Shimano A-type 52-tooth chainring

Utts said:

My bike has the above-mentioned A-type 42-tooth chainring, on an early
Ultegra triple group.

The chainring has a chipped tooth, and I looked for a replacement.

All I can find is a B-type 52-tooth, or an A-type 53-tooth.

I don't think the 53-tooth works with my 42-tooth middle ring, and I wonder
whether the B-type 52-tooth will work: the tooth pattern looks very
different.

Can someone confirm whether this is the case? And, while we're at it: what's
the difference between A-type and B-type chainrings?

Thanks!!

Dear Utts,

Yes, the A and B types are slightly different.

No, the difference doesn't matter much, particularly after a little
riding has worn the teeth.

The same question came up recently:

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.bicycles.tech/browse_frm/thread/84fd86bb1b5ed65a/da01645153a18e7e?lnk=gst&q=%22shimano+road+chainring+question%22&rnum=1#da01645153a18e7e
or http://tinyurl.com/hccvd

Cheers,

Carl Fogel

Utts said:

My bike has the above-mentioned A-type 42-tooth chainring, on an early
Ultegra triple group.

The chainring has a chipped tooth, and I looked for a replacement.

All I can find is a B-type 52-tooth, or an A-type 53-tooth.

I don't think the 53-tooth works with my 42-tooth middle ring, and I wonder
whether the B-type 52-tooth will work: the tooth pattern looks very
different.

Can someone confirm whether this is the case? And, while we're at it: what's
the difference between A-type and B-type chainrings?

Thanks!!

Use any proper bolt diameter chainring, regardless of 'a' or 'b' or
even non shimano-it will work fine...