Ahead of Sea Otter Classic, Praxis took to social media to announce the news about its new HiT Transmission prototype Gearbox.
Perhaps best known for their cranks, chainrings and bottom brackets, they say they’ve been continuing innovation in new drivetrain areas.
The brand says, “The HiT Gear Box has been an R&D ‘Skunk Works’ project at our Santa Cruz, California office, and it’s time we share the prototype, how it works and its potential.”
With more extensive details being shared on their website, here are some of the highlights:
Praxis says the prototype is based on unique hinged clusters for changing gears and that the gear segments swing on a hinge in and out from the loaded chain, which sets the gearing. This hinged gearing allows the transmission to stay compact and a constant chain line across all the gears.
They believe the “GearBox is the way forward for the majority of bicycles. The HiT can be applied to a variety of different types of bicycles, such as DH, mountain, pavement and cargo. We have been riding and testing both MTN and Pavement versions of it for the past couple of years.”
Currently, the Praxis HiT gearbox has multiple patents, with more on the way.
In terms of next steps, they are exploring the development of combining it with an e-bike motor and are “looking for the right partner to help develop the HiT beyond our current capabilities. This includes potentially finding partners for manufacturing, service, and/or licensing agreement.”
Product highlights:
– Shifts under load
– Chain-driven transmission
– Can be designed as 4sp to 16sp
– Optimised internal chainline
– Electronic shifting
– Programmable/auto shifting
– Direct shift (One touch sweep/dump)
– Designed for serviceability
Head to the Praxis website for more details.
