Supporting Racers/Sponsorship

[mjbabcock]

There are some great people locally who I would like to sponsor with a bike and I was wondering what others had done in the past. I've read the past that T. Kellogg provided riders a frame at the start of the season that they could then work off (with wins) or buy out at the end of the season.

Anyone else care to share their "sponsorship" arrangements. I'd be particularly interested in what didn't work so I don't make the same mistake.

[e-RICHIE]

Anyone else care to share their "sponsorship" arrangements. I'd be particularly interested in what didn't work so I don't make the same mistake.

make a long term commitment atmo.
if you do it for one year it's called a donation.

[mjbabcock]

Agreed on the commitment aspect

That being the case, did you build up a "fleet" of team bikes that are provided to different riders each year? I seem to remember you saying that your cross rider (Will?) was on a bike that had been raced by someone else in years prior.

[e-RICHIE]

Agreed on the commitment aspect

That being the case, did you build up a "fleet" of team bikes that are provided to different riders each year? I seem to remember you saying that your cross rider (Will?) was on a bike that had been raced by someone else in years prior.

i try to get at least 2 seasons out of a frame no matter who uses it.
we recycle as much as possible, and repaint is also an option, though
a last resort. in all the years we have had a 'cross team, only 2 riders
used the size willy needed, and i had to repo a 90s frame from a past
national champion so he'd have a backup bicycle for worlds.

[SteveP]

mj,
what is yr connection?
bike business?
local company?
yr kid races?
just wanna support a program?
have money to spend?


fundamental questions regarding intent to set ground rules.

[mjbabcock]

I'm a small time framebuilder who is happy building a dozen frames a year. I'm no prime time act like many who post here and my lack of self promotion reflects that.

That being said, I target a "buy local" movement that has caught on locally. I'd like to offer support to locals both as a means of marketing and as a means of giving back. I've been on the sales end of the bike thing for two decades and ive been racing even longer. I enjoy the people as much as anything and want to stay involved.

[e-RICHIE]

I'm a small time framebuilder who is happy building a dozen frames a year. I'm no prime time act like many who post here and my lack of self promotion reflects that.

That being said, I target a "buy local" movement that has caught on locally. I'd like to offer support to locals both as a means of marketing and as a means of giving back. I've been on the sales end of the bike thing for two decades and ive been racing even longer. I enjoy the people as much as anything and want to stay involved.

mike - with an output of one per month there's not alot of
wiggle room to cut prices or increase production in order
to get a frame under a rider atmo. yes? no?

[Jonathan]

Steve, Richie,

you guys can answer this from different directions. How do ask your elite riders to make a multi year commitment when the road season is probably the important part of the year. Can the elite cats always get free for cross season?

[SteveP]

my side
i can provide some help with elite racers for road season. i have good industry support and very little money but long history. the team provides a lot of equipment to the elite guys and a few shekels where best needed.
a few guys race cross but i am happy to lease them out to other programs if the fit is right. i cannot support cross despite giving birth to tim johnson as a bike racer.

my advice to mike is pick a couple of good local young riders and sell them a bike at discount. start like this and if it works it can grow.
in my opinion it is inadviseable to sink personal money into these programs unless it is very clear that you are making a donation... and you have the money to spend.

it would be nice to see a few good local riders on yr bike i am sure.
good luck and keep us in the loop.

in my opinion if you " lend " a bike or any expensive equipment to anyone it is eternally owned by the team...not the rider. i think this is important. i can always find a home for a 2 yr old race bike...

my riders commit to me in sept for the upcoming season- handshake agreement but very clear on both sides. clarity is important.

[mjbabcock]

Steve and e-Richie, thanks for the perspective.

I like the idea of having the rider pay the cost of the bike but then they are outright owners and I don't have bikes for the coming season. With low production levels, it seems as if I may be better off keeping "team bikes" for reuse.

Great points on establishing the details early on so that the end of the season doesn't roll around with two people thinking they own one bike.

As far as build kits go, are you soliciting SRAM/Shimano directly or are you sourcing through distributors and product reps. I've got some older functional stuff I can use for now but I'd like to start developing relationships early on.

[e-RICHIE]

Steve and e-Richie, thanks for the perspective.

I like the idea of having the rider pay the cost of the bike but then they are outright owners and I don't have bikes for the coming season. With low production levels, it seems as if I may be better off keeping "team bikes" for

by all means do NOT relinquish the bicycles.
you are at the very front end of a program.
if/when these cats pull for you, adjust accordingly.
now, it's you who are doing them the favor atmo.

As far as build kits go, are you soliciting SRAM/Shimano directly or are you sourcing through distributors and product reps. I've got some older functional stuff I can use for now but I'd like to start developing relationships early on.

we're a totally supported/sponsored 'cross team and have these fine parts atmo -
Oval Concepts stems, 'bars, and seatposts
Selle San Marco Aspide saddles
Cane Creek headsets and brakes
Sram groups
Challenge tires
Cole wheels
Verge kits
Rudy Project helmets and eyewear
Crank Brothers Candy Ti's
Wippermann chains

[SteveP]

it takes awhile to build connections/ credibility for actual support.
until then in my opinion let the guys get used to ultegra or rival stuff.
its plenty good enough to race on.

some new racers get equipment crazy.
yr best task is to counter this with functionality.
" use this, its good enough for you.." comes in handy.