I've never replaced the smaller chain ring on any bike I've owned as I so seldom use it. But I have replaced the larger chain rings with all kinds of different brands. So long as the BCD and number of teeth as well as the bolt hole style has been the same, they've worked fine and shifted fine. I haven't tried any of the really cheap Chinese ones yet, but I plan on trying one next time I need a CR just to see how they stack up. I'm expecting they'll be like their no-name chains and not last but a few hundred miles.