When a chain ring doesn’t work with Shimano 12 speed, what does that look like?

Odd question I know but here goes.

I’ve got a new bike coming soon which runs a 12 speed Hyperglide Plus cassette and chain.

I also have a couple of XTR chains that I’m stripping ready for hot melt waxing.

I also want to swap the cranks on the new bike for something shorter. I have a suitable crank in the spares room but I’m just trying to work out if I can find a chain rung for it.

So, if a chain ring DOESN’T work with a Shimano 12 speed chain, what does that look like? Can I offer up one of these chains to a chain ring and see if it sits smoothly?

Not sure exactly, but I’d assume the chain won’t sit down nicely on the teeth. The 12 speed Shimano chains have a smaller space inside them. Quite a few brands make a Shimano 12 speed compatible chainring – I have one from Northshore Billet – it was sram crank direct fitment but 12 speed Shimano comparable teeth. Worked ok.

Although I prefer to use a decent sram or kmc chain over the Shimano 12 speed chains. They are quieter when it gets wet and mucky – the proper Shimano ones get very noisy as soon as they get wet / gritty.

Having had a chainring that claims to be shimano 12s compatible but isn’t, I know what it looks/sounds/feels like.

When you pedal, the chain will noticably stay on the ring for longer, no smooth disengagement from the lower side of the sprocket here. It was holding onto the chain for at least 1-2 teeth per rotation more than my shimano chainring. This is more noticable at the extremes of the cassette. It will also be noticably louder in general operation and with that will be much more sensitive to muck and dust.

Had this from one popular UK brand and went back to Shimano rings. THe bling just did not justify the drop in performance.

Cheers. I’m got an old, hardly used Superstar chainring. The clean dry Shimano chain wraps around the ring without issue and doesn’t seem to stick to the teeth at all.

I think Superstar  claimed their rings work with Shimano 12 speed