In this article I will share my thoughts about The Mechanic Parts Direct Mount Chainring for Shimano Deore XT M8100 in a 3 mm offset version. The Mechanic Parts is a Dutch company that builds “high quality handcrafted chainrings” for Shimano and SRAM and in tons of sizes, single or double speed, and aero or non-aero options.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key features Mechanic Parts Direct Mount Chainring for Shimano Deore XT M8100
On the product page for The Mechanic Parts Direct Mount Chainring for Shimano Deore XT M8100 in a 3 mm offset or Boost version you can read the following description:
This durable chainring is specially designed for the direct mount interface of Shimano XTR FC-M9100 series, Shimano XT FC-M8100 series, Shimano SLX FC-M7100 series and Deore FC-M6100 series. The chainring has a 3mm offset which moves the chainring further inwards and is the standard for boost frames. Extremely suitable for mountain bikes!
The chainring has a narrow-wide tooth profile including mud grooves, with alternating narrow and wide teeth, which provides a better grip on the chain and better disperses mud/sand between the chain and the chainring, making the chain less likely to slip off the chainring.
Available in a round and oval version. Unsure if the product will fit? Download the size chart here.
First thing I did was getting my kitchen scales out of the drawer and weigh the direct mount chainring. It shows 83 grams, and with an amazing black anodized finish with very subtle silver laser engraving. It shows:
- The brand name “THE MECHANIC PARTS” (on the opposite part of the crank-arm drivetrain side)
- The size of the chainring and offset variation 34T-OFFEST3
- “NARROW-WIDE” reflecting that this is a 1x chainring using the narrow-wide tooth profile
The most striking design detail to me are the mud-grooves, that you will see as a line between two teeth. This should contribute to the better dispersion of mud and sand when riding in more challenging weather-conditions (we all recall the scenes from Unbound XL 2026).
Another important feature you don’t see is the use of 7075 T6 aluminium, the hardest most wear resistant aluminum. It contributes to overall stiffness and the lifespan of the chainring. When I removed the good old Alugear Aero Boost Chainring for Shimano Direct Mount and applied force in a rotational way on the chainring I could notice a difference in flex between the Alugear- and The Mechanic Parts chainring. The Alugear has more flex. Stiffness was always one of the reasons why I’ve opted for Aero chainrings, normally these were stiffer than the normal versions. But the TMP chainring is significantly stiffer, which I also experience on the trail in less rubbing against the Scott Scale direct mount Chainguide for 1×12 speed.
The Mechanic Parts also offers a wide range of options from 30T up to 44T in both round and oval shapes. If you look across their complete chainring portfolio the options are almost infinite from SRAM to Shimano, 1x and 2x with offset or without any offset.
This variety is also reflected in the ambassadors of The Mechanic Parts: from Olympic medal hand-bikers to cyclocross young talent and everything in between or everything beyond. When you have a look on the Instagram page you see that also the World Tour Pro ranks have found The Mechanic Parts, with Demi Vollering’s time-trail bike showing a massive TMP Chainring, and many more examples.
That’s why we’re proud that our chainrings have been used by, among others, Mathieu van der Poel, Marianne Vos, Remco Evenepoel, Puck Pieterse, Tristan Bangma, Thomas Pidcock, and many more.
This is not a coincidence, simple because Ludy van Noort has build relationships with top-notch mechanics over the years, for example when he was supporting riders during rides like Cape Epic. If you cannot find the chainring option at The Mechanic Parts, than most likely you cannot find it anywhere. And if it is not on The Mechanic Parts website you can always sent the team an e-mail to find out what the options and possibilities are.
Installation Mechanic Parts Chainring for Shimano Deore XT M8100
Installation is as easy as removing a Shimano Hollowtech II mountain bike crankset. In order to install the Mechanic Parts Direct Mount Chainring you need to remove the Shimano Deore XT M8100 Hollowtech II crankset. There is a good work instruction from Park Tool for this: Crank Removal and Installation: Two-Piece Compression Slotted.
Removing the Hollowtech II crankset
- Loosen the M5 bolts on the non-drive side crank arm
- Loosen the Kogel Bearings Shimano Crank Arm Fixing Bolt with
- Remove the Protection Plate with product# Y1GE98050
- Remove the non-drive side Hollowtech II crank arm from the 24 mm hollow Shimano axle
- Gently remove the Shimano Hyperglide chain from the chainring, and slide the drive-side Hollowtech II crank arm through the CEMA Bearing Interlock BB86-BB92 Bottom Bracket
- Slide the Shimano TL-FC41 Tool for Direct Mount Chainring over the axle and onto the Direct Mount lockring.
- Use a Bahco 9033 adjustable wrench to loosen the lockring and remove the lockring
- Remove the old Direct Mount Chainring
Installation Mechanic Parts Direct Mount Chainring and placing Hollowtech II crankset
- Place the Mechanic Parts Direct Mount Chainring over the 24 mm hollow Shimano axle
- Adjust the Mechanic Parts Direct Mount Chainring so it locks into the correct position
- Place the lockring (you might even want to put some Morgan Blue Aquaproof Paste or Weldtite TF2 Lithium Grease on the lockring thread.
- Slide the Shimano TL-FC41 Tool for Direct Mount Chainring over the axle and onto the Direct Mount lockring.
- Use a Bahco 9033 adjustable wrench to tighten the lockring, and the Unior Tools Crowfoot 1725/2CF Open End Wrench will help you torque to specification.
- Gently place the Shimano Hyperglide chain on the Mechanic Parts Direct Mount Chainring, and slide the drive-side Hollowtech II crank arm with the 24 mm axle through the CEMA Bearing Interlock BB86-BB92 Bottom Bracket
- Gently place the non-drive side Hollowtech II crank arm onto the 24 mm hollow Shimano axle
- Place Protection Plate with product# Y1GE98050
- Place M5 bolts and Kogel Bearings Shimano Crank Arm Fixing Bolt and hand tighten these;
- Adjust the preload with the Park Tool Adjusting Cap Tool BBT-10.2;
- Torque M5 bolts to specification 12-14 Nm with Stahlwille Manoskop 730N/2 Mechanical Torque Wrench 2-20 Nm
Silent with more stiffness – TMP Direct Mount Chainring for Shimano Deore XT M8100 on the singletrack
In the key features section of this review, I’ve explained that The Mechanic Parts chainring is noticeably stiffer than the Alugear Aero Boost Chainring. Where normally I would hear the sound of the chain rubbing against the Scott Scale direct mount Chainguide. And while chain lines on a 1x mountainbike setup are not always parallel to the center line of the bike (parrellell to the wheels) this rubbing is completely gone with the Mechanic Parts Chainring. Same Shimano Deore XT CN-M8100 12-speed Chain with the same Shimano Deore XT M8100 cassette and even without re-lubing the chain. I was mostly surprised, but to me it shows the excellent stiffness of the chainring and used use of 7075 T6 aluminium, the hardest most wear resistant aluminum.
After overcoming this first surprise, I have not experienced any issues in shifting, and with the narrow wide profile it is tough to get a chain de-railled from the front ring. In this warm and humid period, there is only one thing that I couldn’t test, the mud-grooves. These mud-grooves will also help in removing sand and dust in dry conditions. No mud for now, but I will certainly add my findings as soon as I can in this part of the review.
To conclude. The key features don’t just exist on paper or in a marketing brochure, but you can really feel the difference and experience the quality design and engineering of this Mechanic Parts Direct Mount Chain Ring for Shimano Deore XT M8100.
Concluding thoughts and wrap-up
The price point of a 34T round option of the Mechanic Parts Direct Mount Chainring for Shimano Deore XT M8100 in a 3 mm offset (or Boost) version is € 89,00. The Mechanic Parts Direct Mount Chainring in 30T will cost € 79,00 up to € 100,00 for the 44T version.
The key selling points of The Mechanic Parts chainrings are the wide variety of options and the use of 7075 T6 aluminium, the hardest most wear resistant aluminum. Therefore I’m more than willing to pay a tiny bit more, and not having the color options available. Instead you get a strong, stiff, durable, wear resistant chainring that simply keeps on going for a long long time !
- Did you know The Mechanic Parts (a Dutch Company)?
- Have you tried chainrings of The Mechanic Parts?
- The Mechanic Parts also offers Chain Catchers and even Chainring Bolt Covers for Shimano Road Groupsets?
- What chainrings do you use size, shape, color?
Please let me know in the comment section. Are you interested in other chainring reviews for Shimano Direct Mount Hollowtech II cranks than please check out:
- Alugear Aero Boost Chainring for Shimano Direct Mount
- Works Components GEO Chainring for Shimano Direct Mount
Works Components have an amazing look and price point, The Mechanic Parts is the overall winner in performance and durability.
