AbsoluteBlack’s Race Face CINCH compatible chainrings received a running change about five months ago to refine the chainline offset from 50.2mm to 49mm. Now there’s a fill Boost version as well with a 52mm chainline. Now they have Boost compatible direct mount ovals for these and SRAM cranks. For Shimano, the Boost offset change happens on the cranks, so their standard ovals will work there.
They’ve also added an oval narrow/wide chainring for Rotor cranks. Yes, that same Rotor that created the modern oval category. Why make them? AB’s founder says his distributors were asking for them because they needed something more affordable. AB says they’re also Eagle compatible, giving you the ability to run Rotor’s lightweight alloy crank sets wth a SRAM 12-speed MTB group.
Speaking of Eagle, they’ll have a new Gold anodized option for SRAM and Race Face direct mount ovals. And they’ll be adding a 36-tooth oval for Race Face in October…you’ll just need to check frame clearance since the longer part of the oval is essentially the same size as a 38-tooth.
The Oval 76BCD for rotor comes in a 32-tooth to start (49g, €67), with a 30 and 34 coming soon. The other chainrings mentioned above are about four weeks out.
The new Oval Bash Guide combines their bash guard and chain guide into one to create what they say is the lightest such component on the market. Weight is just 69g including the Ti hardware. €89 / $99, available now.
The Chain Catcher is another new one, coming in at 11g with an articulating design that adjusts 4mm to fit your bike setup. The rear of the mounting section is chamfered to fit the rounded front derailleur mounts, which makes it thin enough that you can use the original mounting hardware, no need for a longer bolt. €19.
Last up are new Ultegra / Dura-Ace bolt covers to keep a more factory look when running their road oval chainrings on Shimano’s top two cranksets (without them, it looks a little unfinished). Available in the same gray, black and red as their chainrings and chain catcher. 10g, €47.
