Absolute BlackSRAM Oval Direct Mount Traction Chainring
Item # ABC0003
SRAM Oval Direct Mount Traction Chainring
Round chainrings are standard because, well, they're standard, but they don't actually match the changing power output of your legs through a pedal stroke. Absolute Black's SRAM Oval Chainring's oblong shape makes pedaling easier in hard spots and steadier in easy spots, so you can keep a constant and smooth cadence without having to deal with dead up-strokes and leg-crushing down-strokes. This makes it easier to nail down the highly efficient circular pedaling motion that's we're all after, and improves traction by eliminating the wheel slip that happens during hard down-strokes on loose terrain.
If you're going to make a killer chainring, you might as well pull out all the stops, so Absolute Black also machined this aluminum-alloy beauty with a narrow-wide tooth profile and 3D design that improves chain retention, sheds mud, and reduces wear and noise. It also engineered the Oval to mount directly to almost all SRAM cranksets, so you can eliminate the extra weight of a spider, which will be a boon to your quads when you're hammering up steep dirt and across fast sections of rolling singletrack.
Run the 0mm offset models with short spindle BB30 cranks and the 6mm offset with the standard BB30 spindle. The easiest way to identify which spindle you have is by checking the width of the spacer between the chainring and the bottom bracket shell. The short spindle has a 9mm spacer while the long or standard spindle has a 15mm spacer.
- Oval chainring for SRAM direct-mount mountain cranksets
- Oval shape optimizes your pedal stroke and boosts traction
- Narrow-wide tooth profile provides excellent chain retention
- Machined from high-grade aluminum for high strength-to-weight
- 3D teeth machining sheds med and decreases wear
- Works with 10, 11, and 12-speed drivetrains
- For BB30 cranksets choose 0mm offset for short spindle, 6mm offset for standard spindle
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What do you think about this product?
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March 21, 2020
It's like riding an e-bike
- Familiarity:
- I've put it through the wringer
Honestly bought these because I was looking for an 'engagement ring' alternative to buying a diamond. She loved it and as a bonus we both ride absolute black ovals on our Specialized epics & holy *)$% I didn't expect it to make a difference, but it's like riding an e-bike. Legs don't have any focal LA buildup on hard steep climbs, instead the whole leg gets fatigued evenly. Have crushed a lot of PR's on strava from swapping these out. My knees don't hurt or get sore after long hard rides, I"m faster and my bike has 'bling.' can't recommend these enough
Aubrey M.
October 23, 2019
Easier uphill
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
I bought the 28t oval to gear down my Santa Cruz Tallboy mountain bike from 32t round. This oval chainring makes it easier to go up steep hills and around switchbacks because it pedals through the dead space at top of stroke easily and puts the power in mid stroke where it does the most good. The only downside is when I am pedaling easy on flats, there can be a kind of ‘skip’ as it goes through the easy part. The solution in to shift to a higher gear or pedal harder to keep tension on the chain.
Daniel J.
September 25, 2019
I'm Hooked
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
Swapping over to the 1X took me a minute and was skeptical that I would be losing gears. Hearing the buzz out and about coming from some trusted riders decided to look it and pick out a ring. The quality is there, look and feel are dialed. I can feel a considerable difference in my strokes and the feeling of using my energy more efficiently. Don't think about it, I'm hooked!
Adam Robinson
September 23, 2019
Smooth it out
- Familiarity:
- I've put it through the wringer
This is my 2nd year on an oval ring and I am hooked. There is a noticeable difference the first ride, then your body adapts and is more efficient climbing. I've found my pedal stroke feels much smoother and consistent and in turn helps me save energy.
Perry Hall
September 23, 2019
Love it
- Familiarity:
- I've put it through the wringer
This chainring is great. The oval is a noticeable difference and took me a couple of rides to get used to. But whether you are on flats or clipless it makes for a pedal stroke that feels more consistent and equally powerful all the way around. If you are making some upgrades to your drivetrain you should add this to your list! I'll be sticking with the oval from here out.
Kevin Schaefer
September 17, 2019
Very Pleased
This is my second oval ring from absolute black. I am really stoked on how it performs in technical areas. I would highly recommend trying one. I will say it took a few rides to get used to the feel as it is a slightly different stroke to feel a totally normal cadence. And this only seems to be the case on flat-ish riding where I am about to max out whatever gear I am in from a cadence perspective. I am very pleased with this while I climb.
Tyler Thunell
July 17, 2019
Will SRAM Oval Direct Mount Traction Chainring work with Sram 11 speed chain
Leif Rasmussen
Tony Brandotti
October 2, 2019
Yes! They will work together perfectly. I do strongly suggest you use a higher end SRAM chain as they are more durable.
May 8, 2018
Is this chainring compatible with the SRAM Eagle drivetrains?
Cory A.
Matt Conn
May 11, 2018
Hey Cory, Thanks for the question! Yes, you can use this chain ring with Eagle drivetrain, however in order to achieve the optimal chain retention you will want to use the SRAM X-SYNC 2 EAGLE 12-SPEED DIRECT MOUNT CHAINRING. If you have any other questions feel free to contact me directly.
Tony Brandotti
October 2, 2019
Hey Cory. Yes, this chainring will work with SRAM Eagle. Make sure you use a new 12 speed chain when adding the new chainring to an existing drivetrain and be sure to check the rest of the drivetrain for wear as well. Tony from absoluteBLACK
June 5, 2017
Was a skeptic, now a believer!
- Familiarity:
- I've put it through the wringer
Oval chainrings really do work and this is one of the highest quality options out there. Really helps smooth out the climbs!
James Bleuer
June 28, 2016
Once you go oval...
- Familiarity:
- I've put it through the wringer
I love the oval. I was skeptical at first, but now I'm running oval on the hardtail and full squish. The direct mount is so clean and easy. 0 dropped chains, 0 shifting issues, just pedaling efficiency and mountains of PRs. I find myself able to keep my speed up better while climbing without burning myself out, and I feel just as fast, or faster on the way down. 1x drive chains just got even better.
Chase Skidmore
June 27, 2016
This is not your Grandma's Biopace
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
After deciding to drop a couple of teeth on my SRAM 1x11 I thought why not try the new oval chainrings so I ordered a 28t . I was impressed the minute I received it, well designed and easy to install. My first few minutes riding it felt different but not bad. Just got back from a week of riding at Lake Tahoe and I noticed that my pedal stoke feels more positive and since I like to spin I was able to maintain a higher cadence with less effort. It actually feels better than the standard round ring on my Camber 650b. Definitely 5 stars.
Gary D.
May 13, 2016
Bridges the Gap
I held on to my 2x10 drivetrain for a long time, mostly because I was afraid of losing my climbing gears. I tend to spin up climbs rather than hammer up them. When I finally decided to move to 1x11 I knew that an oval ring would be the answer to my concerns. The Oval Direct Mount Traction Chainring bridged the gap between 2x and 1x for me. I have a virtual climbing gear when I need it while still being able to enjoy all the advantages of going 1x. Not to mention the chainring is a virtual work of art.
Aaron Bender
April 24, 2016
Better than Expected
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
Added chainring to 1x10 set up, SRAM X0, Highball 29er. Pros : Traction is improved. Climbing seems easier, and I seem to produce more ummmphff when climbing. Pedal stroke is noticably smoother. Set a couple of PRs climbing the second time out. And...I want a other one for the double squishy 5010!
Daniel C.
Chris Chiodo
August 5, 2020
What made you decide on 28t vs 32t?