by the myriad product lines from each company. I've compiled a list of what seems to be generally available (and inexpensive)...no need to spend $$$ on an old bike. I'm hoping somebody out in Bike Forums land can tell me what I can rely on and what I should avoid (especially once I go away from Shimano or SRAM). Or if everything at this price point is pretty much the same. Looking keep the total cost below $100 (including shop labor if I need it, e.g. specialty tools). I'm shopping in the USA, so for this price point, I'm not sure EU vendors would make any sense, given what shipping will cost.
So here's the list:
SRAM S600 44/32/22
Shimano FC-M361 (Acera) 44/32/22
Shimano FC-MT300 (Acera) 44/32/22
Shimano FC-M430 (Alivio) 44/32/22
Shimano FC-T4060 (Alivio) 44/32/22
Shimano FC-M590 (Deore) 44/32/22
Suntour XCC-T 42/32/22
Suntour XCM-T 44/32/22
Suntour XCT9-T 44/32/22
Sunrace FCM954 44/32/22
Sunrace FCM914 44/32/22
I've been trying to understand bottom brackets, too, and I don't even know where to start. Is it safe to assume that it has a certain type of bottom bracket without me having to start un-bolting parts?
Thanks for any help...