Need New Outer Chainring, Advice Anyone?!?!

[Max Phillips]

so thanks to the cliche college party, my 53t chainring looks like a potato chip. One shop tried fixing it (I didn't find out it was bent until I arrived at a race) but to no avail. Now I'm in the market for a new outer chainring. It's going on a Trek 5000 with the stock drivetrain, so Bontrager Race Lite crankset (double).

What kind of chainring should I look for? Also, what gearing. While there are some hills where I ride in Indiana, I have no problem climbing most of them with a 53/19 gearing or lower, so I was highly considered buying a 56t chainring.

Any suggestions or warnings towards certain sizes/brands?

Also, if I were to purchase a 56 rather than a 53, would my front deraileur need adjusted?

Thanks in advance

[Xsmoker]

so thanks to the cliche college party, my 53t chainring looks like a potato chip. One shop tried fixing it (I didn't find out it was bent until I arrived at a race) but to no avail. Now I'm in the market for a new outer chainring. It's going on a Trek 5000 with the stock drivetrain, so Bontrager Race Lite crankset (double).

What kind of chainring should I look for? Also, what gearing. While there are some hills where I ride in Indiana, I have no problem climbing most of them with a 53/19 gearing or lower, so I was highly considered buying a 56t chainring.

Any suggestions or warnings towards certain sizes/brands?

Also, if I were to purchase a 56 rather than a 53, would my front deraileur need adjusted?

Thanks in advance

56t?? maybe if you were a time trialer. You should try and get OEM ring. Chain rings are designed to work as a pair for optimal shifting.