The Persona has been designed with input from Identiti-sponsored rider Chris Delia, and as he cycles at the more extreme end of the singlespeed/fixed scene, the frame is full of touches to cope with being thrown off drops, down stairs, over benches…
The geometry is more akin to that of a hardtail mountain bike than a standard road fixed. The frame weighs in at a not unreasonable 2.3kg (size large), with a double-butted 4130 chromoly tubeset, reinforced head tube and large head/down tube gusset. It has a steeply sloped top tube, short 410mm chainstays and a straight BMX style fork – the FFX.
Feeling short on length and steep up front, this is one of the most agile bikes of its type, ideal for city riding and able to handle anything you throw at it if you feel the need to get a bit more ‘extreme’. In fact, the whole setup positively encourages bad behaviour. Aside from the beefed up metalwork, the Persona’s real innovation is the taper-lock rear dropout design.
The thickness of the dropouts increases at a 1.5 degree angle towards the chainstay. This, combined with special tapered washers, means the forces that pull a rear fixed setup forwards, slackening the chain, are now pulling the axle into the taper and tightening it, meaning no need for chain tensioners. It’s a simple idea that’s been brilliantly executed.
Gearing is a Genetic forged BMX style chainset with a 42-tooth chainring and bash guard matched to a 16t fixed sprocket, giving a 69in gear that’s perfect for riding on the flat and isn’t beyond most urban climbs. The Halo Aerotrack wheels are shod with big volume 29mm Halo Twin Rail Courier tyres, ideal for the Persona which has clearance for tyres up to 39mm wide.
Up front, the Gusset Singles bar, a one-piece bar/stem combo, isn’t too narrow at 50cm and can be flipped to offer a 10-degree rise or fall, providing an effective stem length of 80mm. Dia Compe brakes front and rear are matched to Dia Compe BMX style two-finger levers – good quality items on a bike at this price. This tough but simple urban machine comes in small (55cm), medium (56cm) and large (57cm), in black or orange.