How to tell if chain ring is too worn?

[Dan_ator]

I am looking to upgrade the cranks and chainring (and bottom bracket while I’m at it) on my cheap steel-framed fixed-gear bike. I can’t afford a nice new chainring, so if I am buying used, how can I tell if the chain ring has too much wear? What am I looking for? Any guidance on this is much appreciated.

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[CCrew]

They start to look like shark fins…they pretty much lose their symmetric points.

https://www.google.com/search?q=worn+chainring+picture&hl=en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=dZ0VT7esEObY0QG544jyBg&ved=0CCMQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=777

[DSalovesh]

Hang a chain over the chainring. Tug on the chain at the top.

If it won’t come up much the chainring is good. If it comes up a little, not so much but it will probably work fine for a single cog rear if the tension is right.

If it comes up a lot the chainring is shot.

[Author]

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