Now that Shimano GRX upgrades to 12-speed, Easton machines new aftermarket direct mount 1x gravel chainrings to fit their own cranksets. Pairing a new Easton 1x ring to their lightweight & versatile EC90 SL carbon or EA90 alloy cranks is likely to be one of the lightest, as well as best-looking cranksets to pair with a new custom GRX 12sp bike build…
Easton DM 1x chainrings for Shimano 12-speed HyperGlide+
A peculiarity of Shimano’s 12-speed road, gravel & mountain bike drivetrains is the HyperGlide+ chain. These are not compatible with previously universal narrow-wide chainring tooth profiles. The reason is the extension of the chamfer on the end of inner chain plates beyond the rollers.
We’ve seen Shimano-specific 1x rings for MTB in the years since XTR M9100’s debut. But since the new GRX is the first 12-speed Shimano road/gravel group specifically designed for 1x drivetrains, there hasn’t yet been a glut of narrow-wide chainring options for dropbar Shimano 12-speed bikes.
Tech details
Easton CNC-machines these new Direct Mount Shimano 12-speed chainrings from EA90 aluminum. And they get a 47mm chainline on Easton Cinch cranks. They are lightweight and available from 36-44T optimized for gravel riding, e.g. with a claimed weight of 90g for a 40T ring. Combine them with some $445 EC90 SL carbon cranks for a total crankset weight claim of just 442g (172.5mm arms plus a 40T ring, without a BB). Or pair to $125 aluminum EA90 arms for a more affordable setup that still weighs just 622g (claimed 172.5mm, 40T, no BB).
Easton DM 12 chainrings – Pricing, Options & Compatibility
The new Easton Direct Mount SHI 12 SPD chainrings retail for $85. The 12-speed Shimano rings come in 36, 38, 40, 42 & 44-tooth variants, with claimed weight of 90g (40T).
Easton DM rings are compatible with Cinch System cranks. That then explicitly includes Easton’s own EC90 SL & EA90 cranks, but also RaceFace cranks with their resulting MTB chainlines. The new rings are also compatible with all Shimano 12-speed groupsets for road, gravel, and mountain bike drivetrains.
Easton machines new direct mount 1x gravel chainrings for Shimano 12-speed road & gravel groups – i.e. from GRX & 105 to Dura-Ace…
