i’m looking at an XT M8000 drivetrain bundle. if i buy the 2x setup with 2x rings and shifters and mechs, could i also buy a 30t 1x ring and swap it for the 2x rings? and remove the front shifter and front mech?

I’ve got 1x M8000 cranks and it has holes for a granny ring as well. So yes 🙂

I’ve recently looked into changing my 2x m8000 chainset into a 1x. As best as I can tell its the same crank for both.

This makes me think that the chainline might be sub-optimal unless the single ring has spacers to bring it inboard a little.

I put an AB ring on mine which has a corrected chainline. Apparently.

It’s the same crank for 2x and 1x. If you’re fitting a single ring then get some spacers and longer bolts.

If you’re happy with SLX cranks instead, let me know. I’ve a new set (off a bike/never ridden) I need to sell.

Ive recently converted my M8000 1×11 cranks to 2×11, the chainring spacing seemed exactly the same as a purchased 2×11. I actually used the m7000 slx rings on it, as these are steel and plastic, rather than the XT’s alloy rings, so hopefully will last a bit longer.
one thing i did notice when setting up the derailleurs was that the chain kicked inwards at a certain point of the crank turn as it went around the large chainring – I eventually found the reason to be the small chainring spacer that sits behind the crankarm, to stop the chain dropping behind it, was actually a few mm longer than the gap, and was actually pushing against the chainring, causing it to deflect – a few minutes with the dremel soon sorted it. – Something to be aware of though, might be because the rings were from a non boost slx crank, and the XT was boost?