SRAM debuts its own direct mount X-Sync chainring

Since the boom of single chainring drivetrains and the narrow/wide chainrings that followed, one item has been notably absent from bike shop shelves. SRAM’s high-end cranksets have long been equipped with a removable spider, but even with the introduction of the latest XX1 and XO1 groups, they retained traditional bolt-on chainrings.

The aftermarket has filled the void with chainrings that bolt directly to the arm, with options from Wolftooth, Absolute Black, MRP, North Shore Billet and others. Now SRAM has jumped in with its own direct mount chainrings featuring the X-Sync narrow/wide tooth pattern.

The fully CNC’d chainrings are lighter than the spidered versions, and simpler to install or remove. They are compatible with all 11-speed XX1, XO1 and X1-1400 crankarms with GXP or BB30 spindles. The aftermarket versions of those cranksets will now ship with with the direct mount chainrings. SRAM also confirmed they will work with some 10-speed SRAM crankarms with removable spiders.

The X-Sync chainrings profile is the original narrow/wide design, with tall, square teeth that engage the chain earlier and alternating, 3D tooth profiles to keep it in place.

The chainrings will be available in 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 and 40-tooth versions with weights ranging from 60 to 106 grams depending on size. The 30, 32 and 34 will be available in December, with the others following in April 2015.

MSRP for the 30, 32 and 34 is $99.