K-edge cuts a lot of metal away from theirs, and if all you can find is black anodized, will you die of shame?
might be $40, they do color anodizing ..
You can take an old chainring and an hour with a file and take worn teeth off (wouldn't cut down new ones )
yes some companies mold plastic ones shimano sells the whole crankset
(your LBS may have some from old bikes, not sold separately,
[wont fit unless the chainrings were made for it to be there in the first place. ]
now in 130bcd Brompton makes a single chainring and a snap on plastic chainguard
in 44,50 & 54t
(and it stands to reason that a part that's effectively a chainring without teeth, and thus much more generous tolerances,
would be cheaper than a chainring)
except that the big factory has one machine, fully automated, is just making the same part all week long.
and another one making another part, repeatedly ..
Another sort, heres a link from someone else's [UK] post .. fits in the centre ..
http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/st...egoryId_212653