bikerun

I recently picked up biking after multiple injuries from running, mainly due to the impact. as a runner I've attained pretty decent times... 2:38 marathon and 15:46 5k, so I have a pretty good background of endurance sports. While I realize that running is not a very good indicator of biking ability and vice versa, I sorta feel like I have some potential in the bike race scene. with my running times I was able to win a few road races and make a little bit of extra cash and even get a free pair of shoes every once in awhile.

I have really gotten into biking in the last few months, both road and mountain. I know there are different race classes for biking, but I'm not sure what they are or what they mean. does anyone have any insight on what it takes to attain a sponsorship/ the world of competitive cycling? I don't mean making it my career nessecarily but maybe getting a bike discount and some clothes would be cool. I'm interested mainly in MTB but also road and tri's. Ultimaly I enjoy competing and would love to get into some races.

ZeCanon

First step is to join a local team. Most teams get some sort of discount from a local shop, a kit and maybe some free stuff thrown their way every once in a while.

In mountain biking, the categories go beginner, sport, expert, semi-pro, pro. Don't really expect any super deals until you hit semi, and even then it is reliant on you joining a good team with good sponsors. There is very little individual sponsorship in mountain bike racing.

dminor 

You can do it on your own as well; but you will need at least a handful of good finishes to show your potential.

For a good look at the basics of getting sponsored, read the article I wrote in the Nov. 2005 issue of Mountain Bike Action magazine (shameless plaug ). You can order an electronic back issue (PDF file I believe) for $3.99 from their web site:

https://www.zinio.com/issue?is=107000311&ns=zno

Page 114. Good luck!

apclassic9

ps - you've missed the deadline for any big deal sponsorships....

do some local races, get some stats, and put together a race resume - you'll have an advantage with the clothing companies because you could also include your stats from running, and many of theses companys are the same.

Most of the people I know that have gone from running to MTB "just" have to learn the technical stuff - they're usually plenty fast & strong... but the technical stuff is what keeps you from crashing. Find some experts to bike with!

Little Leo

Sponsor House
https://www.sponsorhouse.com/
It works if you have a good idea of how to update profiles and stuff. You can get disconts on equipment and there are some big companys on there too.

I have one and I got some new glasses and rims.

xcracer13

yah sponsorhouse is amazing. Have one too and it got me sponsors very easily and quickly
www.sponsorhouse.com/member/freerider1

Frunkin

do you get anything worthwhile from your sponsor house thing, it seems like you sign up and get maybe 15% off some lame t-shirts

dminor 

You can get the same results as SponsorHouse with a bit of effort, good writing skills and the right attitude.

ZeCanon

Fixed

Sponsorhouse can be a useful tool, but as it become full of more and more less-than-talented athletes just looking for free stuff it continues to slide downhill. Put together a sponsor package (take a look at the things you have to fill out on sponsorhouse for an idea of what to include, and look at dminors website) and send that out during sponsor season (which is now over).

Sponsorship isn't about you, it's about the company. You need to convince them that having you riding their equipment or having their name on your back will generate business. Results, community work, attitude - they all count.

But really, talk to Dminor. He is the zen master of sponsorship from what I can tell.

Little Leo

pretty much it. but if you have some good sponsors you can get a bit more. I have 4; evs, utopia, freestyle and sunringle. i got about %35 off 29er rims with SunRingle. i like that!

Frunkin

Did you get the superflys or whatever they call them?




..yea, I joined sponsor house too. It was free, so why not.

janelson

I'll be completing a cross country bicycle trip beginning March. Sponsor House seems to be more for sponsors of races/sporting stuff/etc than solo cross country bike trips...any idea where an individual could start to look now for potential sponsors?

Thanks

dminor 

I would pick a good, worthy charity that you could designate that so much money per mile would go toward it, then draft a proposal to shop around to local merchants, businesses, banks, etc. to pledge so much per mile of your trip that you complete.

epon

Does someone need to register with their city to take donations on that basis or have a seperate bank account for it ?

xcracer13

Sponsorhouse. This is only the 200th time a thread like this has been posted.

epon

sponsorhouse looks like its mainly for competitive riders.

RIC0

make up a racer resume and send it to all the companies you want to deal with, I did and it worked out well for me in the 2008 season.

Frunkin

WOOOO!!1!!!1!11
Dude Sun Ringle, and Motortabs sponser me! w00t.
Sponsor House works kinda!