The Praxis chainrings on my road bike are starting to wear out. I’m debating whether to keep the Praxis or go with Wickwerks. I run a compact 50-34 on my road bike with Di2. I have Wickwerks rings on my CX bike and love how they shift…much smoother than Praxis. Then again, I’m running 46-36 on my CX bike, so it’s a 10 vs 16 tooth jump. Any recommendations from folks? BTW, the crank on my road bike is a Cannondale SiSL2. Thanks!
-Pete
I don’t own both, but I’ve liked how the WickWerks have performed on a 50/34. Like you’ve experienced, they engage damn quickly even with a “big” jump. I’d think both are good options, though.
I’ve had both… personally I like Wickwerks a little better (really like the looks) but you can’t go wrong with either IMO.
They are both really, really good. You won’t be disappointed either way. You made a good point about the 10 tooth jump being easier than the 16. I would agree with Chris and go with the one that you think looks better. I’m on a 50/34 Praxis set on my cx race bike (out of season) just for the all matte black finish. You have some super sweet cranks, so you might as well put the ones on there that match the best.
I think the 50/34 Praxis rings shift poorly, if there’s a chance the WW rings shift better, I’d go that route.
I had the exact opposite impression of the 50-34 Praxis rings. I am very impressed with their shifting.
The Praxis chainrings on my road bike are starting to wear out.
-Pete
I’m curious how many miles are on the chain rings that they are starting to wear out. My 2009 Allez, which has the original 53/39 Shimano 5600 front end, has upwards of 20,000 miles on it and no visible wear or shifting issues. That bike is my ride in any weather bike and has taken a beating, new brake calipers, new FD, new BB, one new wheel, etc, but the chain rings are troopers.
I ask because my wife’s bike has a Praxis front end that we put on when she got a C1 power meter (Original Cannondale would not work) and I’m wondering it I should be watching them.
I agree that the shifting on the Praxis rings is great, but the smoothness on mine has gone down as they’ve worn out (surprise). I’ve just been impressed at how flawless the shifting on Wickwerks has been even on bumpy singletrack. I wouldn’t hesitate to get Praxis again, but I guess I’m also looking to try go with somethings different.
I wish Praxis and Wickwerks were able to make their rings in the USA. I know that overseas manufacturing allows them to offer a premium product at a reasonable cost. It would be nice for them to take the Chris King approach.
My Cannondale has over 24K miles on it. I think I replaced the stock FSA rings after about 7000, so the Praxis are probably at around 17K. The big ring (which I primarily use) has the beginning of some shark toothing in a few spots, plus the shifting isn’t as good as it used to be. Considering how much I and how hard I ride, I tend to take the earlier replacement approach. For example, I regularily replace my tires after about 2K or less. I’d rather spend $35-$40 vs the risk of stopping more frequently to change flats.
Its got me befuddled too. I have 55k miles on my 2010 Tarmac rings (Shimano 50/34) and it still shifts great.
But I have been thinking about changing just for good measure.
I have no experience with the Wickwerks. I do have a Praxis compact on my P3 with Di2. It is just “ok” shifting and it seems to always want to drop the chain if back pedaling or moving the bike around not pedaling (doesn’t matter if its on the big or small ring or what combination is on the back (although big to big is the worse). I’ve adjusted it, 3 bike shops have adjusted it, with no success. It’s just finicky and a PITA. I have FSA compacts on my road bike with 10spd dura ace. Older with lots more miles and no issues at all. Not a good apples to apples comparison because of road vs. tt and 11spd vs. 10spd and di2 vs. mechanical, nor the same cranks or frames…ok it gets worse each time I think about it. However, the tt bike was new from start and the Praxis rings have had this problem from day one. I can’t recommend them based on my experiences.
I was asking this same question a few months ago and went with Wickwerks because they were on sale at the time. No regrets. I have no experience with Praxis so I cannot offer a comparison.
I was asking this same question a few months ago and went with Wickwerks because they were on sale at the time. No regrets. I have no experience with Praxis so I cannot offer a comparison.
When were they on sale? Was their a coupon code? Thanks!
Would have been within the last couple of months. No coupon - prices were discounted on their website. I think they were clearing out some stuff. I think they were $140 or $150 at the time.
I’m running 52/36. Was not impressed with Praxis, I found S-Works rings to be the best shifting that I’ve tried.
I find that you really need to compare performance with the same FD. For example, I run Praxis 52/34 front rings with Duraace Di2 on THM M3 cranks and it shifts as well as when I had Duraace cranks and DA 53/39’s on. I’m seeing that An Ultegra Di2 FD can not handle that jump.
This said, I have a 1x Absolute Black TT oval ring on my tri bike and I’m considering trying the Absolute Black oval road rings which have similar ramping as the WW rings… but being cnc’d, they’ll wear faster than the Praxis, but I just love oval rings and Absolute Black is making the best oval rings Ive used.