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?

Weird. I've worn out chainrings, and they tend to develop a sharks-fin shape, not the extra trough. If that's a worn chainring, someone's done an excellent job of cleaning it up and smoothing out any burrs.

"I dunno. Let's operate and find out."

not my area of expertise (is there any?), but it looks fine. i wouldn't worry about it.

That is the "root" of the sprocket tooth, and it sure looks mis-machined, not worn. Is it exactly identical on all teeth?
It is amazing, if that is wear, that there is not more wear on the sides.
There is no downside of mounting it and trying it, maybe it will run ok.

Looks more like manufacturing irregularities than wear I'd say. I think that one slipped past QC.
Edit: looks like Mr Newton beat me to 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.

That is bizarre, it does look like it has been used, but that is just plain weird. I would also run it , I think it should work okay. I really don't think it will slip, but it might not shift very well.

I am not sure hoe it got that way but I don't thing it will work. I think the troughs are too wide to allow the chain to lay in them for the 180d wrap.

Let us know how it works

Thanks for the input everybody. The troughs / roots are identical for every tooth, so I'm leaning toward the suggestions that it's a manufacturing defect. Maybe it was made after a lunch break with a little too much wine at the TA plant?

The chainring is used (it came on a different used bike) but it wasn't stock on that bike and other than this strange issue it looks to be like new. That little mark in the photo next to the C is dust, there are also a few grease/chain dirt smudges on it that wiped of easily.

On closer inspection, it looks like there's only one way to mount it since the bolt holes are recessed on one side. I'll try mounting it over the next week or two and let everyone know how it goes.