Hey - this is kind of a nitpicky question, but I wanted to see what you guys thought. I got my new Sugino 75 crankset in the mail today (taken new off a Bianchi Pista Concept and won on eBay by me) and they look great. They've definitely never been used. BUT, (of course there's a but) I noticed a set of nicks on one of the teeth on the chainring. They're like very small gashes, almost like a tiny animal took its claw and ran it against the tooth. It's made it so that the metal sort of juts out a little bit from the edge of the tooth instead of being flush with the rest of it like it should be. We're not talking big time here... probably like micrometers.
Should I try to file the tooth down a little bit before I throw it the bike or should I just leave it be and see if the chain naturally does the work? I guess my fear is that the chain won't run over that specific tooth as well as it could. It's probably fine. Just one of those little things that nags you when you something new isn't as perfect as you want it to be.

If it were to be between filing it and trying to get the chain to wear it, I'd go with filing it. If it's "micrometers", the chain may not get it, and they may weaken the links that hit that tooth after time.

I'd just ride it. I think the chain-wear issue is sort of silly, if these scratches are as small as they sound - especially because aluminum is so much softer than hardened-steel chains.

Do some very very very gentle filing. If it's really micrometers, try some fine sandpaper.

Just ride your bike around the block then you wont be able to tell which scratches were there before, and which ones you put on yourself.

Is that like ghost-riding a new bike so you don't worry when you've scratched it later?

you can see micrometers?

Those one micron depth scratches drive me nuts! That's why I only use chainrings manufactured by NASA. It may cost me 245,000$ to have them make me one, but I'm assured that its PERFECT. Plus, for an extra 10$, they'll powder coat it any color you want.

peace,
sam

yes. micrometers was an exaggeration. the nicks are very visible, even from a distance.

This is kind of obnoxious. I think when anyone buys something new, they don't want it to be flawed. I don't want a tooth on my chainring to have sharp little, jagged points jutting out of it and neither would you, I think. I was asking for opinions on how to remedy the matter, not wise ass comments, thanks.

Easy, tiger, it was just a joke.

I think you've already gotten your answer. Gently file them down if you think its a problem, or take it up with the seller if you think its truely defective.

With little things like this a picture is worth a thousand words, so the quality of your replies may vary.

peace,
sam

sorry sam. sometimes being in my cube all jacked up on coffee makes me a little crazy (and sensitive). i knew you were joking. sorry to overreact. anyhow, i showed it to a couple of engineers i work with and they said to leave it alone. The chain will wear the problem down by itself after a few miles. i think i'll take that advice.
J

no worries, I'm in my anti-productivity pod as well. Unfortunately, our coffee machine is broken, so activity has slown to a crawl. (Is slown a word? I don't know, since I haven't had my caffeine).

peace,
sam

Tiny scratches are no big deal. But in this case it does sound like the chainring has been used and the force of the chain has caused the leading edge of the tooth to mushroom a bit - hence metal jutting out a bit toward the sides. This is totally normal wear. By Sugino chainring has this slight mushroom effect after 300mi of heavy use. Either you are gona cause it to mushroom (more likely with higher ratio and hard riding) or you buy it that way

Al