Identiti Bikes has just launched the second generation of its AKA trail hardtail.
Following the lineage of Identiti’s legendary Mr Hyde dirt jump hardtail, the AKA adds a dose of modern, longer, lower and slacker geometry, making it an all-out trail machine.
2019 Identiti AKA highlights
- 27.5- and 29-inch wheel compatibility
- 140mm/120mm travel for 29-/27.5-inch build
- Long and slack progressive geometry
- ISCG 05 tabs for chain guides
- Threaded bottom bracket
- Available in small, medium and large
- Frameset: £499.99
- Complete builds from: £1,699.99
Progressive, aggressive hardtail
Progressive geometry is a term that gets bandied around a lot, but on this particular hardtail it applies.
It’s actually very interesting to see what was once deemed extreme geometry — in a custom-built long and slack hardtail — is now not far off some production bikes.
The 64.5-degree head angle might sound outrageous, but it’s actually tuned to sit at 66 degrees when fork sag is accounted for.
The reach comes in at a relatively long 450mm for a size M, with a not so steep 73-degree seat tube angle that balances out at 74.5 degrees with sag.
The chainstays can be adjusted from a short 420mm to 435mm, resulting in a wheelbase between 1,190 and 1,205mm in a size M.
That results in a very modern geometry package with handling that Identiti claims is inspired by its Mettle enduro bike.
A versatile package
The 6000 alloy series frame is compatible with both 27.5-inch and 29-inch wheels and allows you to run a 140mm travel fork with the former and a 120mm fork with the latter wheel size.
You’ll be able to fit a 27.5 x 2.6in or 29 x 2.35in tyre respectively.
The sliding Adjustable Drop Out System (ADS), allows 15mm of adjustments to the wheelbase, even giving you the option of running the bike as a singlespeed.
We’re also particularly pleased to see a threaded bottom bracket and the addition of a ISCG-05 mount.
Identiti AKA pricing and availability
The Identiti AKA is available as a frame only for £499.99
Identiti is also offering three complete builds, each in 27.5-inch and 29-inch versions, which start at £1,699.99
Identiti AKA R 27.5 / 29 specs and prices
- Fork: RockShox Recon 140mm / RockShox Recon RL 120mm
- Drivetrain: SRAM NX 11-speed, 11-42t cassette
- Crankset: SRAM NX 32t
- Chainguide: MRP 1x CS Guide IS-05
- Wheelset: Halo Ridgeline 27.5 / Halo Vapour 35 29
- Tyres: Schwalbe Nobby Nic Addix Soft Snake Skin 2.35
- Brakes: SRAM Level, 180mm rotors
- Seatpost: KS e30i 150mm
- 27.5-inch: £1,699.99
- 29-inch: £1,799.99
Identiti AKA RC 27.5 / 29 specs and prices
- Fork: RockShox Revelation RC 140mm / RockShox Revelation RC 120mm
- Drivetrain: SRAM NX Eagle 12-speed, 11-50t cassette
- Crankset: SRAM NX 34t
- Chainguide: MRP 1x CS Guide IS-05
- Wheelset: Halo Vapour 35
- Tyres: Schwalbe Nobby Nic Addix Soft Snake Skin 2.35
- Brakes: SRAM Level, 180mm rotors
- Seatpost: KS e30i 150mm
- £2,199.99
Identiti AKA RCX 27.5 / 29 specs and prices
- Fork: MRP Ribbon 140mm / MRP Ribbon 120mm
- Drivetrain: Shimano XT M8000 11-speed, 11-46t cassette
- Crankset: Shimano XT M8000 170mm, 34t
- Chainguide: MRP 1x CS Guide IS-05
- Wheelset: Halo Vapour 35
- Tyres: Schwalbe Nobby Nic Addix Soft Snake Skin 2.35
- Brakes: Shimano MT-520, 180mm rotors
- Seatpost: KS e30i 150mm
- £2,499.99
For more information, check out Identiti for its full range of bikes.
To find out where to get your hands on an Identiti AKA visit Identiti's local UK stockist or international distributor pages.