It’s been a little while since we had heard anything about Tom Perry. We have always been big fans of his style on and off the bike, so we were obviously curious as to what he has been up to lately. We recently caught wind that he had joined the Freed Bikes team and has been busy stacking clips for a welcome edit along with the “Likewise” DVD. With that being said, Tom recently built himself up a fresh Freed setup decked out with Odyssey parts, so we figured it would be a good time to catch up with him and take a closer look at his setup! Check out this dialed unit!
Name: Tom Perry
Location: San Diego
Years riding: About 10?
Frame: Freed Freedom
Bars: Freed Freedom
Fork: Odyssey R-25
Stem: Odyssey 45mm Dugan
Headset: Odsy
Pedals: Odyssey Twisted Plastic
Chain: Odyssey Bluebird
Sprocket: Odyssey 28t MDS
Cranks: Odyssey 170mm Thunderbolts
Seat / Post / Clamp: Odyssey Eric L seat
Front Wheel / Tire: Odyssey Antigram / 2.25 Aitken
Rear Wheel / Tire: Odyssey Antigram / 1.90 Aitken
Pegs: Odyssey Joysticks
Hub Guards: Odyssey Antigram
Brakes? Vans
Modifications?
Little off the bar width, stem slammed and steerer tube chopped.
What’s the newest part on your bike?
Gonna slap on some rad Garrett Reeves Sunday grips as soon as possible, that guy shreds and my hands shred grips.
What’s the oldest? Does it hold any sentimental value at all?
Probably the Eric L seat… Just a good dude, and a good seat only gets comfier over time.
Are you particular with how your bike needs to be setup? Certain top tube length, chain stay length, bottom bracket height, bar position or anything like that or are you pretty flexible with things?
If my bars aren’t straight with the forks or the wheels are off center in the dropouts I’ll tweak out until all is right in the universe.
Does your setup change up much? The number of pegs, brakes, freecoaster / cassette, etc. or are you pretty consistent with how you like things?
I tend to change things up if I have tricks in mind or feel like experimenting, but lately I have been leaving it alone and having fun with pegs a lot.
What do you usually go through the fastest on your bike?
Grips (can’t deal with thick grips) and pedals once I start grinding on em. Pegs have been helping though.
Do you like to work on your bike and keep it dialed or do you ride it until it’s beat before you pull out the tools?
Loose chains and flats are about the only things that ever need fixing but thankfully they’re rare these days.
You recently started getting hooked up by Freed Bikes. How did that opportunity come about?
Pretty sure through the homie Doeby (@likewisedvd) actually. I hung out with the dudes at Woodward and can’t wait for the next adventure with those guys.
How are things going so far? Do you have any trips or anything in the works with them you can tell us about?
Just trying to wrap up a little Freed edit with Doebs at the moment, should be rad!
I know this time of year is when it’s pretty ideal to stick around San Diego. Do you have any travel plans to wrap up this year or anything in the works for 2015 you’re looking forward to?
Just working and making music, kinda have a lot of little personal projects like this 70’s era xs650 chopper I’ve been slacking on, haha. Hopefully be rolling around through the mountains with my dudes by spring time though!
It’s been a while since you put out an edit you filmed and edited. Any chance we’ll be seeing a video with you on the other side of the lens in the near future?
Been preoccupied with little projects outside of BMX but filming and editing footage is always a treat. A lot just ends up filtered through Instagram these days though so if you want to get weird: @youareawkward
Do you have any shout outs or thanks?
Just thanks to everyone @FreedBikes and @OdysseyBMXfor their generosity and support! Thanks to Dylan (@implivium) for snapping the riding photos!
Anything else you want to say?
“In nonsense is strength.”