Chris Delia Interview

Chris Delia is an Australian living in London, he’s making quite an impression on the freestyle fixed gear scene in the UK. With his background in trials he already has a lot of experience behind him so I’m sure he’s gonna go far. I’m sure you’ve already heard of him so I won’t say any more, here’s what he has to say about riding fixed…

What’s your background in cycling and how long have you been riding fixed?
I’ve been riding all my life really. I started doing a bit of down hill and dual slalom but then got in to trials. Been riding trials for about 8 years, but since moving to London I met the guys from Fixed Gear London started riding fixed from then on. So I suppose I’d say I’ve been riding fixed for about 2 and half years.

What do you like about riding fixed? What differentiates it from riding other bikes?
I like the feeling of complete control over what the bike does, you can feel everything it does, I don’t know really, its just nice. I also like the challenge of fixed when riding tricks, I suppose this is the main difference I find from other bikes. You have to get pedal timing spot on for jumps, drops, ups etc… or it just doesn’t work.

You recently got sponsored, tell us a bit about that. Who hooked you up? What kind of stuff do you get?
Yeah its really cool, I ride for Ison Distribution, they’re all really good guys up there. So with them I ride for Identiti, Gusset, Halo, Odi and Genetic. That covers every part of my bike, so its a pretty sweet deal.

It’s cool that companies are starting to sponsor riders, how does it feel to be a key figure at “the birth of a scene” in the UK?
I’ve never really thought of myself as a key figure, I just like to ride and if people start to notice me then that’s pretty cool I suppose.

Do you get to have any input with regards to upcoming products now?
Yeah the good thing about riding for Ison Distribution is that they own Identiti, Halo and Gusset so for all the new fixed products I get heaps of input. That’s what I like about them, they listen to what I think works and doesn’t, you cant really develop stuff unless you have someone that rides it. After the first Identiti Persona prototype they made all the changes I suggested like bigger tyre clearance, smaller head tube and more room for bar spins.

Where do you see the fixed freestyle scene going? Is it the new BMX?
Its definitely progressing, I don’t think its the new BMX but I see it as kind a mix of street MTB and BMX with something else.

Riding fixed for me (and many others) is very much like like an extension of growing up skateboarding; we go out with friends, we have favourite spots, we fall off a lot etc. What does riding fixed represent for you, do you have any similar feelings?
Yeah I’d agree with that, I find its a lot like going out and riding trials (i never skated), you ride a spot till you get too tired or too hurt, then move on. The only difference is that fixed is a lot easier than a trials bike to get in between spots.

Full bike spec? (photos)
Frame: Identiti Persona
Fork: Identiti FFX 30mm offset
Bars: Gusset open prison 3″
Stem: Gusset colt
Cranks: Gusset pigmy 3 Reynolds 853 170mm
Chainring: Gusset G-wheel 36th
Chain: Gusset badger
Pedals: Gusset Pin Head plastic pedals
Foot retention: Power grips
Seat: Gusset slim vin
Seatpost: Gusset 4-poster
Rims: Halo Aerowarrior, front and rear
Hubs: Halo track, front and rear
Tyres: Halo twin rail 700x38c dual compound
Grips: Odi longneck st
Lights: Skully front and rear, they’re cool because the light comes out of the skulls eyes :)

Finally, why the hell can’t I bunny hop or wheelie? Am I completely sad?
Don’t know why you cant, its just takes time and practice, that’s all. Although bunny hops on fixed are all about the pedal timing, get that right first then its the same as any other bike.

So there we go, what a lovely chap. I think he was just being polite on that last question, everyone knows that if you come from a council estate and can’t wheelie you are SAD, haha.

Thanks to Chris for taking the time out to answer the questions, check out his blog.