Chainring off a ufo?
 

i was going to put this in the 'what logo is this?' thread, but maybe it should have it's own:

i want to replace the outer chainring and due to to that 'model' being discontinued i am looking at used parts. i found one, perfect fit, bcd right, number of correct teeth, no name on it.

was allllllllllllllll excited, put it on and went for a test ride nearly ending in injury. the chain was a-hoppin' up 'n' down the back gears and finally seized. chain and cassette are new.

hobbled home (short distance) and assessed what i had done. compared old/new rings, looked the same- until i looked at the teeth. the 'new' rings teeth were a half-space off.
they showed in between the old rings teeth. i even turned the 'new' one around, thinking maybe it had a different orientation. nope, still a half-space off. AND the indicator that goes behind the right crank arm was correct, too.

are rings supposed to be set to a standard?

A picture of the specific chainring and one of the entire drivetrain would be very helpful.

i agree, but i have no digicam or real camera. thanks for the idea, though. a neighbor's daughter has one. will hit her up.
ya know, i am gonna look like an eternal fool if it turns out to be the middle chainring! is 42 teeth workable for middle, too?