SRAM Direct Mount X-SYNC Chainring (42T)
You’re looking at a 1x chainring designed to pair perfectly with your Rival crank arms. This is essentially the
SRAM X-SYNC Direct Mount Chainring 42T 12/13-speed.
What this is (simple)
- A single front chainring (1x setup)
- Mounts directly to your 8-bolt SRAM crank
- Designed for road / gravel / all-road riding
This + your Rival crank arms = a complete 1x crankset
Key specs explained
-
Size: 42T (teeth)
-
Mount: Direct Mount (no BCD needed)
-
Speeds: 12 / 13-speed compatible
-
Material: Aluminum
-
Offset: 6.5 mm
-
Tech: X-SYNC (narrow-wide teeth)
What the features actually mean
X-SYNC (narrow-wide teeth)
- Alternating tooth profile grips the chain better
- Helps prevent chain drops
No front derailleur needed → cleaner setup
⚙️ X-Range gearing
- Designed for SRAM AXS cassettes
- Gives:
- Smaller jumps between gears
- Wide overall range
You stay in the “right cadence” more often
Direct Mount (DM)
- Bolts straight onto your crank (8-bolt interface)
- Easier to:
- Swap sizes (e.g. 40T → 44T)
- Upgrade later
Is 42T the right size?
Good for:
- Gravel riding
- Mixed terrain
- Climbing + flats balance
- Riders using wide cassettes (e.g. 10–36, 10–44)
Might not suit if:
- You ride mostly fast road → consider 44T–48T
- You ride very steep terrain → consider 38T–40T
⚖️ How it fits your setup
With your:
-
Rival 165mm crank arms (8-bolt) ✅
- This 42T DM chainring ✅
You now have:
✔ A complete 1x drivetrain front end
Just add:
- Cassette
- Chain
- Rear derailleur
Real-world gearing example
With a typical SRAM cassette:
-
42T + 10–36 cassette
- Fast enough for road
- Still climbs well
-
42T + 10–44 cassette
- More gravel-focused
- Easier climbing
Pros
- Excellent chain retention (no drops)
- Clean 1x simplicity
- Easy to swap sizes
- Durable finish (laser-etched)
Cons
- No front shifting (less total gear range vs 2x)
- Gear jumps can feel bigger than 2x systems
- You must choose size carefully
Bottom line
This 42T X-SYNC chainring is a great all-round choice—especially for gravel or mixed riding. It pairs perfectly with your Rival crank arms to create a simple, reliable 1x drivetrain.
Quick pairing summary
- Crank: ✔ SRAM Rival E1 DUB (165mm)
- Chainring: ✔ 42T X-SYNC DM
- Setup: ???? 1x AXS drivetrain ready
