What would you recommend? I would like to be able to justify buying something like a Middleburn, but my SS is my second bike and I can't stretch to much more than a oner. Would you buy the arms/BB and then get a SS-specific chainring separately, or are there cheap SS sets out there?

2nd hand middleburn

XT and flog the rings.

I guess it's not as important to have a specific SS chainring at the front, as it is to have one at the back? I fitted a Gusset rear cog and the chain stays on now. I've not had problems with a standard chainring on the front.

I run Deore with a Surly or On-One chainring.

2nd hand middleburn on Shimano square BB

I'd have a look on Chainreaction – some cheap single ring cranks on there currently.

XT and flog the rings.

Or even SLX and flog the rings… It's about £30 cheaper for only 20g more weight!

Either way, you'll get a much better setup than anything else approaching the price to be fair…

White Industries used or add a little more for new.

Seconded on the SLX, it's a fantastic crank and is now on my newly built iO!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=34261

£15, re-use the 32t middle ring. Job done.