Replacing MTB Chainring

[Pot Odds]

Need to replace outer chainring on MTB (its mainly country lane use and canal path so has had lots of use).

I currently have a Truvative Firex 3.1 GXP 44,32,22T chainset / cranks so I know I need a 44T ring. Outer ring is labelled Trushift AL-7075-T6.

I am however less clear whether there are incompatablities between brands of chainring or indeed chains. I'll be replacing my chain with a SRAM PC 971 (previously shimano) and cassette with a SRAM PG950 11-32 (same as original). Also is there any biggie between material types for chainrings - current one I believe is AL which seem expensive to replace wheras steel is cheaper.

I had been looking at this on the bay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291003387742?ssPageName=...

Im not looking to break the bank as its only a 2010 boardman comp which i now use occasionally in summer (recent road bike convert) and as my winter bike.

Any feedback welcome or links to suitable rings

Thanks

PO

[gazza285]

Shimano and Sram are interchangeable, for a winter hack steel rings are more than acceptable and last much longer than aluminium ones. Three new rings for that price are more than acceptable.

[Justin S]

As long as the pcd is the same, the steel one will bolt on. The AL 7075 is the material it is made of. Steel will have the more or less same wear rate as the alloy one.

[gazza285]

Justin S said:

As long as the pcd is the same, the steel one will bolt on. The AL 7075 is the material it is made of. Steel will have the more or less same wear rate as the alloy one.

Steel will outlast aluminium by a large margin, ally is much softer.

[Pot Odds]

Thanks for the replies so far,

So will pretty much any brand of 44t chainring fit on my Truvativ Firex crank so long as it has the corresponding BCD (probably 104 but to be checked)& compatible with 9spd.

May only be replacing outer chainring and leave middle and inner - do I need to brand match outer with inners or are they again interchangable.

Cheers