a_elephant

Is BCD the *only* determinant of chainring/crank compatibility?

I'd like to buy a new chainring for my bike. The current one is 130 BCD, 3/32. Will *any* 130 BCD, 3/32 chainring fit?

This is for a fixed gear, so I know chainline can be an issue. AFAIK chainrings don't alter chainline, excepting for inside or outside attachment to the crank arm. Let me know if there's something else I need to think about here.

Thanks!

Jeff Wills

For SS/FG use, you should be OK. With some crankarms & chainrings there can be issues with spacing and orientation between rings, but most of those can be compensated for with spacer washers.

Mondoman

Perhaps the number of mounting holes?

operator

I've yet to see a non 5-bolt 130bcd chainring.

operator

For a singlespeed crankset, in your situation any 130bcd 3/32 will work. Including all 8/9/10 speed "shimano compatible" rings and any "single speed" chainrings. Rocket rings etc. et al. Some of the cheaper chainrings *may* not fit properly even though they are the same bcd as your crank.

Doesn't happen very often but something to watch out for.

operator

I can't think of a single situation where you would need chainring bolt spacers to fit a proper bcd chainring on a crank. The more you space out a chainring (this is only necessary to "fix" chainline the improper way), the greater chance you have of suiciding the ring under load. I've seen it happen.