Chain rings - speed specific?

[Blue Hills]

A quick possibly stupid question.

I need to put a new chainring on a bike.

It only has one - no complications about double or triple.

The bike runs a 7/8 speed chain and has to because of 7 speed cassette and gear shifter.

Will any chainring with requisite number of mounting points, teeth and correct BCD be OK?

ie: are chainrings different for different speeds/chain dimensions or are they all equally suitable?

 

[HLaB]

They are labled that way (spd specific) so I guess it matters but I think as long as you get a narrower speed (7/8 or more) it'll be OK but get a second opinion first.

 

[TheDoctor]

I've used 10 speed rings with 8 speed chain - they're fine.
I also use 9 speed rings with 10 speed chain and that seems to work too.

 

[Blue Hills]

ah, thanks, how can I doubt the word of a doctor.

though not sure about your tagline/relevance to bike bits advice

off to check your profile

i may be a while

 

[TheDoctor]

That tagline will become somewhat irrelevant once I change my avatar

 

[Blue Hills]

ok