Round chainrings are standard because, well, they're standard, but they don't actually match the changing power output of your legs through a pedal stroke. Absolute Black's SRAM Oval Chainring's oblong shape makes pedaling easier in hard spots and steadier in easy spots, so you can keep a constant and smooth cadence without having to deal with dead up-strokes and leg-crushing down-strokes. This makes it easier to nail down the highly efficient circular pedaling motion that's we're all after, and improves traction by eliminating the wheel slip that happens during hard down-strokes on loose terrain.Oval chainring for SRAM direct-mount mountain cranksetsOval shape optimizes your pedal stroke and boosts tractionNarrow-wide tooth profile provides excellent chain retentionMachined from high-grade aluminum for high strength-to-weight3D teeth machining sheds med and decreases wear Works with 10, 11, and 12-speed drivetrains