Praxis Works builds all those parts of the bicycle that propel you forward: cranksets and bottom brackets, chainrings, cassettes and wheels. Founded in 2010 and located in laid-back and bicycle-mad Santa Cruz, Calif., Praxis Works is quickly becoming a high-quality aftermarket manufacturer of these components which, in concert, form the beating heart of the bicycle.
Industry veteran David Earle founded Praxis after working in R&D for the original Bontrager Cycles, as Senior Design Engineer for Specialized, for Santa Cruz Cycles, and for other individual ventures. Earle fancies himself Praxis Works’ “Chief Mad Scientist,” and science in the form of product engineering and relentless testing is perhaps the key to Praxis’ success.
“Praxis’ sole purpose is to provide customers of all types with exceptionally designed drivetrain components that offer great performance and value. Our innovative manufacturing methods, combined with the in-house engineering team and testing facilities, make Praxis Works a new force in the cycling industry,” says Eric Highlander, Praxis Works’ Event Coordinator.
Road cranks come in three models, built from solid aluminum, hollow aluminum or carbon fiber. The carbon cranks are available with or without an integrated 4iiii power meter, and all road cranks are available in a wide variety of chainring pairings, including 48/32, 50/34, 52/36 and the standard 53/39. Praxis has also embraced the shorter crank movement, with crankarm lengths that start at 160mm and max out at 175mm.
Carbon fiber dominates the line-up for the mountain cranks, which come in six different models. Three of them are made from carbon, two from solid aluminum and one from hollow aluminum. All offer direct mount rings from 30-36 teeth and utilize the M30 bottom bracket. The top of the line carbon Lyft model also comes with an HD (Heavy Duty) option that features a more robust carbon layup and a thicker M30 bottom bracket for heavier and stronger riders.
Praxis also makes carbon and alloy cranks for e-bikes, and chainrings for bikes of all persuasions. A single, wide-range cassette for mountain bike use is offered, for 10-speed Shimano and SRAM systems with one or two chainrings, with an 11-40 tooth range.
For wheelsets, Praxis has teamed up with a trusted name in the industry, DT Swiss, who manufacture the hubs and spokes. There are two mountain wheelsets offered in carbon and aluminum rim options, a road wheelset with carbon rims, and a special wheelset, the AL24, designed for gravel riding and racing that features wide-section aluminum rims, and which comes in 27.5 in and 700c options. Stand-alone carbon and aluminum rims are also offered.
Whether it’s cranks, chainrings, wheelsets or other components on Praxis’ menu, you can rest assured that their products have undergone rigorous in-house and on-the-road testing courtesy of the TIBCO/SVB pro women’s team, an elite men’s team and several individually-sponsored athletes.
Top notch product design and engineering is paired with excellent customer service, including live support at the Praxis Works website, to keep you on the road, the singletrack trail or the gravel fire road, moving forward.