What Our Gearhead(R) Experts Are Saying: "I use this when riders want a no-nonsense round ring that just works. Chain retention has been rock solid, setup is straightforward, and it feels exactly like a modern 1x drivetrain should on XT and SLX cranks."When trail days are about consistency and control, we want a drivetrain that disappears beneath us. The ROUND Premium Chainring for Shimano XT8000 / SLX M7000 is built for riders who prefer the familiar feel of a round ring paired with the reliability of a modern narrow-wide design. Designed by absoluteBLACK for Shimano's 96 BCD mountain cranksets, it delivers quiet performance across technical climbs, rolling singletrack, and long days on mixed terrain. Precision-machined from 7075 aluminum, the chainring balances low weight with the stiffness needed for hard accelerations and loaded climbing. Narrow-wide teeth keep the chain firmly in place without a guide, while the integrated standoff design ensures proper chainline across Boost and non-Boost bikes by relying on the crank spider rather than spacers. It's a straightforward upgrade for riders who value durability, simplicity, and predictable trail feel.