If you choose to go with a single-ring cyclocross, road, or time-trial gear system, youll need at least one dedicated 1x chainring, if not more. SRAMs X-Sync Chainring works with all single-ring road systems, but is designed specifically to work with SRAMs 1x road systems

You may think that single-ring setups just take one ring from a double-ring crank and that youll need a chain guide to keep the chain on the ring. With X-SYNC, theres no need for any secondary retention system because the ring is designed for the chain never to shift off this one ring. The key is a unique tooth profile. The teeth themselves are taller than youll find on shiftable chainrings. The tops of these teeth are also squared, rather than triangular. And then SRAM goes farther. The base of the teeth has been engineered to possess mud-clearing recesses. They created a unique wide-narrow alternating tooth pattern which lines up with the inner and outer cage plates on the chain.

The tooth pattern synchronizes with the chain. They recommend their standard eleven- and ten-speed chains. The chainring teeth and recesses have been designed with this chain in mind.

SRAM offers two different bolt circle diameters, 110mm and 130mm. The 110 works with X-SYNC chainrings of 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, and 50 teeth. The 130 works with 52 and 54 teeth. The single chainring is offset toward the bottom bracket, which is another difference between X-SYNC and a ring designed for front derailleurs.

These rings are designed to mount on five-arm cranks that also work with two chainrings. You mount the ring in place of the big ring.

The Force 1 X-SYNC Chainring is how you customize your single ring drivetrain for your riding needs and strengths.