QUOTE (cultfreak @ Mar 20 2012, 11:06 PM)

how do you think nickel will hold up on a part like that?
Its a double edged sword really. True nickel tarnishes but it cleans up nicely...Aliby here; I found nickel finishes on firearms easy to care for and held up great in all weather. However, I haven't tried a greasy dirty chainring yet, so who knows? I believe if you're okay with a tarnish but cleaned look you'll be okay. Super shiney...not so much....mainly because of the grime...tarnish alone would be okay with the right chems.