AbsoluteBlack has a ton of new chainrings to fit everything from FSA to SRAM to Shimano to almost any standard 110/4 or 110/5 bolt crankset. The options are 1x and 2x, full size and sub-compact. Shown above are the new Oval Premium for FSA ABS 4/5 bolt cranks, a product whose design hid a fifth chainring bolt behind the crank arm, a position that didn’t actually handle much of the torque load. So, AbsoluteBlack simply removed that position, and you can mount these to any FSA ABS model including Gossamer, SL-K and K-Force Light. They’ll come in 34/36/38/39 small rings and 50/52/53 large rings. Retail from €53.99 to €104.99.
In a bit of a break from their oval love affair, they’ve added round road chainrings for Shimano 11-speed cranks with the asymmetric 4-bolt mounting pattern. Same size options as for FSA models, retail from €43.95 to €89.95, potentially making them a more affordable replacement option than stock rings.
Got an older SRAM or Shimano crankset using a 110/4 or 110/5 bolt pattern? Turn that into your new gravel or adventure road bike with these sub-compact chainring combos. They’ll fit older Shimano 10-speed cranks or SRAM cranks with the hidden fifth-bolt. They’re sold individually but designed to work as a pair. Sizes are 32t (32g for ring, sold for €82 with mounting bolts) and 48t (115g, €105).
If your gravel bike wants to be a 1x but still relies on older cranks, the new Gravel 1x Oval chainrings have distinct options for both 110/5 and 110/4 BCD cranks. They’re basically a size expansion of their CX oval chainrings, adding 44/46/48/50 tooth options. Prices from €78.95 to €95.95, weights from 80g to 100g. They come with mounting bolts, too.
All of AbsoluteBlack’s 1x chainrings use their narrow-wide tooth patterns and in our experience do a good job of keeping the chain in place when paired with a clutched rear derailleur.
Finishing off the line of new non-direct mount chainring offerings are these CX 1x Oval chainrings for 110/5 BCD. They’re available in 38/40/42 tooth counts and retail for €69.95 each. They also ship with chainring bolts and have been redesigned with threaded bolt holes to make them easier to mount…no more nut and bolt, just thread the bolts directly into the chainring for easier installs and no special tools. Same for the Gravel chainrings, and both versions have the appropriate offset to allow this mounting design, putting the chainline within 1mm of the original (aka Shimano’s optimal published) chainline.
They also make silicone grips, and now they have new color options. They have a 33mm diameter, weigh 70g, and run €70.