Oval chainring brand, AbsoluteBLACK, has released new rings for Easton’s EC90SL crankset and Shimano’s latest Dura-Ace and Ultegra groups. Similar to their Sram direct mount for cyclocross, and SRAM and Cannondale SISL for mountain, the Easton rings will be a single ring set up. The Shimano rings will be available in compact, semi-compact, and full size road gearing.
The UK brand’s latest offerings continues to expand their line up to cover oval chainrings for many of the major chainring mounting standards. The CNC’d aluminum chain rings have been tested and developed with an ovalization and a position that helps improve traction on loose surfaces and help improve climbing. We’ve been riding AbsoluteBLACK rings on our road, cross, and mount bikes here at the East Coast service course, and have been extremely happy with them so far. We definitely can feel the difference over round rings, but we’ll have more on that in the future.
Easton made a splash with their first crankset in five years. The EC90 SL crank has a modular design that allows you to swap between 1x and 2x set ups, both of which use a direct mount system. Since Easton and Race Face are now sister brands, and the EC90 SL was developed from Race Face’s Next SL crank, the Easton rings will also work on the Race Face Cinch cranks, and are Eagle 12 speed compatible. AbsoluteBLACK’s new rings will cover cyclocross and gravel, with sizes available from 38 to 48 in two tooth increments. The CNC’d 7075 aluminum rings will be available in black and red anodized colors. Pricing runs from $84.99 for the 38 to $99.95 for the 48.
With the changes to the new Shimano group sets, the older 6800/9000 rings would not mount to the new R8000/R9100 cranks. By reshaping the mounting tabs, the new rings will fit just as well as the stock Shimano rings, especially when fitted with the R8000/R9100 bolt covers. And yes, both the rings and the Premium Bolt Covers are available in Dura-Ace black, and Ultegra dark grey. If you want to add a little bling to your bike, the rings are also available in a champaign gold color. The rings are available and optimized for the following combinations, 50/34, 52/36, 52/38, 53/39T. Inner rings will set you back $61.95, outers are $124.00
The Easton rings are currently available in 38T on AbsoluteBlack’s site, with all other sizes available as a preorder that is scheduled to ship shortly after the new year. All of the Shimano R9100/R8000 rings and bolt covers are available as a preorder, and are also scheduled to ship shortly after the new year.
http://www.absoluteblack.cc
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