Praxis shows their current ’cross rings at Sea Otter. © Cyclocross Magazine
Cyclocross-specific chainrings are becoming more and more popular with the rise of gravel racing, and Praxis, with their cold-forged chainrings, has been in the market for a while with their 48/36 and 46/36 chainring sets. Praxis uses cold forging technology with their “one shot forge” model, which is designed to increase the rings’ durability and make for smoother shifting.
You might think the first-released 36/48 combo is a little odd given that most cyclocross cranksets use 36/46, or in the past, 38/48, while many pros use something even tighter like a 36/44, 38/44 or 38/46, but the wide-range combo provides versatility and straddles the line between cyclocross rings and the common compact crankset gearing and offers gravel and adventure cyclists a bit more of a range. The more recently released 36/46 offers more traditional cyclocross race gearing. Both sets have an MSRP of $160.
Even if it’s time to clean your chain, the LevaTime ramps ensure fast, reliable shifts. © Cyclocross Magazine
As far as new projects go, potential new ones include venturing into 1X (single ring) chainrings, or creating a new ’cross model with smaller gearing, but Adam Haverstock, director of marketing and sales, says that the company is still pondering their next move. When it comes to new products, Praxis has a hard time since to cold forge a new chainring isn’t as simple as a process like creating a new CNC machining drawing is.
Praxis is also getting into crankarms with a sister company, Turn Cycles, so stay tuned for info on that as they start manufacturing cranks to be used in conjunction with their chainrings.
Praxis helps cyclocrossers use Shimano Hollowtech cranks on BB30 and PF30 frames. © Cyclocross Magazine
The company also makes bottom bracket, and makes an innovative conversion bottom bracket that allows you to use Shimano 24mm cranks in PF30 or BB30 frames, and at $85, can help you actually save money by letting you use your old cranks on your new frameset.
Praxis Works Conversion BB expands as it threads into itself, ensuring a tight fit. © Cyclocross Magazine
Praxis Works also offers standard external bearing bottom brackets for Shimano cranksets on BSA 68mm bottom bracket shells. At $40, they are competitive to OEM options.
The company also just released their new double mountain chainrings, available in a 104/64BCD 4-arm mounting, with three different sizes: 38/26, 36/22, 32/22. Building up an adventure bike? The 38/26 paired with a cyclocross cassette in the back could get you up almost anything, assuming you can get your chainline right.
We’ve currently have a set of cyclocross rings and the bottom bracket in testing. Stay tuned for that review.
More info: praxiscycles.com
Praxis Works Chainring and Bottom Bracket Photo Gallery:
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