Originally Posted by
mainstreetexile
I have this 41 tooth 144 bcd Specialites TA (just realized I've been saying the wrong name, Specialties, for a long time) chainring that I'm hoping to use on a Nuovo Record crankset to lower the gearing a bit from the current 44 small ring.
However, when I was just getting ready to swap it on, I noticed what looks like it may be a strange wear pattern:
The teeth look like they're brand new but the 'trough' area (no idea about the correct terminology for the low area between the teeth) looks like it's worn down on one side, I'm assuming it's not supposed to look like that. Is this too bad to use? Should I just flip it around the other way, mount it so that the chain applies force to the higher / unworn side of the trough, and ride it without worrying about it?
I'm in the "someone cleaned it up to usable condition" camp. I see what looks like a tiny metal fatigue crack in the "valley" just to the left of the "C" in C-144. I'd use it until the teeth "Sharkfin", it slips, or other major damage reveals itself, whichever comes first.