Bike Design
benneally
Posts: 973
I'm currently doing an Engineering Degree at Cambridge, and when I graduate I'd really like to work in the bike industry designing bikes. So im looking for a summer placement with a company that is involved with the design of bikes or components, to get an idea of the industry/what the job would be like.
I've tried approaching companies directly but with little response and so I was just wondering if anyone has any contacts/knows anyone that may be able to help me out?
I know its a long shot, and no one really knows me, but any email addresses, phone numbers or anything would be really helpful.
Thanks guys.
I've tried approaching companies directly but with little response and so I was just wondering if anyone has any contacts/knows anyone that may be able to help me out?
I know its a long shot, and no one really knows me, but any email addresses, phone numbers or anything would be really helpful.
Thanks guys.
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Comments
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This is not usually easy - most of us in the bike trade work from the bottom up, starting in shop as a tea boy!0
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I've done that bit too... admittedly not for a very long time though.0
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I guess there are hundreds of people in your position - what you got to offer that they haven't?
Have you tried the smaller independant builders?0 -
I was kind of hoping that a degree from Cambridge and the fact that I spend hours on the bike a week, training/racing for my club/uni would help. I would say I have a much better understanding of bike designing than most in my position. Then again I may be wrong.0
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Possibly, possibly not.
Why not submit a design of yours to someone?0 -
benneally wrote:I was kind of hoping that a degree from Cambridge and the fact that I spend hours on the bike a week, training/racing for my club/uni would help. I would say I have a much better understanding of bike designing than most in my position. Then again I may be wrong.
In which case why don't you set up your own company?
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I've thought about trying to start myself, but thought that whilst at uni a summer placement at a larger company to get hold of the basics would help. Also thinking that working with a well established company would mean that I could help make the best bikes out there, at the cutting edge of material and frame design.
Supersonic - yeah that's a good idea, like make a portfolio of ideas and stuff. Thanks.
Am also interested in designing other components of bikes to, to help get into the industry.0 -
I'd imagine it's very oversubscribed - how many of us here would love to design bikes for a living? Like SS says, you need to try and stand out somehow. Call the companies you're sending stuff off to and ask for the name of the person responsible for recruitment, then you can address your letter to them directly and hopefully at least get it read! Maybe you could include some sort of flyer in there with pics of your work...
When you get in, let me know because I want a job too 0 -
I would have though any large manufacturing/engineering company would be good for you CV, you would be better off trying at the bigger brands as they are more likely to have work exprience/placement schemes already in place.-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Mongoose Teocali
Giant STP0
Why are MTB economics; spend twice as much as you intended, but only half as much as you wish you could afford? :roll:0 -
could try terry dolan. getting a summer placement is usually fire off cv & portfolio on a cd (in an innovative simple package, that works) to several companies and then give them a bit of time then check back either over the phone or face to face is better to guage their interest, with the hope of a decent interview. be prepared for the unexpected. just have to show youve got passionate interest with a range of skills in frame/component design and willing to learn quickly, sell yourself not your soul. your tutors any help to you? anyways keep at it, learn from mistakes & experience.0
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Why not try a specialist materials company? I know that this isn't directly what you want to do, however materials in the trade are becoming ever more important. Atleast it shows that youre willing to do something realted to MTB.Giant XTC SE 2006
Cube LTD Race 2009
Trek Fuel EX 90 -
Seriously it makes no differance where you do your work exprience so long as it is in the engineering/manufacturing industry, the engineers at oxford when my brother was there did all kinds of different work exprience and none of them went into that exact field. Just fire off lots of lettters or find out if your colleage has any previous links to companies doing anything close to what you want to do.-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Mongoose Teocali
Giant STP0
Why are MTB economics; spend twice as much as you intended, but only half as much as you wish you could afford? :roll:0 -
Have you tried companies that aren't so sexy. Raleigh and the like...
Or what about Hope and other companies that make the bits that go on the bike, those crud guys have done well by selling plastic bits, however its the clever design and testing that makes them successful.
Anyway good luck, don't let anone tell you that it's not possible, keep your dream of working in the industry and you'll get there. I wish I knew what I wanted to do when I was at University. I'm sure you'll get loads of support on here.
cheers,0
