Whatever the reason, sometimes you just need lower gears. In the past that has meant either fitting a larger cassette which isn’t always an option, or fitting a compact, typically 50/34t crank. If you’ve already exhausted those options and still find yourself wanting lower gearing, it looks like Praxis Works will soon have an option for you. Available on the Alba M30 solid forged crankset and the Zayante hollow forged crankset, they will be offering a new compact spider that takes micro gearing to a new level.
Not only that, but their cranksets are becoming much more modular to fit a number of different gearing options…
In order to fit an incredibly small 32t chainring on the inboard position, the Micro Compact spider has two tricks up its sleeve. First, the spider itself has a small shelf machined onto the tip of each arm. This allows the ring to sit lower and provides clearance for the chain as it rides over the teeth. The other trick is that the chainring bolt actually threads into the inner ring rather than using a threaded nut. The result is a 48/32t micro compact that will get you up some of the steepest hills.
The micro compact spider will also fit standard 110 BCD chainrings but the 32t inner ring will only work on the Praxis Micro Compact Spider. That spider is also cross compatible on various Praxis cranks with removable spiders, but only cranks that are labeled Praxis, not the early Turn cranks. Available now, the micro compact rings will be the same price as their other rings.
Thanks to the removable spider on their cranks, Praxis can offer direct mount CX rings to take advantage of their partnership with MRP for the Wave tooth profile. Initially available this fall in 40/42t only, additional sizes of the cold forged aluminum rings will be available later.
Direct Mount spiders also opens up the cranks for power meter options like the one from Power2Max.
DM CX chainrings gives Praxis an excuse to introduce a new chainguide with their Cross Guide. Meant for road, gravel, or cross bikes with braze on front derailleur mounts, the Cross Guide should fit just about everything with a two bolt mounting position and an adjustable upper guide and a 38-46t capacity.
For the standard guides, Praxis’ ISCG05 guides are available now, but they will have a new High Direct Mount Guide available this fall as well.
