What Our Gearhead(R) Experts Are Saying: "I've run this chainring on a gravel setup that sees plenty of washboard and chunky backroads, and chain retention has been spot on. The tooth profiling feels noticeably quieter and more secure under load, especially when you're mashing out of the saddle. It's an easy upgrade if you want confidence from a 1X drivetrain without adding complexity."We trust the Race Face Direct Mount 1X Chainring when our rides blur the line between smooth pavement and rough gravel. Designed for modern 1X drivetrains, this chainring delivers dependable engagement when terrain gets unpredictable, keeping our focus on the ride instead of worrying about dropped chains. From fast CX laps to all-day gravel missions, it brings a clean, efficient feel to every pedal stroke. Race Face refines the narrow-wide tooth profile with a directional design optimized specifically for SRAM Flattop 12-speed chains. This creates more positive roller engagement and improved chain retention over rough terrain. The direct mount interface keeps weight down and stiffness high, while multiple tooth count options let us dial in gearing for everything from punchy climbs to high-speed efforts.