Sea Otter Tech: Praxis HiT Gearbox, Williams Racing Products Freehub & More

Breaking new ground beyond their usual component lineup, Praxis has unveiled an innovative gearbox concept: the HiT.

This fully internal, chain-driven system features a set of size-changing cogs that hinge in a unique way, allowing the HiT to offer between 4 and 16 gears—all of which can be shifted under load. A transparent prototype with 4 speeds was on display, giving a clear look at the inner workings of this game-changing drivetrain.

Thanks to its size-adjusting cogs and integrated jockey wheel, the HiT keeps the chain perfectly aligned, minimizing drag and eliminating mis-shifts. While the current version uses an industrial chain, future models could shrink in size with a custom chain featuring smaller rollers.

Praxis is pushing development on multiple fronts: testing durability, collaborating with OEM partners for bike integration, and exploring compatibility with mid-drive e-bike motors to bring the HiT system to a wide range of platforms.

Learn more about Williams Racing Products and it´s DT 350 ratchet.